ISLAMABAD, May 26 President Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday that a genuine democratic process was not possible anywhere in the world without active participation of women.

Mr Zardari claimed that he was behind the successes of his assassinated wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. “Women are there behind every successful man. But here I am — a man behind a successful woman,” he said.

The president was speaking at the luncheon meeting of women parliamentarians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka who took part in the three-day National Convention of Women Parliamentarians organised by the Women's Parliamentary Caucus.

Women members of the National Assembly and Senate and lady legislators from AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and the four provinces attended the meeting.

President Zardari said women had rendered great sacrifices for socio-political and economic emancipation and empowerment in Pakistan. “The journey on the road of emancipation has not been an easy one for women in Pakistan. They have been the victims of male prejudice for a long time. The fight against male prejudice has not been an easy one. The women in Pakistan have faced great obstacles in their fight for their rights,” he said.

The convention that ended on Wednesday issued a declaration and pledged to promote the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue at multiple levels by using it as a tool for peace and security to bridge the gap between conflicting ideologies and political philosophies of 21st century.

“We will strengthen the role of women parliamentarians as catalysts of change in the ongoing geo-political situation by raising a strong and united voice for peace & stability in the country and region,” the declaration said.

It expressed concern on the spread of militancy and extremism in South Asian countries, recognising that violence and terrorism had put peace, development and stability in the region at stake. “The rise of militancy in South Asia is a source of concern and women leaders of the regions needs to play a proactive role in leading peace building and creating socially cohesive societies,” it said.

The declaration said since women and children were worst affected by natural disasters, conflict, extremism, militancy and terrorism, women had a distinct role to play in setting the peace agenda.

It stressed to work nationally, regionally and internationally with women groups, civil society and peace building structures in strengthening rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, protecting refugees and internally displace persons.

According to the text of the speech issued to the media, the president said Pakistan had made several pledges at regional and international forums for the uplift and emancipation of women and added that in 1995 during the government of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan signed the landmark Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). “The caucus of women parliamentarians should give a thought and devise a mechanism to implement the pledges made in the document on CEDAW for the uplift of women and ending all forms of discrimination against them,” he said.