UAE enhances global role of women in consolidating security and building peace

 

In the area of empowering women and actively involving them in the sphere of peace and security, the UAE has a demonstrated history of pioneering and innovative national programmes.

With its start in 2019, it becomes the first nation in the Gulf Cooperation Council to have a national programme to promote the implementation of international obligations on women, peace, and security. The initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak to promote women's security and emancipation.

Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, the Deputy Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, emphasised that the UAE plays a very significant role in supporting the agenda of women, peace, and security within the framework of the United Nations.

Its non-permanent membership in the Security Council for the years 2022–2023 and close cooperation between various Organizations are constantly seeking to emphasise the importance of women's activism. In order to strengthen international security and take part in de-conflicting, peacekeeping, and post-war discussions, women play a crucial and necessary role.

"Women in the UAE have a distinguished position that we are proud of, and for their great contribution and achievements to the civilised renaissance and development process of the UAE, a positive impact that we see over the past fifty years, and undoubtedly, they will continue to play their essential role for the next fifty," he said in an exclusive statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM.

As confirmed by Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Political Affairs, Permanent Representative of the State to the United Nations, and member of the Academy's Board of Trustees, Anwar Gargash stated that the UAE's presidency of the council will focus on empowering women in all fields during its tenure as the Security Council's chair last March.

The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy's deputy director general continued by pointing out the numerous initiatives the UAE has taken to empower women, effectively engage them in the consolidation of security and peace, and provide them the chance to contribute to the creation of peaceful societies. The significance of women's contributions to peace and security has been stressed by the UN.

At the level of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, he said, the UAE is the first country to start a national programme to promote the implementation of international obligations on women, peace, and security. The "Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Initiative to Empower Women in Peace and Security," a groundbreaking training programme, was introduced in 2019. Its goal is to increase the capacities of women in the global military, security, and peace sectors.

The programme is based on a memorandum of understanding that the Ministry of Defense, the General Women's Union, and UN Women signed in 2018. This document confirms the confidence of international institutions in the UAE's ability to build and develop Women's capabilities not only locally but also regionally and globally.

He emphasised the importance of women in all professions as one of the cornerstones of the development vision that guides society in all of these efforts. Contributing to their capacity-building, skill-development, and eagerness to increase their worldwide involvement is a crucial component of the plan to create safe and stable societies.

He stated the following in regard to the initiatives and programmes of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in the area of enhancing the role of women in diplomatic work intended to enhance security and peace: "We are proud in the academy to be one of the stations of the third batch training programme, which included 140 trainees from Arab and African countries, where this batch raised the total number of trainees. 497 trainees are involved in the Fatima Bint Mubarak Initiative for Women, Peace, and Security.

He said, "This serves as a confirmation of the Academy's dedication to empowering women, helping them enhance their diplomatic abilities, and expanding their visibility in global fora. Women's Roles in Diplomacy."