"Women’s Union" The fifth training program is launched within the initiative of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak to empower women in peace and security

ABU DHABI, 28 October / WAM / Under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates”, President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, the General Women’s Union launched the fifth training program within the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative to Empower Women in Peace and Security, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, and in coordination with the UN Women’s Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in Abu Dhabi.

The new batch includes 18 countries: the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Angola, Yemen, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Chad, Liberia, Mali, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Paraguay, and Eswatini, meeting in the UAE to receive training within an integrated program aimed at building women’s capabilities and qualifying participants to play an effective role. In peace, security and development efforts in their countries.

This pioneering initiative comes as an embodiment of the UAE’s vision to empower women and enhance their participation in the process of development and peacemaking, and to consolidate a national approach that believes in their role as an essential partner in building and prospering societies, and as a continuation of the country’s journey in supporting global efforts to achieve equality and empower women in various fields, locally, regionally and internationally.

The launch of this session also coincides with the twenty-five anniversary of the issuance of Security Council Resolution No. 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which was adopted by the Council in October 2000.

Her Excellency Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the General Women’s Union, said that the launch of the fifth batch of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative to Empower Women in Peace and Security represents a new strategic milestone in the process of giving and empowerment, the foundations of which were laid by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates.” Since the launch of the program in 2019, it has become a global platform for building women’s capabilities and enhancing women’s presence in peace processes and decision-making, thus consolidating The UAE’s position as a major supporter of women’s empowerment at the regional and international levels, and we aspire through this new batch for the trainees to contribute to strengthening the foundations of security and stability in their countries, and spreading the culture of peace and sustainable development around the world.

It is planned that the training program for the fifth batch will extend over a period of nine weeks, with the first seven weeks witnessing intensive military training, while the following two weeks will be allocated to training on building and peacekeeping measures.

All training activities are held at the Khawla Bint Al Azwar Military Academy for Women in Abu Dhabi, affiliated with the Ministry of Defence, in an integrated environment that allows participants to acquire practical skills and specialized knowledge that qualify them to play effective roles in the fields of security and peace.

For her part, Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, said that the successive installments of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s initiative to empower women in peace and security embody the strength of the strategic partnership between the UAE and UN Women, and reflect the continued commitment of both sides to supporting women and enabling them to play pivotal roles in their societies and in peace and security efforts at the regional and global levels.

She added that the initiative has become a global platform for qualifying women leaders and refining their skills in the fields of peacebuilding and development, while the successes achieved through these payments reflect the enlightened vision of the UAE leadership and its deep belief that empowering women is the basis for achieving security and prosperity.

Al Shehhi explained that the launch of the Strategic Partnership Framework (2024-2027) between the UAE and UN Women confirms this commitment and opens new horizons for enhancing cooperation in the areas of women’s empowerment, peace, and sustainable development at the regional and global levels.

The UAE is considered one of the world’s leading countries in empowering women in the fields of peace and security, as it works to qualify female competencies and expand their participation in the military sector, which contributes to supporting international efforts to implement Security Council Resolution No. 1325, and enhance the pivotal role of women in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and building safer and more stable societies.

More than 600 trainees graduated from the program across its four batches.

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