Reem Al Hashemi: Empowering Emirati women in sovereign sectors is a strategic investment that enhances national readiness and creates global impact

Abu Dhabi, 4 May / WAM / Her Excellency Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, stressed the importance of preparing leaders who possess a mix of military experience and academic vision, reflecting the depth of the national vision in the United Arab Emirates, in light of the rapid geopolitical transformations and the complex security and strategic challenges they pose.

She added that the rapid geopolitical transformations, the changing balance of power, and the forms of modern conflicts, including cyber, media, and intelligence wars, have led to the strengthening of the interconnection between military, economic, and political power, noting that this reality requires the preparation of leaders who possess the ability to do strategic analysis, make decisive decisions, and understand changing international policies.

Her Excellency said, in an interview with the Zayed Military University newspaper, that military education in the UAE contributes a qualitative role in refining women’s leadership and decision-making skills, and gives women opportunities that are completely different from traditional paths. It is not just a study, but a practical experience to refine leadership and decision-making skills. It also contributes to building a leadership personality capable of strategic thinking and working under pressure, and goes beyond theoretical education to focus on building practical capabilities that are compatible with the requirements of the security and military reality.

She stressed that the wise leadership has paid great attention to Emirati women since the founding of the state, believing in their pivotal role in building and developing the nation, and was keen to empower them in various fields, including the military field, in which Emirati women have demonstrated an honorable presence and high competence that reflects the spirit of responsibility and belonging.

She added that the establishment of the Khawla Bint Al Azwar Military School as the first military college for women in the Gulf was a turning point, strengthening the role of Emirati women in defending the homeland and participating in peacekeeping missions internationally.

Below is the text of the dialogue:

Q: In light of the rapid geopolitical transformations, what is the importance of preparing leaders with integrated military and academic experience?

A: In light of the rapid geopolitical transformations and the complex security and strategic challenges they pose, the importance of preparing leaders who possess a mixture of military experience and academic vision increases, which reflects the depth of the national vision in the United Arab Emirates.

Rapid geopolitical transformations, changing balances of power, and modern forms of conflicts, including cyber, media, and intelligence wars, have strengthened the interconnection between military, economic, and political power. This reality requires the preparation of leaders who possess the ability to do strategic analysis, make decisive decisions, and understand changing international policies.

When leaders combine military qualifications with an academic background in administration, politics, and international relations, they become more efficient in managing complex crises, which represents a strategic necessity that enhances the UAE’s ability to deal with multiple challenges efficiently, and reflects that leadership depends on skill, efficiency, and the ability to achieve.

Q: How does military education in the UAE contribute to refining women’s leadership and decision-making skills?

A: Military education in the UAE contributes a qualitative role in refining women’s leadership and decision-making skills, through an integrated training environment that differs fundamentally from traditional education paths, whether in terms of the nature of qualification or the level of readiness required.

Military education in the UAE gives women opportunities that are completely different from traditional paths. It is not just study, but rather practical experience to hone leadership and decision-making skills. The training includes a combination of field training, academic study, and military discipline, which enhances the ability to make decisions quickly and accurately.

It also contributes to building a leadership personality capable of thinking strategically and working under pressure, and goes beyond theoretical education to focus on building practical capabilities that are compatible with the requirements of the security and military reality.

Q: How do you compare the development of Emirati women’s presence in the sovereign sectors, especially the military and educational?

A: Since the founding of the United Arab Emirates, the wise leadership has paid great attention to Emirati women, believing in their pivotal role in building and developing the nation, and has been keen to empower them in various fields, including the military field, in which Emirati women have demonstrated an honorable presence and high competence that reflect the spirit of responsibility and belonging.

With the establishment of the Union, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, made consolidating security, stability and achieving prosperity a priority for all sons and daughters of the nation.

The establishment of the Khawla Bint Al Azwar Military School as the first military college for women in the Gulf was a turning point that strengthened the role of Emirati women in defending the homeland and participating in peacekeeping missions internationally.

The efforts 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, also played a prominent role in supporting women’s education and empowerment, which contributed to achieving pioneering achievements at various levels.

The presence of Emirati women in the sovereign sectors, especially the military and educational, reflects a qualitative development based on competence and merit, within an institutional approach that promotes equal opportunities.

Emirati women have proven their competence through their involvement in the armed forces and national and humanitarian missions, which reflects the comprehensiveness of the concept of national security and the integration of roles between men and women.

As for the educational sector, Emirati women have formed a fundamental pillar in building human capital, whether through their academic and educational role or through leadership and decision-making positions. They have also contributed to developing curricula, promoting innovation, and consolidating the values ​​of identity and openness, which represents a strategic investment in future generations.

Q: How does integrating male and female candidates into a unified military training environment contribute to enhancing leadership competency?

A: The experience of Zayed Military University in integrating male and female candidates within a unified military training environment represents a qualitative step at the regional level, not only in terms of the organizational dimension, but also in terms of the philosophy of preparing defense and security leaders in accordance with the concept of integrated national partnership.

This is not limited to military training only, but is a real experience for creating leaders capable of working in a team spirit and making decisions within a competitive environment that simulates field reality.

This integration enhances participatory leadership and confirms that the military decision is not individual, but rather the product of diversity of visions and experiences.

At the educational level, military education is transformed from mere training to building an integrated leadership personality. It also contributes to developing the values ​​of discipline, mutual respect, communication skills, and trust, and qualifying cadres capable of managing diverse teams efficiently within a unified work system.

Q: What is the importance of investing in educating Emirati women in military and security tracks?

A: Investing in the education of Emirati women in the military and security tracks is a strategic choice that goes beyond the sectoral dimension, to become an essential pillar in enhancing the country’s human capital and consolidating its regional and international standing. It is not just a sectoral trend, but rather reflects a deep understanding of the importance of diversifying national expertise and building strong and qualified human capital.

When women enter these fields, they do not fill vacant seats, but rather add a new intellectual and competency system that enhances the readiness of security and military institutions, and supports innovation and fresh thinking in facing challenges.

Q: How do Emirati women leaders enhance the country’s presence in humanitarian work and international development?

A: The UAE has established its global presence in humanitarian and development work, not only through resources, but also thanks to the efficiency of the Emirati human element, which is capable of planning and implementing in the most difficult circumstances, and in times of crises and disasters.

What makes the role more powerful is the participation of Emirati women leaders, as they not only manage teams, but also lead strategic planning and field implementation processes efficiently.

We witnessed a vivid example of the presence of Emirati female doctors in field hospitals, where they provided medical care in difficult circumstances and left a profound humanitarian impact.

The UAE also supports the Women, Peace and Security agenda of the United Nations, and enhances its participation in preventing conflicts, building peace, protecting women, and ensuring their rights to relief and recovery.

Q: How can female graduates of Zayed Military University contribute to supporting the defense and security system?

A: Zayed Military University graduates are not just officers, but leaders with a strategic mentality that combines military discipline and academic depth, which qualifies them to make decisions efficiently in complex and changing environments.

Their contribution is not limited to field readiness, but extends to strengthening a modern defense system based on analysis, risk management, and sustainable thinking.

It also reinforces the conviction that the strength of the system lies in diversity and efficiency, and that protecting the nation is a responsibility measured by the ability to achieve.

Q: How do you see the future of Emirati women’s leadership in sovereign sectors during the next decade?

A: If we want to anticipate the features of the next decade, Emirati women’s leadership is likely to move from the stage of influential presence to the stage of cross-sector strategic influence, which reflects the maturity of the institutional experience in the United Arab Emirates.

It is expected that these leaderships will be characterized by key characteristics, most notably multidisciplinary leadership, an effective international presence, and institutional foundations based on competence and merit, in addition to sustainable cognitive empowerment and the ability to make decisions in complex, high-risk environments with efficiency and confidence.

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