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(WAM) — H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), affirmed that the entirety of UAE’s achievements in women empowerment in all fields, especially in peace and security since the issuance of the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution No. 1325 in 2000, is the result of the UAE leadership’s insightful vision.
She further explained that the worldwide recognition of the UAE’s endeavours and constant efforts to support women in the areas of peace and security is the result of decades of hard work by the General Woman’s Union in collaboration with federal and local entities, civil society organisations, and the private sector.
H.H. Sheikha Fatima said this in a speech delivered on her behalf by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, CEO and Founder of Alliances for Global Sustainability and Co-founder of Aurora50, that was aired at the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (ICWPS), which started on Thursday and will run until 10th September at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi.
Below is the full text of the speech.
Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies, esteemed guests, Since the UN Security Council issued Resolution No. 1325 in 2000, the entirety of UAE’s achievements in the field of women, peace and security is the result of our leadership’s insightful vision, represented by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, as well as Their Highnesses Members of the UAE’s Supreme Council and the Rulers of Emirates. Their collective and persistent efforts to empower women in all fields, especially in the areas of international peace and security, were phenomenal and reflected the vital role of women in this domain.
The worldwide recognition of the UAE’s endeavours and constant efforts to support the issue of women, peace and security resulted from decades of hard work by the General Woman’s Union in collaboration with federal and local entities, civil society organisations, and the private sector. That led to the launch of the Women, Peace and Security Training Programme, which was later named Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative for “Empowering Women in Peace and Security”. Hosted by Khawla Bint Al-Azwar School in Abu Dhabi, the programme aims to train women working in the military and security fields. Whether they come from other Arab countries or the other neighboring nations of the world, this initiative works on improving their performance and building worldwide support networks, which would highlight the values of tolerance amongst all countries and launch innovative initiatives that spread the messages of love, tolerance and giving so we can establish coherent and engaged societies.
The UAE’s efforts didn’t stop there. In March 2021, the UAE launched its National Plan to implement the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 1325 of 2000, the first of its kind across the Gulf Cooperation Council. The programme was an extension of the UAE’s endeavours to encourage women’s engagement in peace and security issues. Soon after, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women, Peace, and Security Centre was launched in Abu Dhabi.
Over two days, the world nations will assemble in Abu Dhabi to discuss different ways and methods to boost the role of women in peace and security through the various sessions and activities of the (ICWPS). On the third day, the Arab League’s high-level ministerial conference will be held under the theme of “Enhancing the Role of Women in war-torn and post-conflict communities: Voices/Stories from the Arab Region”. We will be gratified to listen to the creative ideas and inspirational experiences of prominent female security and peacemakers and role models whose sacrifices and dedication have boosted the international community’s confidence in what women can add to this key sector worldwide.
Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies, honourable guests, In the sense of responsibility and the brotherhood that unites us to achieve this noble goal, we would like to highlight the UAE’s continuous support for women on the international scale in the areas of peace and security. I would also like to express my absolute confidence in women’s ability to assume their well-deserved position as global peacemakers regardless of harsh circumstances and ruthless stereotypes. They can and will protect their present, shape their future and write their own history while playing their role in the progress and glory of their nations.
Allow me to greet and welcome you again to your second home, our beloved UAE, and express my sincere wishes that the ICWPS will give us a chance to reflect on what we have achieved so far on the local and global stage and to examine every opportunity and challenge on the way for a brighter future that accommodates all without any discrimination or exclusion. Through the hard work, intellect, and capabilities of both men and women, our nations will progress, and our societies will flourish.
