Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s supreme leadership has given great attention to UAE women so as to empower them to be on an equal footing with their male counterparts in all fields, including military, said Lieutenant Colonel Afra Saeed Al Falasi, Commander of Khawla Bint Al Azwar Military School.
She made her remarks in a speech to the “Dira’ Al Watan” magazine, Nation Shield, the journal of the Armed Forces.
Lt. Col. Al Falasi said Emirati women proved their competence and capability of working in all fields, including military, thus deserving the trust bestowed upon them by the supreme leadership.
Speaking about Khawla Bint Al Azwar Military School as the Gulf region’s first military college for women, Al Falasi said: “Since 1991, women have also played a role in the defence of the nation, when the Khawla Bint al Azwar Military School was founded in line with the directives of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to prepare young women for careers in the military.”
The most significant accomplishment towards gender equality in the UAE, and even the region, is most visible through women’s participation in the military. Pursuant the 1991 Gulf War, Emirati women expressed a desire for preparation in defending their country. Subsequently, the Gulf region’s first military college for women – the Khawla bint Al Azwar Training College was established along with women’s corps within the Armed Forces. Females are granted the same training and responsibilities as their male counterparts, and also play a major role in humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping operations to countries in need, she added.
Al Falasi praised the efforts and support extended by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyah, as well as Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the UAE General Women’s Union.
She noted that the Khawla Bint Al Azwar Military School (KBAS) realizes the interest the UAE leadership takes in the role UAE females can play in serving and defending the UAE’s interests as well as in the UAE’s contributions to the protection of international peace around the world and providing humanitarian aid to countries in times of crises and disasters.
