Abu Dhabi: A conference on empowerment of women to promote international peace and security was held in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Titled “Women, Security and Peace Summit: the Gender Dimensions of International Peace and Security: Keys to Prosperity and Peace”, the conference was inaugurated by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance.
The conference discussed the key topic of women’s empowerment for peace and security, the gender dimensions of regional security challenges and the necessity of narrowing the gender gap.
The conference was held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
It highlighted the UAE’s leading role in reducing the gender gap to achieve leading positions in international competitiveness reports along with its commitment to the recommendations of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda under UN Resolution 1325.
Shaikh Nahyan said Shaikha Fatima is a leading role model for women in the world due to her clear vision for the future that stems from her authentic national, Arab and Islamic culture.
He conveyed greetings from Shaikha Fatima to participants and speakers. “This global summit is an extension of Shaikh Fatima’s immense efforts and initiatives in empowering women and enhancing their role in peace and security on the global stage,” Shaikh Nahyan said.
He added that the Mother of the Nation is among the world’s top women leaders and was honoured with the Agent of Change Award by the UN Women in recognition of her dedication to women’s empowerment and rights.
Shaikha Fatima has long championed women’s rights since she established the UAE Women’s Foundation in 1975, and has worked to promote female education with pilot initiatives.
“We are proud of Shaikha Fatima’s great role in empowering women in the UAE and the greater region and the entire world and her key role in deepening the relation between the UN and the UAE that crowned with the establishment of the UN Women Liaison Office for the Gulf region in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE,” Shaikh Nahyan said.
The conference was organised by the General Women’s Union (GWU) in cooperation with Trends Research and Advisory in Abu Dhabi, Women in International Security in Washington and the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
Reem Ebrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said empowering women would greatly reflect on promoting peace, security, social responsibility and eliminating all manifestations of violence in the world. She underlined the need for the international community to take action to put an end to poverty and economic deterioration as well as to help women when they are feel powerless in their countries affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters that lead to displacement and immigration.
Noura Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GWU, stressed that the conference aims to accelerate the integration of the working schedule of women in areas of security and peace, as well as to reduce the gender gap in the UAE, based on the directives and aspirations of the country’s wise leadership.
