UAE launches first GCC’s Action Plan on Women, Peace, Security

Abu Dhabi: Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, today launched the UAE National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The landmark launch is the first for a GCC country and signifies the UAE’s commitment to advancing the role of women in peace and security.

On this occasion, Sheikha Fatima said, “I commend the efforts of the General Women’s Union and all national entities; federal, local, and civil society organisations, for their work on the UAE National Action Plan. I would also like to commend the role that UN Women plays in meeting the global commitments towards women, peace, and security. And its position as a global champion of women and girls.”

She added, “We have never lost sight of Arab women or all women of the world in our developmental vision to build their capabilities and develop their skills in all sectors, as well as extend a helping hand to all women at every juncture. The UAE works to strengthen international partnerships and global institutional frameworks that consolidate gender equality, collaboration and partnership, and advancement of women.

“Our nation also continues to support humanitarian organisations at regional and global levels, to advance women’s work and contribute to improving the lives of women as part of building safe and stable societies.”

Sheikha Fatima continued, “In this context, I would like to express my confidence in the ability of women to establish peace and security. We continue to support women, so that they can overcome all obstacles that may stand in their way and make influential contributions to strengthen the culture of dialogue and peace, and to achieve security, stability and development for their communities and the world.”

She explained, “As we start The Year of the 50th in the UAE, we are all proud that our country is making outstanding achievements and launching pioneering initiatives to support and empower women, which has earned it a place among the most progressive countries in the world. The UAE continues to support the less fortunate around the world in line with the vision of the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his brothers the rulers of the Emirates, who developed an enduring approach that rests on union, hope, optimism, good planning, and investment of opportunities.”

Sheikha Fatima affirmed that the UAE has reached advanced levels in women’s empowerment and is a regional leader on of a number of global indicators.

“This was achieved with the enlightened vision and leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; who are all keen to integrate the protection of women’s rights and interests into the legislation of the UAE and empower women to attain leadership and decision-making positions.”

Sheikha Fatima went on to say, “We look forward to the UAE National Action Plan as an opportunity to discover more avenues for international collaboration, exchange of experiences, joint efforts, programmes and initiatives. Ones that contribute to narrowing the development gap between women in different countries and gives more space for women to participate and overcome the existing challenges and cross over to opportunities that achieve peace, prosperity, and progress.”

She concluded, “The UAE is committed to promoting equality between men and women as a key UAE policy and supports the important role that women play in advancing the process of sustainable development. We also affirm the UAE’s support of UN Women’s programs and initiatives that build a better future for women in the UAE and around the world.”

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said, “The UAE believes in the important and fundamental role of women across all sectors, as one of the pillars of development that leads all societies to progress and prosperity.”

He added that the launch of the plan is an affirmation of the importance of the roles that women play in these sectors.

Sheikh Abdullah stated that the UAE, guided by its leadership, has a firm commitment towards achieving gender equality and enhancing the role of women in society, “We are proud that women in the UAE have become a symbol of our national achievements at various levels. “

He also congratulated Sheikha Fatima on the successful launch of the UAE National Action Plan.

For her part, Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women’s Union, said that the launch of the plan represents a major leap in promoting internationally recognised standards for the participation of women in the peace and security, in a way that embodies the ambition of the UAE, and its growing leadership position on the women, peace and security agenda.

She added that the UAE National Plan launch is part of the nation’s vision for the future and its endeavor to support and empower women and girls at the global level, with the support, guidance, wise leadership, and the enlightened vision of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

She noted that the plan aims to respond to gender perspectives in foreign policies, especially those related to humanitarian aid for women and girls, and to prevent and combat violent extremism, as well as plan for emergency response and crisis situations, incorporate gender analysis into the scope of international peace efforts, as well as promote gender equality in humanitarian aid.

It also aims to achieve effective participation of women in conflict prevention, increase their participation in peacebuilding, train women military officers, as well as enhance women’s participation in politics in the country. The UAE National Action Plan supports the women, peace and security agenda through national and international programs, and empowering decision-makers in the GCC and the international community to support women’s contributions to peace building.

With this launch, the UAE joins 84 nations which all launched national plans in support of the women, peace and security agenda which is gaining worldwide recognition as a global priority.

Commenting on the launch, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, remarked, “As the first Gulf country to develop a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, the UAE has reaffirmed the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction.”

14 national entities including federal, local and civil society institutions participated in the preparation of the UAE National Action Plan, including the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, the Ministry of Culture and Youth, the Ministry of Education, the General Women’s Union, the Islamic Affairs and Endowments Authority, The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, the Federal National Council, and the UAE Gender Balance Council, with technical support from the UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC.