A teacher is proud of her former nursery school student serving the country

Our readers have their say on former students, the travails of fatherhood, equal opportunities for women and Brexit

Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, says gender quotas help close gender gap. Pawan Singh / The National

Regarding Kelly Clarke's report Global Women's Forum Dubai: gender quotas will fast-track women empowerment agenda, says UN diplomat (February 17): I am so proud of all that Lana Nusseibeh is doing for the UAE. She was my student in nursery school.

Josie G Nabti, Abu Dhabi

A good father makes his child laugh despite falling bombs 

With regards the report Watch: Syrian father teaches daughter, 3, to laugh as bombs fall (February 18): we used do that too in Lebanon. I remember saying the same to my younger cousin while hiding in the house from the bombs. Wars should stop.

Christiane Najm Beyrouthy, Beirut

Behind that laughter of the father there is great sorrow which breaks my heart as a parent.

Mahnaaz Sheikh, Goa

No child deserves this. This is so sad what is happening there.

Neeha Junaid Shaikh, Abu Dhabi

This is absolutely heartbreaking. May god bless this family and keep all children safe.

Davina Munro, Dubai

Firefighting robots: whatever it takes to put out those blazes

Regarding Rory Reynolds's article Abu Dhabi tests jet-powered firefighting robot (February 17): this is really high class technology if the robot is really adept at tackling blazes in road and metro tunnels, chemical factories and oil refineries.

Qazi Noman Ali, Abu Dhabi

Post Brexit, you just have to make your bed the way you lay in it

In regards to Brexit: UK won't accept 'level playing field' ruled by EU (February 17): they should not have left the EU then. This is their own doing. As we say, the way you make your bed is the way you lay in it.

Tanya Milbourne, Dubai

EU politicians would not know what a level playing field was if it smacked them in the face. That is why the UK rightly or wrongly voted to leave.

Phil Birkett, Dubai

No woman should have to prove herself any more than a man does

With regard to Shuchita Gautam's piece Global Women's Forum Dubai: UAE's first royal pilot wants to see more women in aviation (February 17): women should not have to strive harder to prove themselves. It is a wrong perception. Women should not need to make more of an effort than men. Why is it so hard for people to accept equality at any and all workplaces?

Stefan Wieland, Dubai