Sheikha Fatima launches UAE national action plan to advance women's role in 'peace and security'

The plan will support women globally by promoting the UN Security Council Resolution 1325

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  Resolution 1325 was adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council on October 31, 2000 and addresses the impact of war on women. Wam

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  Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union today launched the UAE National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Wam

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  The UAE joins 84 nations which all launched national plans in support of the agenda. Wam

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  The UAE government is currently working to develop and implement various campaigns to raise awareness of the UAE National Action Plan. Wam

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  Campaigns include supporting female employees in the UAE government to help them secure equal representation and to ensure women’s views are factored in during the decision-making process. Wam

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  The UAE has invested $2 billion (Dh7.35bn) to develop programs related to the protection and empowerment of women and girls in 113 countries. Wam

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  Resolution 1325 was the first landmark Security Council resolution on women, peace and security. Wam

The UAE’s Mother of the Nation, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, launched a National Action Plan on women, peace and security on Tuesday.

It is the first National Action Plan developed in a GCC country aimed to empower and support women globally by promoting the UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

The UN resolution was adopted by the UN Security Council on October 31, 2000, and addresses the impact of war on women. The resolution also calls for special measures to protect women and girls from conflict-related sexual violence.

The UAE is one of 84 nations that have launched local national programmes to support the UN agenda.

"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,” said Sheikha Fatima, who is also the chairwoman of the General Women's Union, according to a statement on Wam.

“I would also like to commend the role that UN Women play in meeting the global commitments towards women, peace, and security.

"We have never lost sight of Arab women or all women of the world to build their capabilities and develop their skills in all sectors.

"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 went on to stress that the UAE leaders “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.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, congratulated Sheikha Fatima on the successful launch of the action plan.

"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 said.

Reem Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, said "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."

Matar Salem Al Dhaheri, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, said the UAE National plan will not only prepare women in the local military field, "but also in various areas of international policymaking, which guarantee women's rights in conflict and war zones, and their participation in the drafting of laws and peace negotiations that guarantee their rights and that of their families".

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".

Dr Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC, said "UN Women welcomes the UAE government’s commitment to the women, peace, and security agenda".

The UAE government is working to develop and implement various campaigns to raise awareness of the UAE National Action Plan.

Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said that the gender balance successes achieved by the UAE globally are built on constructive collaboration between all ministries and government agencies.

Major Dr Amal Sabah Qambar, Chair of the Specialised Co-ordination Committee of the Women’s Police, said that women occupy "a special importance in the areas of achieving security, stability, peace, and police work at all levels, through strengthening legislation and adopting supportive initiatives".