(Pakistan Point News - 05th May, 2019) ABU DHABI, 4th May 2019 (WAM) - H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), praised the success achieved by the Arab female peacekeepers programme, operated by UN Women in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Defence and the General Women's Union.
This came during a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi this evening to celebrate graduation of a group of Arab female peacekeepers.
In a speech read on her behalf by Major General Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE National Service and Reserve Authority, Sheikha Fatima said it was a historic moment when the UN Women - a UN entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women - selected the UAE to provide training to the group of women.
"The Arab female peacekeepers programme, hosted by the UAE, has achieved a tremendous success and exceeded all expectations, thanks to the approach started by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and followed by our wise leadership," Sheikha Fatima said.
Sheikha Fatima praised the progress achieved by the Emirati women, assuming their role in society, achieving their rightful position and contributing to the comprehensive development, side by side with their brothers the Emirati men.
She attributed the programme's success to the cooperation among the Ministry of Defence, the UN Executive Office in Abu Dhabi, the GWU and Khawala bint Al Azwar Military school, the first military academy in the UAE and GCC for women, which was founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Sheikha Fatima congratulated the graduates of the programme and urged them to work towards promoting peace and security in their countries.
In her speech, Colonel Afra Saeed Al Falasi, Commander of Khalwal bint Al Azwar Military School, thanked Sheikha Fatima for her efforts behind the programme's success.
She said the programme involved more than 134 women from seven Arab countries, who received training in peacekeeping skills.
She added that during the training, the recruits met with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, They also visited H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubrak to offer their greetings and thanks.
Among those who attended the meeting were H.H. Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Wife of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region; H.H.Sheikha Khawla bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the wife of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; H.H. Sheikha Alyazia bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the wife of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan; Sheikha Fatima bint Sahmi, and Sheikha Sheikha bint Suroor Al Nahyan, the wife of Pilot Staff-Brigadier Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE National Service and Reserve.
Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State; Noura Al Suwaidi, Director of the General Women's Union, GWU; Reem Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and a number of wives of Arab ambassadors accredited to the UAE as well as key women figures were also present.
