Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi (SR)

Abu Dhabi, Jul 19: The UAE armed forces, from next year, will begin training hundreds of women from war-torn countries to become peacekeepers.

Women from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Senegal will be trained by the armed forces in military, medical and combat streams, after which they will be sent to their home countries as part of a UN drive to grow a force of female peacekeepers in potentially unstable countries.

Once the women graduate from the armed forces academy, they will be deployed in police, military and civilian areas to support the roles of women in managing conflict, protect local women’s rights and help reduce sexual violence.

Last year, following an agreement between the UN, UAE Ministry of Defence and the General Women’s Union, the UN programme was brought to the UAE. As reported in National, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation told the publication that the UAE will continue to advocate for the full empowerment of women, particularly under the leadership of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

This week, the ambassadors of the participating countries and members of the peacekeeping programme met in Abu Dhabi to discuss the next round of training, which will be held in Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School under the patronage of 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.

“The UAE supports initiatives that enable women to participate in peacekeeping operations around the world, because we believe in the significant role of women working in the security sector,” said Maj Gen Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon, chairman of the National Service and Reserve Authority, who attended the meeting. “We look forward to supporting the expansion of the programme to include participants from African and Asian countries, and to ensure the success of these initiatives and maximise their impact around the world,” he added.