UAE: Give women a role in peace efforts

UAE’s ambassador to UN links empowerment of women to conflict prevention globally

The UAE underscored the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment in conflict prevention during the United Nations Security Council’s Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

“Women’s meaningful participation is at the heart of the implementation of the WPS agenda,” Lana Nussaibah, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, said.

“This includes recognising women’s agency and the vital roles played by women in local communities, as well as the inclusion of women in political and peace processes, and institution-building.

“The UAE will continue to promote women’s participation as a key principle of our global peace and security efforts and is committed to working towards the effective implementation of the WPS agenda,” she added.

Challenges

Nussaibah noted that the implementation of the agenda on the ground remained a challenge due to a confluence of threats, including the rise in terrorism and extremism, the targeting of women and girls in conflict zones, and the protracted nature of crises today.

In addition, she cited the disappointingly low number of women in peacebuilding and mediation efforts and called on the international community to commit to improving this by tying financial contributions to a demand that women’s participation in peace processes reach 50 per cent.

Acknowledging the importance of financial support to effectively implement the WPS agenda, Nussaibah highlighted the UAE’s “100% Women Policy”.

‘100% Women Policy’

The policy aims to ensure that by 2021, 100 per cent of bilateral and multilateral foreign assistance will target or integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment as key components of the Ministry’s policy and programming.

“Research continues to demonstrate the direct relationship between gender equality and the prevention of conflict, and we believe that this policy is a real and tangible way to achieve this,” she added.

Nussaibah urged the UN to use part of the UAE’s 2018 contribution of $5 million to UN Women to implement the WPS agenda.

Additionally, she noted that in response to UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres’ call to increase the number of women in peacekeeping, the UAE General Women’s Union, Ministry of Defence, and UN Women will organise a military and peacekeeping training for Arab women – the first of its kind in the region.

Nussaibah also congratulate Nadia Murad and Dr Denis Mukwege on their being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.