More Emirati women in army now
dubai — Homeland security and the military were once a male bastion, but more Emirati women are now joining the forces and climbing the ranks, which is an encouraging sign, according to officials.
“When the UAE was formed, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a number of priorities, including achieving security and prosperity for all men and women,” said Dr Zubaida Jassim Al Maazmi, assistant lecturer at the Abu Dhabi Police College.
Col Afrah Al Saeed Al Falasi, commander of Khawla Bint Azwar Military School, the first women’s military school, said she is proud to see women working in top positions. “If a woman can prove she is better in a certain position then she should have the position. It depends on her education and ability to deliver. If the person is motivated, she can occupy any rank, it’s not about the gender.”
“In the beginning, we faced problems, including perception about women officers, but now things have changed. We are witnessing more families supporting their sons and daughters to join the armed forces,” Al Falasi said.
Top military officials said more women bring balance to the armed forces and make them effective.
abu dhabi — The number of women in military, armed forces and homeland security is rapidly increasing in the UAE, as more Emirati women are now seeking life-long careers in the ‘maledominated’ sectors.
Dr Ayesha Sultan Mohammed Al Dhaheri, deputy commander of the Armed Forces Medical Services Corps, shared her inspirational onthe-ground experience while she was helping protect women, men and children in areas of war, torment and conflict, including Kosovo in 1999, Afghanistan, and Yemen in 2015.
“It takes the right woman and the right leadership to succeed in this field because the support from our leaders is crucial.
“It was found that women are more capable of communicating with victims — it isn’t just about providing medical care, but also about helping those in the UAEbuilt refugee camps, which had more than 50,000 refugees.
“Through communication, we realised we do have something valuable to add, we have a different perspective, other methodologies or tools that give victims solutions. We have an important ability — being able to communicate with men, women and children — especially in conservative communities facing conflict.”
She said that although going on the ground is a risk to her life: “It is the only way. It is an experience that encourages many other women.”
Dr Al Dhaheri said that she, along with a group of Emirati women, have tried to empower other women in dangerous areas.
She said there has been a rapid increase since 2015, in the number of Emirati women helping victims in war. “While men are fighting, women are right there behind them — helping ease the suffering.”
Dr Zubaida Jassim Al Maazmi, assistant lecturer at the Abu Dhabi Police College, said more Emirati women are now seeking careers in the police force. “Since the establishment of the federation of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a number of priorities, including achieving security and prosperity for all men and women.
“If you read the Constitution, you will find that all articles speak about men and women, the constitution gave women the right to be equal to men in all aspects in life,” said Dr Al Maazmi, who joined the Ministry of Interior (MoI) when she was just 18.
Colonel Afrah Al Saeed Al Falasi, commander of Khawla Bint Azwar Military School, said she is proud to see women working in highlevel positions. “Since the establishment of our military school in 1990, many women have graduated and are working in prominent roles in the military.”
Khawla Bint Azwar Military
Gender balance has been achieved in all areas based on the wise leadership’s belief that the daughters of the UAE are partners to its sons, in the process of developing the nation.”
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairwoman, General Women’s Union
School is not only the first female military school in the UAE but the first in the GCC. “Every female personnel working in the military has graduated from this school.”
She said women in the UAE are privileged to have the solid support of the government.
“It’s difficult differentiating between men and women, if a woman can prove she is better in a certain position, then she should have that position — according to her capabilities, qualities and education. So it is up to the person to occupy a certain rank, it’s not about the gender.”
She said that although societies may often question a woman’s role in the military, it has not held her back from working vigorously in what she loves, which is representing and defending her homeland. “Now times have changed, now we are witnessing more families preparing both their sons and daughters to join the Armed Forces.”
Major Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, director of project management and shared services and the director of child protection centre at the MoI, said: “There is no provision from the law preventing women to work in any field.”
“If you look at the MoI, you will find women working in various fields, we do not have any discrimination in gender. I have never heard that something should be done by a man or should be done by a woman. We are equal. The question should be: Are you qualified? Not whether you are a woman?”
Shaima Abdulla Al Hosani, analyst in the international affairs department at the Ministry of Defence, said securing peace and stability in the GCC requires the solid input from both men and women.
She said she is proud to see the Emirati women taking-on powerful roles. “Today, we are competing globally for the first place, and I am proud to say that a third of the human capacity at the Ministry of Defense are women.”
She said that although she witnessed challenges, she is happy to be where she is today.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
If you read the constitution, you will find that all articles speak about men and women, the constitution gave women the right to be equal to men in all aspects of life.” Dr Zubaida Al Maazmi, assistant lecturer, Abu Dhabi Police College
Through communication, we realised we do have something valuable to add, we have a different perspective that gives victims solutions.” Dr Ayesha Al Dhaheri, deputy commander, Armed Forces Medical Services Corps
If a woman can prove she is better in a certain position, then she should have this position — according to her capabilities, qualities and education.” Colonel Afrah Al Saeed Al Falasi, commander of Khawla Bint Azwar Military School
Today, we are competing globally for the first place, and I am proud to say that a third of the human capacity at the Ministry of Defense are women.” Shaima Abdulla Al Hosani, analyst, international affairs, Ministry of Defence
We encounter negative social and cultural norms about women seeking to work in this field. Women are not even often aware that these opportunities exist because the advertisement is limited.” Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE permanent representative to the UN
If you look at the MoI, we do not have any discrimination in gender. I have never heard that something should be done by a man or should be done by a woman.” Major Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, director, project management and shared services, MoI
The UAE is not only ranked first in the GCC in gender equality, but also the first country in the Arab world to introduce a mandatory law for the representation of women in boardrooms.” Mona Al Marri, vice-president, UAE Gender Balance Council