Women have a major role in solving conflicts, say experts
abu dhabi — Women must actively engage in international negotiations alongside men to resolve conflicts, fight terrorism and secure world peace, a top UAE anti-extremism official has said.
Maqsoud Kruse, executive director of Hedayah, an Abu Dhabi international centre of excellence for countering violent extremism, said policy makers and practitioners need to increase and empower the role and responsibility of women in combating extremism.
“Women must be engaged at all levels, as they represent an effective medium against intolerance and extremism, and can act as positive agents of change to prevent radicalisation,” Kruse said during her keynote speech at the interactive workshop titled ‘Mena Diplomacy Dialogue: The Role of Gender in Foreign and Security Policy’.
The workshop was organised by the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA) in conjunction with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), Hedayah, and the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Dr Nawal Al Hosany, deputy director-general of the EDA, said: “The UAE is an integral global player in women’s empowerment and the promotion of tolerance and peace and there is growing evidence about the increase of women in all fields including diplomacy.
A panel discussion on ‘Gender Perspectives in International Peace and Security’ highlighted the role of women in the community and their importance in diplomacy and resolving conflicts.
Dominique Mineur, ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the UAE and one of the panellists, said: “Women are complementary and very essential in issues of negotiations because they know the after effects of conflicts and what needs to be done to families of the victims.”
The workshop was attended by more than 100 students of diplomacy and young leaders.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com