Jacqueline O’Neill, Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security, today visited the Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School on the sidelines of her participation in the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security, which will begin on 8th September, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).
Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security was received by Lt. Colonel Afra Saeed Al Falasi, Commander of Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School. The two sides discussed the UAE’s female empowerment efforts and the role of Emirati women in the fields of defence, security, humanitarian action and peacekeeping missions.
O’Neill was briefed on the training programme for a group of women from Arab countries, Asia and Africa on peacekeeping missions, which is organised under a Memorandum of Understanding between the GWU and UN Women under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima, as well as the efforts of the UN Women Liaison Office in Abu Dhabi to develop the capabilities of Arab women in the military field and peacekeeping missions.
During the visit, the Canadian official was also briefed about the programmes of the Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School’s training centre.
O’Neill lauded the UAE’s pioneering experience in establishing the school, which is the first military school for women in the country and the Gulf Cooperation Council region, especially as it has enabled women to become involved in defending their country, giving them equal status to men.
