UAE's trailblazing women in uniform bolster unified military strength
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Today, the UAE celebrates nearly five decades of unified military strength, now bolstered by the increasing participation of women in combat, peacekeeping, and leadership roles.Established as the Gulf region's first military school for women, the Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School has been instrumental in training and empowering Emirati women for roles in national defence. In 2014, the school began welcoming female conscripts for a nine-month military training programme under the national and reserve service law. The programme, optional for women aged 18 to 30 with parental consent, encompasses basic military training, specialised skill development, and lectures on patriotic and religious matters.By 2016, the school had received its fifth batch of female conscripts, reflecting the growing interest and commitment of Emirati women to serve their nation. These recruits undergo rigorous training under the guidance of experienced female trainers, focusing on developing leadership skills, physical fitness, and a deep sense of patriotism.
Regional Impact: Training Arab Women for Peacekeeping Roles
Beyond national borders, the UAE has extended its commitment to women's empowerment through military training programmes for Arab women. In partnership with UN Women and the UAE Ministry of Defence, the Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School hosted a three-month training course aimed at preparing Arab women for participation in security and peacekeeping operations. In 2019, 134 female students from seven Arab countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, and the UAE, graduated from this programme. The curriculum covered various aspects of military sciences, such as infantry, weapons handling, combat paramedics, internal security, field engineering, physical fitness, martial arts, and topography.
Leadership Recognition and Support The efforts to integrate women into the Armed Forces have received strong support from the UAE's leadership, especially Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).Her patronage of the Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School and support for training programmes have been pivotal in empowering Emirati women to serve and command in the army. Among the pioneers is Mariam Al Mansouri, the UAE's first female fighter pilot, who led combat missions against Da'esh after graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2007.
Institutions like the Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School continue this momentum offering structured training programmes for female conscripts and preparing them for a wide range of military events.
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