The United Arab Emirates has handed over sets of humanitarian items to the Nigerian Army Women Corps to support their efforts towards peace, security and nation building.
The donation is part of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Peace and Security Initiative, led by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, President of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, President of Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood of the United Arab Emirates, in coordination with the United Nations Women’s Programme for Peace and Security, implemented by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence and General Women’s Union in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent to empower women in Security and Peace keeping.
The donated care packs, which includes a variety of COVID-19 personal protective equipment and clothing items, were presented through United Arab Emirates Embassy in recognition of the dedication of the Nigerian Army Women Corps towards peace and security.
During the handover at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja on Friday, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Fahad Al Taffaq said “This humanitarian gesture is a demonstration of UAE’s commitment towards encouraging equal and effective participation of women across vital sectors particularly in security and peace building efforts globally.”
He said: “Over the years, the UAE has intensified partnership with regional and international bodies to promote gender inclusivity across all sectors, particularly in the military. Most notably in September 2020 the UN Women announced the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women, Peace and Security Initiative, which is a UN partnership with the UAE to train and build women’s capacities in the military, security and peace sectors.
“Also since 2016, the UAE has dedicated $322 million for humanitarian activities focused on women and girl child and the UAE is surging ahead remarkably in promoting gender parity and seeing that women play a prominent role in the country’s growth.”
He added that it was pertinent for him to acknowledge and commend the unrelenting efforts and excellent work of the Nigerian Army and particularly members of the Nigerian Army Women Corps for their selfless service towards protecting lives, providing security and ensuring peace thrives.
He said: “I believe these care packs will provide some assistance to you and further encourage you to remain committed to safeguarding the country.”
Receiving the items, the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya expressed gratitude to the UAE government and Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak for the noble gesture and called for stronger partnership between Nigeria and the UAE in critical areas of ensuring peace and security.
He said “I will also like to extend my appreciation also to the UAE Mother of the Nation Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak for spreading her motherly support to Nigeria, we will surely continue to work together with the UAE to strengthen existing partnership.”
The UAE Embassy, Abuja has executed several women centered initiatives, in 2019, the Embassy inaugurated a women empowerment initiative that provided vocational training for 100 Nigerian women. This program provided a platform for women’s social development and sustainability that allowed them acquire valuable skills aimed at promoting self-reliance, employment creation and poverty alleviation amongst women in the society.
