All-Women Police Squad That Raids Dens, Fights Criminals in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
New
Age Islam News Bureau
09
September 2022
•
Military Training Course in Abu Dhabi Highlights Women's Growing Role in
Peacekeeping
•
Black, Muslim Women in Edmonton Face Multifaceted Discrimination, Senators Told
•
Afghan Women Are 'Being Erased From Existence', Activist Tells Abu Dhabi Peace
Conference
•
MENA Has the Highest Number of Nationality Laws Denying Women Equal Rights
•
Saudi Women Supported By Employers to Reach Career Goals, Survey Finds
•
UAE: Conference On Women, Peace, And Security Sees Participation Of
High-Profile Officials
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/ras-khaimah-uae-women-police/d/127914
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All-Women
Police Squad That Raids Dens, Fights Criminals in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Khaleej
Times/ Photo by M. Sajjad
----
By
Afkar Ali Ahmed
9
Sep 2022
Sergeant
Amna Al Shehhi is a mother of six but, sometimes, she has to leave her kids way
past midnight because of an important mission: To keep Ras Al Khaimah safe.
"I
know I could be exposed to all kinds of risk and danger, but I never think
twice whenever I have to carry out my duty," said Al Shehhi.
She
is among Ras Al Khaimah's 17 female police officers who tackle crimes that
involve women — from thefts, brawls and money laundering to human trafficking
and prostitution.
Be
it at midnight or as late as 3am, these women never hesitate to get up and wear
their badges. They are wives, mothers, and maidens who are always ready to
sacrifice their lives for the country.
Here's
a snippet of a typical day at their headquarters:
Their
job rarely looks this simple, though. When they are out on a mission, they
could either be raiding dens or restraining gang members.
"At
first, I was terrified," said Fatima Al Nuaimi, who is also a mother and a
sergeant at the special tasks department. "I had taken part in raids and
arrests of human traffickers, thieves and other criminals. It was scary, but it
eventually became just normal routine, especially since we underwent intensive
training on taking suspects into custody and how to keep ourselves safe."
Another
officer, Sergeant Laila Mohamed Ali, used to have a safer role of guarding
female VIPs during events. Though she spent 14 years doing this job, she felt
she had to give more for her homeland.
"This
is why I enrolled in raid, inspection and arrest training. I want to be able to
respond to a national call at any time," Ali shared as she spoke to
Khaleej Times proudly wearing her uniform.
By
now, Ali's family is well aware of her duty that sometimes requires her to
spend the night outside their home.
"They
never objected whenever I have to be out. In fact, they are proud of me,
especially whenever we complete a mission safely," she said.
Fatma
Al Saadi, who lives with her parents, added that whenever her boss calls — even
at 3am — she would rush to get dressed and leave the house without informing
her family.
"My
parents are now used to my work. When I'm not in my room at bedtime, they know
that I have a mission to carry out," said Al Saadi, who serves as first
officer.
"They
always pray for me to return home safe," she added.
In
many cases, these women have faced resistance, violence and assault, but they
manage to protect themselves and put suspects under control.
The
policewomen underwent 25 training courses in the first six months of this year
alone, equipping them with the skills and expertise they need to carry out
their missions.
'It
can also be emotional'
Besides
the physical demands of the job, Sakina Mohamed AlBlooshi said it could also
get emotional since they are dealing with women who struggled in life.
"I
used to sympathise with female suspects, especially when they cry and explain
their situation," said AlBlooshi.
"But
after the training, I have learnt that my duty is to protect my country from
criminals who threaten national security," she added, sharing that she
once took part in a raid that involved at least 20 women.
With
conviction, AlBlooshi said they are ready to risk their lives to fulfil their
duty. "To serve the nation is a mission instilled in our hearts and
minds."
Empowering
women
Col
Mohamed Nasser, director of the Training Centre at the Ras Al Khaimah Police,
said that in their team, women are empowered to do the same tasks as men.
"They
represent a fundamental pillar in police work and contribute to enhancing
safety and security in the country," he said.
For
the emirate's police, the goal is to prepare female officers for all kinds of
crimes. After all, there's no such thing as a man's job.
Source:
Khaleej Times
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/meet-the-women-who-raid-dens-fight-criminals-in-rak
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Military
Training Course in Abu Dhabi Highlights Women's Growing Role In Peacekeeping
Dr
Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, greets participants of the Women,
Peace and Security training programme in Abu Dhabi. All photos: Victor Besa /
The National
-----
Shireena
Al Nowais
Sep
07, 2022
A
nine-week training course in Abu Dhabi aimed at increasing women’s
participation in military and peacekeeping operations is starting this week in
the emirate, with 140 participating cadets from Arab, Asian and African
countries.
The
Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative for Women, Peace and Security launched its third
Women, Peace and Security training programme on Wednesday, which will take
place at the Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School in Abu Dhabi.
The
programme involves seven weeks of intensive military training and two weeks of
peacebuilding and peacekeeping training.
It
is organised by the General Women’s Union in co-operation with the Ministry of
Defence and in co-ordination with UN Women.
The
participants this year come from the Yemeni island of Socotra, Jordan, Bahrain,
Liberia, Gambia, Senegal, Niger, Pakistan, Chad, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania
and Mauritania.
Capt
Rachel Riak Kon, from South Sudan, told The National that the course shows the
growing the importance of women in the military.
“I
am here to prove that women can make a difference,” said Capt Kon.
“I’m
determined to go back home and show that women are always important in the
military.
“We
cannot only defend our country but we can also help bring about peace and
stability.”
Cadet
Naeema Al Balooshi, a police officer from Bahrain, said women's role in the
military has grown significantly.
“We
are at a time where women are not just equals but supporters of men,” said
Cadet Al Balooshi.
“I
am here representing every woman and my country. I am here to make myself proud
and my country.”
Lt
Remadji Stephanie, from Chad, added: “I am determined to go back home to help
end the terrorism and violence we face at the hands of Boko Haram, not through
violence but through peace.”
Abu
Dhabi conference
The
programme seeks to achieve the strategic objectives of Security Council
Resolution 1325 of increasing the number of qualified women working in
military, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.
A
total of 497 women were trained under the Sheikha Fatima Women, Peace and
Security Initiative, which was launched in 2019.
The
launch of the programme coincides with Abu Dhabi's hosting of the International
Conference on Women, Peace and Security, where Dr Sima Bahous, executive
director of UN Women, will be a keynote speaker.
Dr
Bahous was in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to meet the participants. She praised the
efforts of the UAE in empowering women in the military sector.
“The
UAE has been a strong champion and a prominent partner in making progress on
the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 5, Gender Equality,” said Dr
Bahous.
“In
this regard, I commend the efforts of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak
to empower Women in Peace and Security, by providing training and capacity
building opportunities for women from the Middle East, Africa and Asia in
military and peacekeeping.
“UN
Women is proud to be a partner in these efforts that advance the Women, Peace
and Security Agenda.”
Also
speaking on the first day of the conference are Mohammed Al Bowardi, Minister
of State for Defence; Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International
Co-operation, and Lana Nusseibeh, assistant minister for political affairs and
the UAE's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN.
Source:
The National News
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Black,
Muslim women in Edmonton face multifaceted discrimination, senators told
Sep
08, 2022
Senators
are hearing about the many ways Black, Muslim women in Edmonton face
discrimination, as the Senate Committee on Human Rights stops in select
Canadian cities most impacted by Islamophobia.
Dunia
Nur, president of the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council, urged senators
Thursday to look at Islamophobia from a multifaceted lens.
Black,
Muslim women face Islamophobia, in addition to anti-Black racism, Afrophobia
and gender-based discrimination and violence, Nur told senators.
"When
you identify and you experience that pain on a daily basis, it is as if you are
excluded and you feel a sense of isolation and you belong to no
community," Nur told CBC News, after her presentation.
The
committee hearings were born out of the alarming rise in Islamophobia in
Canada, said Sen. Salma Ataullahjan, the chair of the committee.
Police-reported
hate crime against Muslim people in Canada rose from 84 incidents in 2020, to
144 incidents in 2021, Statistics Canada data shows.
"The
one thing we're finding out: it's really bad for Muslim women,"
Ataullahjan said while on CBC Radio's Edmonton AM.
"We're
going to be looking at gendered Islamophobia, and if you're Black and Muslim,
then your experiences are worse."
Black,
Muslim women have been the target of a string of verbal and physical attacks in
Edmonton in recent years.
One
of the victims said Edmonton police initially discouraged her from filing a
report, an allegation Nur flagged to the committee Thursday.
Nur
said Black, Muslim women need a hearing of their own because they have largely
been left out of consultations to address the violence.
"Black
Muslim women need a space where they can add and contribute," Nur said.
"I
don't see anybody here that is directly from that community."
Senator
'shocked'
B.C.
Sen. Mobina Jaffer was shocked by what she heard about Edmonton police, and
said the committee will follow up.
"To
hear from the community they had very little support from the police, that has
shocked me," Jaffer said. "That's not the image I have of our
police."
CBC
News contacted the Edmonton Police Service for comment, but it did not
immediately respond.
Senate
committee members heard from Muslims and academics in Vancouver on Wednesday.
They will be visiting Quebec City and Toronto in the coming weeks.
Their
findings will be the basis of a report that will provide recommendations to the
federal government about how to address Islamophobia.
Source:
CBC
--------
Afghan
women are 'being erased from existence', activist tells Abu Dhabi peace
conference
Shireena
Al Nowais
Sep
08, 2022
An
Afghan activist has pleaded with the world to help women and girls from being
“erased from existence” by the Taliban.
Speaking
on the opening day of the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security
in Abu Dhabi, journalist Mahbouba Seraj said Afghan women are in desperate need
of assistance.
“I
sit here with a heavy heart because today I don’t have a country. Today I do
not exist for my country,” Seraj said.
“What
women are going through today in my beautiful country is unbelievable — the
Taliban have crossed the line. They have ignored the existence of women.
“Today
Muslim men of my country, under the name of Islam, cannot stand to even look at
us. We are being erased from existence.”
Since
the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, as many as 700 people
have been killed and 1,400 wounded, even though security on the whole has
improved, a report released last month by the UN political mission in the
country said.
It
highlighted how women have been stripped of many of their human rights, barred
from secondary education and subjected to restrictions on their movements.
Seraj,
who refused to leave the country when the Taliban took power, said she was
“begging” for the voices of Afghan women to be heard.
“Why
are we being pushed to the brink of extinction? What did we do to the world for
them to allow this to happen?” she asked.
“We
stood by you when you needed us and now suddenly we are persona non grata?”
Prioritising
the Women, Peace and Security agenda
Seraj
was one of the speakers in a panel discussion about making peace work for women
and the global landscape, which is on the current Women, Peace and Security
(WPS) agenda.
WPS,
which was adopted in 2000 under UN Security Council Resolution 1325, highlights
the significance of equal participation of women and their full involvement in
all efforts to maintain peace and security in conflict areas around the world,
and also in post-conflict construction.
Lana
Nusseibeh, the UAE's ambassador to the UN, told the conference that the UAE
continues to closely follow the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and
in other countries in the world.
“The
UAE has been clear and declaring that the restrictions imposed by the Taliban
are in no way consistent with the values of Islam,” she said via a video link.
“In
fact, the meaningful and substantive inclusion of women in all aspects of
society is a key pillar of our domestic and foreign policy. That is why the UAE
has prioritised the WPS agenda during our tenure in the UN Security Council. ”
In
March, Ms Nusseibeh urged the Taliban to let girls inside classrooms, saying
educating women was “fully compatible” with Islam.
“Religion
cannot be used to justify extremist ideology or to excuse discrimination against
women and girls,” Ms Nusseibeh said.
“The
UAE stands by the women and girls of Afghanistan and as they demand their
rights to work, to education and to participate in public life, which is fully
compatible with the religion of Islam and with our culture.”
Source:
The National News
--------
MENA
has the highest number of nationality laws denying women equal rights
08
September, 2022
A
new report released by the international women’s rights organisation Equality
Now is calling on governments around the world to do more to help women in
need, after findings showed that many countries around the world still hold
sexist and discriminatory nationality laws.
The
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have the highest number of discriminatory
nationality laws with 17 countries denying women equal nationality and
citizenship rights, the report revealed.
Findings
from the report included how discriminatory nationality laws remain in 49
countries accounting for 25% of United Nations member states.
"As
an Arab mother originally from Lebanon, I am not surprised by these findings.
My sister really struggled when she married my brother-in-law. You just don’t
get treated equally especially if you have Lebanese citizenship and your spouse
doesn’t. In the end, it’s not only you who suffer but the children too,"
Shaykha* (name changed for confidentiality) told The New Arab.
The
findings from the report The State We’re in – Ending Sexism in Nationality Laws
revealed that a quarter of countries – including Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, and
Lebanon – still have laws that discriminate against women by denying them the
same nationality rights as men.
"Some
women in the Arab world who are stripped from having the same nationality
rights as men, feel worried about the future and some women who have felt like
moving away from their home countries, are still in pain and suffering to get
back their rights," Shaykha told The New Arab.
Nationality
laws which discriminate against women have had a significant impact in
affecting a woman’s basic rights to have healthcare, education, employment, and
non-discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, and religion.
"Four
years after the Arab League's endorsement of the Arab Declaration on Belonging
and Identity, the region still records the highest ratio of sex discriminatory
nationality laws," Dima Dabbous, Equality Now's MENA representative told
The New Arab. "Women are denied the right to confer their nationalities to
their children and spouses, which leaves them at grave risk of violations of
human rights."
Dima
explained how denying women the right to pass nationality to children and
spouses would expose families to the risk of statelessness, fear of deportation
of children, spouses, family separation,
and lack of access to publicly funded education, medical services, and social
benefits.
"Children
and spouses who are denied the right to hold the citizenship of their parents
in their country of residence have limited access to jobs, economic
opportunities, and financial opportunities. Their freedom of movement is
limited and they face hardships traveling abroad," Dima told The New Arab.
Discriminatory
nationality laws have been found to lead to detrimental consequences such as
forced marriage.
"Sometimes
families are left with no option but to force their children, especially girls,
into marriage to obtain legal status that protects them from deportation,
statelessness, and further social and economic vulnerabilities," Dima
explained.
The
women’s human rights organisation is calling on MENA governments to eliminate
all forms of gender discrimination in nationality law and remove their
reservation to Article 9 of CEDAW that grants women equal rights with men to
acquire, change or retain their nationality, and their full right to pass their
nationality to their children.
We
call on the governments to revise the sex discriminatory legal provisions to
achieve gender equality where women and men are able to confer citizenship on
their children wherever they are born, whether born in or out of marriage, and
whether adopted or not. Women and men should have the right to pass their
nationality to their spouses on an equal basis and to keep their nationality as
they wish.
The
situation for women in some countries in the Middle East and around the world
has become worse over the years due to the effects of the global pandemic which
exacerbated pre-existing problems in the MENA regions.
Currently,
many countries within MENA and many United Nations states prohibit women from
passing their citizenship onto their children or a foreign spouse, and these
women face restrictions which leave them extremely vulnerable to undergoing
human rights violations.
The
Arab world and countries identified such as Bahrain, Lebanon, Egypt; Iran;
Iraq; Jordan; Kuwait; Libya; Morocco; Oman; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Sudan; Syrian
Arab Republic; Tunisia; United Arab Emirates and Yemen are being called to
address the issues and implement suggested changes for a better future.
Tasnim
Nazeer is an award-winning journalist, author, and Universal Peace Federation
Ambassador. She has written for Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Huffington Post,
Middle East Eye, CNN, BBC, and others. She was awarded the FIPP the global
network of media Rising Stars in Media Award 2018.
Source:
The New Arab
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/features/menas-nationality-laws-continue-deny-women-equal-rights
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Saudi
women supported by employers to reach career goals, survey finds
September
09, 2022
RIYADH:
Nine out of 10 women working in Saudi Arabia say that the organizations they
work for have policies in place to drive diversity, equity and inclusion.
This
is according to a study by leading global management consultancy firm Kearney
looking at factors affecting women in the workplace, including employer support
of career ambitions, adoption of hybrid working, as well as diversity, equity
and inclusion imperatives set by their organizations.
The
Kearney Diversity, Equity and Inclusion survey reveals 8 out of 10 women feel
that they get the support they need from their employers to reach their career
goals.
About
51 percent of female employees in the Kingdom see themselves changing sectors
or careers in the next 10 years, and 36 percent indicated that they would like
to hold a leadership position.
Sixty
percent would like their employers to provide them with training in emerging
skills and trends such as ESG and data analytics to help them support their
career ambitions.
Almost
48 percent would like employers to provide regular training to upskill in their
current career choice.
Isabel
Neiva, partner of leadership, change and organization at Kearney Middle East,
said: “In the last decade, Saudi Arabia has shown remarkable commitment to
bring more women into the workforce with reforms implemented to incentivize and
protect women entering the labor market.
“Increasing
the participation of females in the workforce has delivered unmistakable
results and fueled the country’s transformation. Encouraging women to play a
more significant role in the workforce will aid in the Kingdom’s efforts toward
economic diversification and ultimately making real progress toward Vision
2030.”
When
looking at hybrid workplaces, 60 percent of respondents said that they have
been provided with the flexibility to work from home or office by their
employers.
Twenty-nine
percent of respondents were offered hybrid working cultures but chose to work
from the office, whereas 3 percent chose to only work from home.
A
mere 7 percent of the organizations do not have a hybrid working structure.
Asked
how hybrid working has helped equitable working opportunities, 84 percent
respondents recorded higher levels of motivation, 85 percent productivity, 84
percent progression, 78 percent inclusion and 86 percent learning and
development.
However,
54 percent of women also expressed concern that hybrid working leads to missing
out on key opportunities for career progression.
Despite
this, respondents remained optimistic about the changing landscape of
leadership roles, with 76 percent believing that new ways of working will have
a positive impact on women entering the workforce.
When
looking at policies that have a positive impact on removing barriers around
diversity, equity and inclusion, 49 percent of women stressed that flexible
working was a game-changer.
“Considerable
progress has been made over the last few years in terms of gender diversity and
equal opportunities,” Neiva said.
“However,
there are many women who still find that they must work harder and provide more
evidence of their competence than men. To ensure that women in the workforce
are given the means and support to reach their full potential, it is key for
organizations to provide regular training to upskill their female employees and
have policies in place to drive diversity and inclusion and eradicate bias,”
she said.
Source:
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2159111/saudi-arabia
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UAE:
Conference on women, peace, and security sees participation of high-profile
officials
8
Sep 2022
The
International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (ICWPS) was inaugurated
by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, 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), and the "Mother of
the Nation".
During
her speech, Sheikha Fatima welcomed Dr. Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of
UN Women, who is on her first official visit to the UAE as Head of UN Women.
Co-organised
by the General Women’s Union, UN Women and Ministry of Defence, ICWPS, the
event is taking place in Abu Dhabi from September 8 till 10.
The
opening session saw participation from several high-profile officials,
including Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs,
Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation,
Dr. Sima Sami Bahous, Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of
the UAE to the United Nations (UN), Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant
Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (Arab League) and Head of the
Social Affairs Sector, Dr. Nayef Falah Al Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC), and Abdullah Al Hamli, CEO, Economic Cities and Free
Zones, Abu Dhabi Ports Group.
Al
Bowardi said, "The convening of this conference is a result of the
existing cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation, the UAE Ministry of Defence, the General Women’s Union, UN Women
and the League of Arab States, emphasising the efforts of the UAE to advance
the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and our support, as a major partner, in
implementing it, and empowering women in the military and security fields, in
addition to their other roles."
Noura
Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women's Union, said, "In line
with the vision of the General Women’s Union, we seek to proactively empower
women in all sectors and fields, including peace and security, and to
strengthen dialogue and drive partnerships that help us achieve security,
stability, and development for societies worldwide."
Dr.
Bahous said, "UN Women and its partners around the world are striving to
advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, but we need the international
community, including all regional organisations, to stand in solidarity with
us, so that we can fully fulfill the commitments we made to women and girls in
conflict areas and survivors of violence. We must listen carefully to the
voices of women; this is our only way to restore balance, and gain
opportunities for peace that will not be achieved without this synergy, so let
us stand together for our common values. The peace and security we aspire to
will only be possible when women play a central role."
Falah
Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, expressed his deep
gratitude to Sheikha Fatima for her patronage of this important event, which
symbolises the position of the UAE and its leadership on the Women, Peace and
Security Agenda.
Day
one of the conference featured three panel discussions. The first session,
titled "Women Driving Peace", focused on the current global landscape
of the WPS Agenda, assessing barriers and the importance of converting
resolutions to solutions. The session showcased the leadership of women in
conflict and post-conflict zones, presented the most prominent successes and
challenges, facing the successful implementation of the Women, Peace and
Security Agenda.
The
second session, which was held under the title "Women Transforming
Security: Changing the Landscape of Peacekeeping", reviewed the status of
women in UN peacekeeping forces, the main obstacles and challenges, in addition
to celebrating women's contributions to the security sector, highlighting
success stories and experiences of some of the cadets.
The
final session covered inclusive peace processes and how the participation of
women in political processes and conflict resolutions is proven to result in
more sustainable and longer lasting peace.
Day
two conference programme will include four sessions, and will be inaugurated by
Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC, while
the third day will witness a high-level Ministerial Conference on Promoting
Women’s Role in Conflict-affected and Post-conflict Societies, led by League of
Arab States with the participation of international decision-makers, senior officials,
diplomats and advocates concerned with Women, Peace and Security.
Source:
Khaleej Times
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