An international conference on Women Peace and Security(WPS) is being hosted by UAE with the aim of advancing the WPS Agenda and empowering women in the military and security sector.

Convened jointly by the General Women’s Union (GWU), UN Women and the UAE’s  Ministry of Defence, the event takes place in Abu Dhabi from 8-10 September.

The Conference was opened by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chair of the GWU, who welcomed senior representatives from organisations across the region, including Dr. Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, who is on her first official visit to the UAE as Head of UN Women, the Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

“We must listen carefully to the voices of women,”said Dr Bahous. “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."

For more on this story and the conference discussions please use the link here.