An army of women have joined forces in Abu Dhabi on a mission to bring an end to tyranny and violence by being champions of peace.
The National was given exclusive access to see 157 cadets go through their paces in an intensive 10-week training course at the Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School, inside the UAE’s Armed Forces base in Mahawi.
All had their reasons for being in the capital as they embarked on a key stage of their journey to enlist in the UN's peacekeeping corps.
Some were spurred on by a desire to see an end to conflict in their homelands, while others relished the opportunity to be part of a military collective.
Fatima Anne T Mendy, an immigration officer from The Gambia, who is in her 40s, said she had never held a gun until she arrived in Abu Dhabi.
The results of Ms Mendy's time in the capital were evident as she picked up an M-16 rifle and took aim at a target in front of her.
Her training was vital as peacekeepers could be sent to some of the most hostile parts of the world, seeking to protect civilians and maintain order in countries still ravaged by the effects of war, where ceasefires can be fragile.
“I had never held a gun before but now I am confident I can defend myself and even others in any situation,” Ms Mendy told The National, which was granted access to the training ground.
“This training will help women have a voice in the security sector and make a difference in any missions they are sent on.
“For me, it was a big advantage to get trained under the UAE’s defence forces. It was a big experience that will help me contribute to the safety and security of victims of conflicts and unrest.”
The programme was organised by the General Women's Union in partnership with UN Women and the Ministry of Defence.
The Emirates is the first country to train UN Women peacekeepers under an agreement signed in September 2018.
'I can make a difference'
Second Lieutenant Doha Harbi Sharhan, from Iraq, was eager to make the most of the chance to hone her skills.
“I joined this training course because this was the first time Iraqi female officers got to train abroad,” she said.
“This experience was quite different given that there are no military camps for women in Iraq.”
Growing up in Baghdad and seeing the unrest and violence in her home country, Lt Sharhan said she understood the importance of peace and stability.
“I love being in the military,” she said. “Many of my family members were also in the army. I believe I can make a difference.”
Lt Remadji Stephanie, from Chad, also wants to help to build a brighter future.
“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,” she said.
Another participant, Major Luljeta Mehmeti Quigley from Kosovo, said she wanted to see more women in peacekeeping.
“The importance of women participating in UN peacekeeping missions is more crucial than ever before,” she said. “Women peacekeepers can bring a different touch and they are capable of serving the same as men anywhere in any peacekeeping mission.”
Champions of peace
The Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School, the region’s first women’s military college, established in 1990, hosted the first programmes under the partnership in 2019 and 2020.
The UAE has so far trained 357 women cadets, with many drawn from Arab, African and Asian countries.
The third class included women from 15 countries, including Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain, Gambia, Senegal and Pakistan.
Wearing the UAE military uniform, the women assembled at the training ground every morning.
“How is our morale?” Brigadier Afra Saeed Al Falasi, Commander of the Military School, asked the cadets, with the rousing response coming instantly: “High. High. High.”
During the course, the women went through eight weeks of military training and two weeks of peacekeeping, covering combat, weapons, shooting, drills and first aid.
“Cadets undergo a change in their lives during military training,” Brig Al Falasi said.
“It prepares them for a transition from civil life to military life, teaches them patience and increases their awareness.
“The course strengthens their personality, prepares them for emergency situations, teaches them self defence, how to protect their surroundings and provides them with the skills to complete any task,” said Brig Al Falasi, who belongs to the first class of women officers to pass out from the military school in 1990.
Increasing women’s representation is key
Although women are increasingly playing an important role in UN peacekeeping missions, there is progress to be made.
In 1993, only 1 per cent of all deployed uniformed personnel were women.
By 2012, women made up 3 per cent of military and 10 per cent of police personnel in UN peacekeeping operations, according to the UN.
Currently, women account for almost 30 per cent of the international civilians working in peacekeeping and special protection missions.
Dr Mouza Al Shehhi, director of UN Women liaison office for the GCC, said bolstering female participation was less about gender equality and more about having the right people for the job.
“It is about generating and championing solutions that reflect the needs of all people in conflict-affected settings and addressing the underlying conditions that create conflict in the first place,” she said.
“Women’s leadership in peace and security helps in dismantling systems that allow violence to happen in the first place.
“Data shows that women’s participation in peace processes increased by 20 per cent the likelihood of a peace agreement lasting at least two years, and by 35 per cent the probability of it lasting 15 years.
“Yet this year, women represented 19 per cent of delegations in UN-led peace processes — down from 23 per cent in 2020.
“This data puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of capacity building for women in peace and shines a light on the uniqueness of this training programme that impacts capacity-building directly and gives women the opportunity to start or enhance careers in peace and security.”
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
