Female political leaders from Middle East signed pact to promote the position of women in diplomacy

The Sarah & Hajar Accords, a ground-breaking pact signed recently by four female political leaders from the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Israel, aims to advance the status of women in diplomacy and address women's rights concerns in the Middle East.

The Abraham Accords are echoed in the documents created by UNESCO Artist for Peace Dr. Guila Clara Kessous, a student of Harvard negotiator William Ury and a pupil of Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel.

Israel and numerous Arab countries established official ties with the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. This new agreement emphasises the vital role that women play in upholding human dignity, particularly in the Middle East, and focuses on encouraging their active participation in the diplomatic domain.

Two matriarchs

The two matriarchs of the Abrahamic religions, Sarah and Hajar, who stand for the tenacity and bravery that gave rise to entire civilizations, are the inspiration for the name of the agreement. It is an appeal for these two mother figures to mend fences and a declaration of their joint dedication to world peace.

The Middle East region needs more female diplomats to serve as role models and advocate for women's rights, according to Dr. Guila.

Afra Al Hameli, Director of Strategic Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, spoke on behalf of the UAE and emphasised the nation's dedication to improving the position of women and fostering more equality in the globe.

The UAE, she added, "continues to work tirelessly alongside the international community to enhance the status of women and realise our vision for a better world, dedicated to the girls of today and the women of tomorrow."

Shaping peaceful societies

"Involving women and girls in civil society and government is crucial to creating peaceful communities that are more resistant to conflict and instability, both in the Middle East and elsewhere. The UAE is always eager to collaborate with its foreign allies to further these developments.

"The Sarah & Hajar Accords, in reflecting the cooperative spirit of the Abraham Accords signed in 2020, provide a meaningful opportunity for countries to recommit to multilateral efforts to uphold women's rights," she continued.

Al Hameli's sentiments were echoed by Nancy Khedoury, a member of the Shura Council and the deputy chairperson of Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Defence and National Security Committee and Human Rights Committee. She emphasised that the advancement of women's rights is inextricably linked to societal advancement and stability.

"I firmly believe that the advancement of women's rights goes hand in hand with the overall progress and stability of our society," she declared.

Make it a better world

Maître Maria Belafia, a member of the Moroccan Centre for Legal Studies' founding committee and an elected representative for the area of Rabat, stressed the need of pursuing peace, justice, and freedom as a group. Women now desire to walk the road of peace so that they may coexist with one another in a world that values equality, justice, and freedom.

Former Israeli Knesset member and co-chair of the Knesset Caucus for the Promotion of the Abraham Accords Ruth Wasserman Lande advised thoughtful discussion about how women may significantly advance the state of the world. She confirmed, "We should join forces and brainstorm original ideas on how women can sincerely and genuinely contribute to the world and make it a better place.”

The Sarah & Hajar Accords represent a notable advancement in the field of diplomatic gender equality. It emphasises the crucial contribution that women play in societal development and peacebuilding, especially in a place where male leadership has traditionally been more prevalent. For many, this historic accord serves as a ray of hope, promising a better, more inclusive future.