The Sheikha Fatima Fund for Women Refugee Panel Discussion
On December 3, 2023, a groundbreaking initiative was announced. The Sheikha Fatima Fund for Women Refugee joined forces with UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency Canada) to empower over 40,000 South Sudanese refugee women through business and entrepreneurial training programs. This fund, led by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of UAE General Women's Union and well-known as the mother of the UAE, has been a beacon of hope, championing projects aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable refugee women and children. H.H. is a leading role model for supporting women rights in the UAE, with significant contributions on empowering the women by focusing on their education.
At the heart of the COP28 and part of Sheikha Fatima Fund for Women Refugee a panel discussion was led by His Excellency Marc Otte, Belgian Diplomat and President of the Brussels International Center, along with distinguished panelists including Dominique Isabelle Hyde, UNHCR’s director of External Relations, Joanna Osawe, President & CEO of WiRE, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Abdulsalam AlMadani, Chairman of DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Organization and PAM Roving Ambassador for the GCC region, and Stefanie Scharf from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Berlin. The discussion delved into the challenges faced by refugee women in climate vulnerable regions.
Adding to the excitement of the event, the President-Designate of COP28, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, made a surprise visit, much to the delight and honor of everyone present. The presence of H.E. was a strong show of support for the initiative, further emphasizing the importance of empowering refugee women.
The panelists shed light on the stark reality that women and girls bear a disproportionate burden of the impacts of climate change due to pre-existing social, economic, and cultural disparities. This vulnerability is amplified for refugee women, who are grappling with the dual challenges of climate-induced and conflict-related displacement.
The panelists, through their inspiring words and insights, called for collective action to rally support for the empowerment of refugees, particularly refugee women. They emphasized the urgent need for the global community to prioritize and invest in initiatives that empower refugee women. This requires concerted and swift efforts from governments, development partners, the private sector, and local communities.
Let’s join hands in celebration of this noble initiative, because when women rise, we all rise!
