Empowering Women In Cybersecurity: GWU's Second Cyber Pulse Initiative Launch

The General Women's Union (GWU) recently unveiled the second batch of the Cyber Pulse Initiative for Women and Family, a collaborative effort with the Cyber Security Council and Khalifa Empowerment Programme "Aqdar". This initiative, under the patronage of H H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, was launched at the GWU headquarters in Abu Dhabi, aiming to foster a culture of community responsibility, enhance digital awareness, and bolster women's involvement in cybersecurity.

The event featured a panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Space with notable speakers including Dr. Mohamed al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, Advisor Dr. Ibrahim Al Dabal, CEO of Khalifa Empowerment Programme-Aqdar, and Ghalia Ali Al Mannai, Head of the Strategic and Development Affairs Committee at the GWU. Additionally, it celebrated the graduation of the first batch of participants from the Cyber Pulse Initiative, who are now equipped to conduct courses, workshops, and lectures for the community.

Surpassing expectations, the first batch of the initiative reached over 115,000 beneficiaries through various workshops and awareness publications. Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the GWU, highlighted the initiative's role in creating qualified female role models in cybersecurity across the UAE. She extended gratitude towards the leadership and H H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak for their unwavering support and vision.

Dr. Mohamed al Kuwaiti underscored the critical need for spreading cybersecurity awareness among community members to safeguard against emerging electronic threats. He commended the initiative as a pivotal government effort to enhance women's participation in cybersecurity and ensure a secure digital society.

Dr. Ibrahim Al Dabal stressed on these initiatives' significance in improving digital life quality within UAE society and contributing towards sustainable development goals. He acknowledged H H Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan's support and emphasized the necessity for collaboration among national institutions.

Ghalia Ali Al Mannai announced an ambitious target for the initiative's second batch: to benefit 300,000 community members by training 120 female program members to conduct 150 training workshops across various societal segments. The GWU aims to position the UAE as a leader in empowering women in cybersecurity, with plans to expand this initiative to Arab countries as directed by H H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

The Cyber Pulse Initiative for Women and Family is dedicated to promoting cybersecurity awareness, empowering women, and fostering a secure digital environment. With its successful first batch and promising plans for expansion, this initiative is set to make significant strides in achieving its goals.

With inputs from WAM