Empowering Women In Cybersecurity: GWU's Cyber Pulse Initiative Launches New Training Phase

The General Women's Union (GWU), in a strategic partnership with the UAE Cyber Security Council and the Khalifa Empowerment Programme (Aqdar), has recently initiated the first phase of training workshops for the second cohort of the Cyber Pulse Initiative for Women and Families. This pioneering initiative is designed to leverage global best practices in cybersecurity, aiming to equip women with the necessary skills to enhance societal resilience against cyber threats.

Under the esteemed patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the GWU, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), this initiative seeks to bolster women's roles in cybersecurity. It aims to create a cadre of female cyber experts, elevate digital literacy, promote safe technology use, and foster a culture of digital social responsibility.

The inaugural training phase is set to prepare 129 participants through specialized training sessions. These sessions will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including cyber threat awareness, password and device security, safe internet usage, social media risks, incident reporting procedures, and the potential dangers associated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Looking ahead, the initiative's second phase is focused on widespread awareness-raising. The trained members are expected to conduct 150 courses, workshops, and lectures, targeting an ambitious goal of reaching 300,000 individuals across various community segments. This effort aims at maximizing the dissemination of cybersecurity knowledge and fortifying the digital safety culture among diverse societal groups.

A notable collaboration has been observed in support of this initiative, with more than 30 entities participating. This includes nine federal entities, 17 local entities, five higher education institutions, and two private sector organizations. These entities have nominated a select group of women from different sectors to partake in this transformative initiative.

In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Saloma Al Breiki, Head of the Cyber Pulse Initiative Team at GWU, highlighted the initiative's ambitious goal to engage 300,000 participants through 150 awareness workshops. Reflecting on the success of the first batch which surpassed its target by reaching 115,000 participants instead of the anticipated 50,000, Al Breiki expressed optimism about achieving and possibly exceeding the current target.

This initiative not only underscores the UAE's commitment to enhancing cybersecurity but also highlights the pivotal role women play in this critical field. By empowering women and families with essential cybersecurity knowledge and skills, the Cyber Pulse Initiative for Women and Families is setting a new standard for digital safety awareness and social responsibility in the digital age.

With inputs from WAM