Saudi Gazette report

TABUK — Fifteen Saudi women in Tabuk Province have formed the first all-women Civil Defense team in the region, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Sunday.

The team of female volunteers named “The Women’s Safety Team” has plans to involve Civil Defense men, in future, in rescue and evacuation operations in case of accidents and fires where women are gathered, like in schools, universities and wedding halls.

To achieve this, they intend to hold a number of training courses in the field of security and safety at homes, government offices or private firms in Tabuk region.

Speaking to SPA following the team’s holding of a ceremony to mark the World Volunteers Day, organized by the Tabuk Province Civil Defense last Thursday, the head of the team Fatima Sulaiman Al-Bluwi said: “The team was created through the joint efforts of the Directorate General of Civil Defense in the region and the Security and Safety Administration in Tabuk Education Department.”

Al-Bulwi, who works as director of Security and Safety in Tabuk Education Administration, added: “The aim is to support the Civil Defense teams in cases necessitating the presence of women, like emergency situations in schools, institutes, public places and sheltering centers.”

She further said: “The team include women of various ages and qualifications. We’re supposed to carry out campaigns in the coming days with the aim of spreading awareness on the importance of security and safety among all members of the society, especially women.”

Their real role is restricted to what suits their capability and it does not contradict the rules of the Islamic Shariah, customs and traditions, like providing first aid, and childhood and motherhood care at the sheltering center.

Al-Bluwi further said that the notion of volunteerism emanates from the person’s love for his/her nation and the desire and enthusiasm to take part in Civil Defense measures and relief works within the Kingdom and abroad, as he/she comes forward to the pertinent authorities expressing his/her wish to register as a volunteer and place his/her efforts, capabilities and potentials at the disposal of serving mankind.

She lauded the Kingdom’s role in supporting Saudi women in sustainable development and volunteerism in different fields.