The screen shot of a young woman’s Facebook Messenger account showed an all-too-familiar monologue playing out starting with a man sending a direct message saying “Slm” (hi). No reply. A month later, “slm,” then “slm” again the next day. When that opening gambit failed to provoke a response, the man sent a photo of him exposing himself to the woman.
Those messages, along with two similar salvos sent to the same recipient, are among the thousands of first hand accounts of sexual harassment and violence Tunisian women and LGBTQ people have shared on the #EnaZeda or #MeToo Facebook page in recent months.
In 2019, Facebook helped usher in what feminists and women’s rights activists hoped would be the next great revolution in North Africa: holding men to account for sexual harassment and violence. But two years later, the platforms where women have turned most often to share their stories have become the leading tool for sexual harassment.
The #EnaZeda movement was born shortly after a newly-elected legislator was caught on video performing an obcene act outside a girls’ school in the autumn of 2019 (a charge he denied). After the video was posted online, personal testimonies of sexual harassment and violence from women around the country streamed onto social media.
Several feminist activists and organisations saw the need to corral those stories into a public forum where they could be amplified, and took to Facebook to do so.
A group was set up to discuss topics ranging from street harassment to sexism in politics, and a page dedicated to publishing the personal testimonies of physical, psychological, digital, verbal and financial abuse suffered by Tunisian women now has more than 65,000 followers.
A recent study carried out by the Centre of Research, Studies, Documentation and Information About Women (Crédif) found that 80 per cent of Tunisian women had suffered online harassment, usually in the form of explicit, badgering or violent messages on Facebook. Nearly one in seven women have been called a "whore`”.
The deluge of stories from women across the country has instigated a sea change in the discourse around women's rights and safety in Tunisia. But a recent surge in online harassment has made Facebook increasingly dangerous for women.
"They receive unwanted, harassing messages or photos,” explained Sonia Ben Miled, one of the founders of the #EnaZeda Facebook group and member of Aswaat Nissa, a women’s rights organisation.
The #EnaZeda page has published hundreds of screenshots of harassing Facebook Messenger interactions, often leaving the perpetrator’s name and profile in full view of its large and active audience.
The page does not independently verify the reports, and only redacts the names of the victims, and any graphic images.
Tunisia’s women are not alone in their struggle to access social networks safely.
A recent survey in 22 countries showed an alarming surge in online abuse against girls and women.
The survey, conducted by Plan International, found that 58 per cent of the more than 14,000 young women and teens they followed had been victims of cyber harassment.
Facebook was the leading platform for those attacks, with 39 per cent of respondents saying they’d encountered harassment on the platform.
Covid-19 has only amplified the situation.
Tunisia went through months of lockdown last spring; the 8pm curfew, which has been in place since the lockdown lifted, will be moved to 10pm beginning on Monday. With movement restricted, women are spending more time online to stay connected with their friends and families, but so are their attackers.
“We see more girls and women who are harassed on social media, because everyone is trapped in their house," explained Ben Miled. Abusers follow a similar pattern online as they do offline, seeking to isolate and humiliate women.
International Women's Day in pictures
That isolation is felt particularly by women who are already struggling through lockdown, and often unemployment. With the lockdown stressing an already flagging economy, nearly a quarter of Tunisian women are currently unemployed.
While some of the women who share their stories with #EnaZeda receive messages from men they don’t know, many are harassed by acquaintances, neighbours or even relations. Those messages can often turn into threats of physical violence when the recipient ignores the sender.
“It’s a dangerous situation because it is difficult to do anything about it,” Ben Miled said.
In 2017, Tunisia’s parliament passed Law 58, a landmark piece of legislation on violence against women. The sweeping law covers everything from street harassment to marital rape, a first in the Arab world. But one component is conspicuously absent: online harassment.
The absence of an explicit clause on cyber violence leaves cases to be assessed at a judge’s discretion. As a result, some 95 per cent of those who have been abused do not press charges in Tunisia, according to the Crédif study.
Najima Kousri Labidi, a founder of the #EnaZeda Facebook page and a women’s rights activist hopes pressure will work to change the attitudes around the law and the role it could play in combating digital harassment.
“We haven’t heard about any cases of harassment being condemned, even though the law has existed for three years now,” she explained. “We want to put pressure on judges so they will use the law.”
Though sexual harassment is in clear violation of Facebook’s community standards, the company, which did not respond to a request for comment, has long struggled to combat sexual harassment on its platforms (Facebook owns Instagram and Whatsapp, two other leading platforms for harassment, according to the Plan International Study).
For Ikram Ben Said, another member of Aswaat Nissa, Facebook’s drawbacks don’t outweigh its advantages. She notes that while women often feel isolated and invisible when they are harassed online, “the sense of solidarity that we have witnessed during this movement resists invisibility”.
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
ATP China Open
G Dimitrov (BUL x3) bt R Bautista Agut (ESP x5)
7-6, 4-6, 6-2
R Nadal (ESP x1) bt J Isner (USA x6)
6-4, 7-6
WTA China Open
S Halep (ROU x2) bt D Kasatkina (RUS)
6-2, 6-1
J Ostapenko (LAT x9) bt S Cirstea (ROU)
6-4, 6-4
ATP Japan Open
D Schwartzman (ARG x8) bt S Johnson (USA)
6-0, 7-5
D Goffin (BEL x4) bt R Gasquet (FRA)
7-5, 6-2
M Cilic (CRO x1) bt R Harrison (USA)
6-2, 6-0
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Command%20Z
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Atalanta v Juventus (6pm)
AC Milan v Napoli (9pm)
Torino v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Sunday
Bologna v Parma (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Lazio (6pm)
Roma v Brescia (6pm)
Verona v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Udinese (9pm)
Lecce v Cagliari (11.45pm)
Monday
SPAL v Genoa (11.45pm)
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
![Ines Louihik, 26, takes part in a welding workshop in Tunis, Tunisia. She says: 'In 2019 I passed the welding exam. I was the only woman [along with] 35 men. It is very difficult to be accepted as a woman. Many people think that welding is hard work exclusively for men, but I have proven that women can be welders too and I am very proud of myself." EPA](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/G34RW6NH4PF776QWJXME5GPBXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d8c6fe1f1b0554a775f2b967fb96cc8ef7617e8285edacc3ce2fc460d8f7b614&width=800&height=450)
