Government

Dubai joins global campaign to end violence against women

There will also be a focus on women’s mental health and well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic

The National

November 24, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

A campaign to end gender-based violence has been launched by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.

The sixth Violence Against Women campaign will begin on Wednesday to coincide with the International Day of Violence Against Women, also known as Orange Day, and will run until December 10.

This year, there will be a focus on women’s mental health and well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We live in a country that values the status of women and recognises the importance of their role in building society

Experts will also shed light on how a poor work-life balance could create additional stress, resulting in emotional, mental or other types of abuse of women by people around them.

To raise awareness, the foundation will light up its buildings in orange for the first week of the campaign, hold a series of online lectures, share awareness tips and release podcasts on their social media accounts with the hashtag #NewNormal.

Last year, landmarks across the Emirates such as Burj Khalifa, the General Women's Union and Adnoc in Abu Dhabi were lit up orange in a show of solidarity.

“We live in a country that values the status of women and recognises the importance of their role in building society, and our wise leadership has placed women in the highest leadership positions in the country,” said Sheikha Al Mansouri, acting director general of the foundation.

“In this context, we launched the sixth campaign to highlight the importance of women's issues, how to deal with them and educate the public on how to support women in their lives.

The Burj Khalifa is lit up in orange in solidarity with the United Nations campaign to eliminate violence against women. WAM
The Burj Khalifa is lit up in orange in solidarity with the United Nations campaign to eliminate violence against women. WAM
Buildings and monuments in the UAE illuminated in orange in solidarity with the United Nations campaign to eliminate violence against women. WAM
Buildings and monuments in the UAE illuminated in orange in solidarity with the United Nations campaign to eliminate violence against women. WAM
The 16 days of Activism spanning from International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, through Human Rights Day on 10 December, are an annual campaign against gender-based violence.. WAM
The 16 days of Activism spanning from International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, through Human Rights Day on 10 December, are an annual campaign against gender-based violence.. WAM
Elsewhere, Bamyan in Afghanistan's central highlands as the Buddha sites destroyed by the Taliban glow as part of International Day to End Violence Against Women. Twitter/ @UNAMAnews
Elsewhere, Bamyan in Afghanistan's central highlands as the Buddha sites destroyed by the Taliban glow as part of International Day to End Violence Against Women. Twitter/ @UNAMAnews
A Palestinian woman gets on a ride with her children at Gaza City's fishing port during activities marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. AP Photo
A Palestinian woman gets on a ride with her children at Gaza City's fishing port during activities marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. AP Photo
A cat seemingly relaxed while women doing their stretching exercise during a class in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Giza, south-west of Cairo. Some of the women attending the class joined because of personal experiences they made and to defend themselves against potential harassment. In December 1999 the United Nations made November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. EPA
A cat seemingly relaxed while women doing their stretching exercise during a class in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Giza, south-west of Cairo. Some of the women attending the class joined because of personal experiences they made and to defend themselves against potential harassment. In December 1999 the United Nations made November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. EPA
Women going through their exercise during a class in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Giza, south-west of Cairo on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. EPA
Women going through their exercise during a class in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Giza, south-west of Cairo on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. EPA
Women going through their exercise during a class in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Giza, south-west of Cairo the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. EPA
Women going through their exercise during a class in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Giza, south-west of Cairo the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. EPA
Women take part in a protest against violence towards women in Rabat, Morocco. EPA
Women take part in a protest against violence towards women in Rabat, Morocco. EPA
Women take part in a protest against violence towards women in Rabat, Morocco. EPA
Women take part in a protest against violence towards women in Rabat, Morocco. EPA

"We are proud of the great support we receive from our beloved country and our leaders, and we also invite all members of the community to contribute to support this campaign by participating in these events and spreading awareness to as many members of the community as possible."

In a recent legal overhaul of personal and family law in the UAE, a number of amendments seeking to protect the rights of women were made.

‘Honour crimes’, where a male relative can get a lighter sentence for assaulting a female relative under the excuse of ‘protecting honour’, will be treated as any other assault.

Read More

UAE buildings go orange to support ending gender-based violence

UAE to clamp down on domestic violence

There will be tougher punishments for men who subject women to harassment of any kind.

The punishment for the rape of a minor or someone with limited mental capacity will be execution.

In 2018, 1,027 cases of abuse were reported across the Emirates by the foundation.

In 72 per cent of cases, husbands were reported as being the abusers. Every single case involved verbal abuse and 7 per cent of the cases also reported sexual abuse.

Financial abuse was also cited in 58 per cent of the domestic violence cases.

Defending champions

World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack

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Tips from the expert

Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.

  1. Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
  2. It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
  3. Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
  4. Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
COPA DEL REY

Semi-final, first leg

Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')

Second leg, February 27

Match info:

Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')

Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')

Three trading apps to try

Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:

  • For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
  • If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
  • Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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