DUBAI // Women must break their silence if abuse against them is to decrease, said experts at a panel discussion on the issue.
Samira Al Ghamdi, a clinical psychologist, said that just because the subject was not often openly discussed, it did not mean abuse did not happen.
“Most of the abuse cases in the Gulf region are psychological and verbal,” she said. “I think one of the ways to combat abuse is not only to report it, but also for women in the Gulf to know their rights – and they do have rights.”
She said one of the worst examples of abuse was when husbands continually threatened their wives with divorce.
“A woman, too, has the right to divorce if she is being abused,” Ms Al Ghamdi said.
Hala Al Gergawi, executive managing editor at women's magazine Zahrat Al Khaleej, which was hosting the discussion at Zabeel Ladies Club, said that the media played a major role in raising awareness.
“The media is there to raise awareness and provide the public with information and not shame the victims,” she said. “People should not be afraid to take part in such panel discussions because the point is not judgment or embarrassment.
“To educate parents [of girls and young women] about abuse should be a priority.”
Dr Nadia Buhannad, a psychologist, said that abusers were cowards, but that they could be very smart and manipulative.
“Abusers know how to choose their victims,” she said. “I’ve had a case of a woman whose husband would hit her, but she was convinced that his behaviour was because he loved her.”
She also said that there were no proper statistics for the region because many cases went unreported.
Ghanima Al Bahri, director of care and rehabilitation at the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, said that the organisation had dealt with about 1,500 cases since its establishment in 2007.
“It’s difficult to tell whether there has been an increase or decrease in cases. But because there is more awareness now, more cases are being reported,” she said, adding that the foundation housed about 100 women and their children.
A woman usually stayed at the foundation for between three and six months, but Ms Al Bahri said each person was dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
“Although rare, we’ve had cases in which women have stayed for years pending legal issues,” she said.
Ms Al Bahri said women should not be afraid to contact the foundation if they felt they and/or their children were in an abusive situation.
“Sometimes the women are afraid, thinking we would contact the police, but that is not the case. We give them all their options before there is any action,” she said.
“In cases where we do have to go extract the woman from her home, we are escorted by police.”
For actress Mayssa Maghrebi, every woman has a story.
“We need to help each other and not hide behind the assumption that it is shameful [to be in these situations],” she said. “This is a problem that does not only exist in the Arab world, but in all other countries.”
She urged people to talk about such problems. “The first time a man lays a hand on you, it’s highly unlikely that it won’t happen again. Talk about it.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
Scoreline
Australia 2-1 Thailand
Australia: Juric 69', Leckie 86'
Thailand: Pokklaw 82'
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially