• The annual event features work by women who have escaped their captors and are waiting at the shelter while their court cases can be resolved.
    The annual event features work by women who have escaped their captors and are waiting at the shelter while their court cases can be resolved.
  • Women who find themselves in these shelters are persuaded by strangers, acquaintances, friends and even family members in their home countries all over the world to leave for a better life in the UAE; or they are snatched or sold. They all end up being forced into some form of prostitution or labour.
    Women who find themselves in these shelters are persuaded by strangers, acquaintances, friends and even family members in their home countries all over the world to leave for a better life in the UAE; or they are snatched or sold. They all end up being forced into some form of prostitution or labour.
  • The women are free to paint whatever they wish — with an eleven-year-old preferring to draw pictures of cartoon characters.
    The women are free to paint whatever they wish — with an eleven-year-old preferring to draw pictures of cartoon characters.
  • Since opening in 2009, headed by executive director Sarah Shuhail, Ewa’a has added locations in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, as well as a space for men in Abu Dhabi.
    Since opening in 2009, headed by executive director Sarah Shuhail, Ewa’a has added locations in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, as well as a space for men in Abu Dhabi.
  • The five-day exhibition show aims to raise awareness about human trafficking in the UAE so people can recognise it and more women can escape safely.
    The five-day exhibition show aims to raise awareness about human trafficking in the UAE so people can recognise it and more women can escape safely.
  • So far, 209 women have passed through the shelters, each of them spending varying lengths of time while their court cases are resolved, before they are sent home or to a new country.
    So far, 209 women have passed through the shelters, each of them spending varying lengths of time while their court cases are resolved, before they are sent home or to a new country.
  • This process of learning how to create art that people will see and, hopefully, buy, has proven to be transformative.
    This process of learning how to create art that people will see and, hopefully, buy, has proven to be transformative.
  • The popular Dubai-based artist Jen Simon, pregnant with her third child due next month, is gently guiding the group — all of whom seem more like girls — to put some all-important finishing touches on their best paintings.
    The popular Dubai-based artist Jen Simon, pregnant with her third child due next month, is gently guiding the group — all of whom seem more like girls — to put some all-important finishing touches on their best paintings.
  • Although the women don’t attend the opening, the shelter does sneak them in during the exhibition.
    Although the women don’t attend the opening, the shelter does sneak them in during the exhibition.
  • ‘Mama’ Yousra works with the women who have been victims of human trafficking and who stay at Ewa’a shelter while their court cases are decided in Abu Dhabi. She is also helping them prepare their artwork.
    ‘Mama’ Yousra works with the women who have been victims of human trafficking and who stay at Ewa’a shelter while their court cases are decided in Abu Dhabi. She is also helping them prepare their artwork.
  • Due to the danger and sensitivity surrounding their cases they cannot be identified. Their countries of origin are shielded and their faces can’t be shown. But their art work can.
    Due to the danger and sensitivity surrounding their cases they cannot be identified. Their countries of origin are shielded and their faces can’t be shown. But their art work can.

In pictures: Human trafficking victims’ artwork for Ewa’a Shelters

Olga Camacho

May 06, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

Silent Voices 3, an art exhibition at The Space in Abu Dhabi, will show works from women staying at the Ewa'a Shelters for Victims of Human Trafficking, aiming to serve as both fund and awareness-raiser. All photos by Delores Johnson / The National

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