Women often have more reason to feel vulnerable in public places than do men. When men take pictures of unsuspecting women sunbathing on the beach, they abuse that vulnerability.
Unfortunately such incidents appear to be increasingly common. This is the reason why the police in Dubai are stepping up beach surveillance. In 2013, police in Abu Dhabi had to clamp down on fully-clothed beach-goers for the same reason.
It is true that people from all over the world flock to our country to enjoy the pristine beaches and other attractions, and not all of them are aware of the culture. There is a place for better public education. But there is also a place for common sense: clicking pictures of women in beachwear without their knowledge and consent is not acceptable anywhere in the world. In the UAE, it is not only unacceptable, it’s a criminal offence.
