Mixed reaction to changing the title of Wadeema’s Law

The FNC's name change for the country's first child protection law has brought mixed reactions from residents.

ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council’s move to change the name of the country’s first child protection law has brought mixed reactions.

The Minister of Social Affairs, Mariam Al Roumi, put up a strong fight to have the Child Rights Law named after Wadeema, 8, a girl who was tortured to death by her father and his girlfriend.

Ms Al Roumi told FNC members that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, wanted the law named after Wadeema.

But the FNC voted to change the name at a session this month, saying it could tarnish the family’s image and would only serve as a constant reminder of the little girl’s tragedy.

Wadeema’s mother had welcomed the law being named for her daughter when Sheikh Mohammed announced it last year.

“Wadeema’s name symbolised her, what she went through,” said Fatima Saif, 53, from Abu Dhabi.

“Why name it ‘child’ when she is the one who suffered? She was the victim. There are others, yes, but it was Wadeema’s case that shook us all.

“Everyone knew her. Her case became famous and her name was related to it, so people got used to calling it Wadeema’s Law. Now that the name changed, a lot of people will talk.

“Certain cases were not ‘out’ until Wadeema’s case was broadcast, so in a way she has helped other children and families to know their rights.”

Dr Rima Sabban, a sociologist at Zayed University, said it was understandable that society was in disagreement over the name.

Dr Sabban said it was a western tendency to introduce such labels, whereas Arab society tended to burden itself with grief.

Although labelling sometimes played a legitimate role, she said, it could also be destructive.

“There are two different ideas: one is we went through the trauma, we admitted it, it helped in developing laws and regulations,” Dr Sabban said.

“But today at a different moment in time for society, there is a different awareness level and they are ready to move on and not to carry on the trauma with them, because it is important that societies and collective memories disconnect with all traumas.”

She said the case of Wadeema had been given its space and a strong stand by the legal process had given society the chance to grieve, so the law now needed to complete its course by protecting the rights of all.

“It was a great move to call the law Wadeema but now since we are at a different moment we now are saying we want to protect all children,” Dr Sabban said. “We are saying let’s move on from this tragedy. There is nothing wrong with that.”

A K, 59, from Abu Dhabi, said naming the law after one victim excluded others.

“It cannot be called Wadeema because many other children are suffering from the same fate,” he said. “Calling it Wadeema’s Law is like saying only her case is worth mentioning.

“This law is there to protect all the children and by changing the name the committee is trying to reach out to all the others, I believe.”

Issa Mohammed, of Dubai, said he did not know the new name of the law. To him it will always be Wadeema’s Law.

“Her story has been engraved in us all,” Mr Mohammed said.