SHARJAH // The Women’s Protection Centre encourages its residents to work towards a new, more fulfilling life, and to give themselves more options.

They are encouraged to enrol in university, sign up for computer training and attend legal workshops to better understand their rights. Some of the women also require psychological counselling for domestic abuse or for the strain they suffer when financially cast out by their family.

“They should continue their lives and they should understand that they can improve themselves,” said Mariam Al Hammadi, the centre’s manager.

“We also have a gym, a salon and a workshop for programmes to improve skills. There is training in computers, language, handicrafts and religion. Some start a new home business like trading, sewing, fashion.”

When the centre opened in 2012 it could house only 14 women and admitted only Emiratis. It has since given refuge to women from other Arab countries and beyond.

In its larger villa, activities are planned for children who accompany their mothers.

They are taught handicrafts, drawing on glass and T-shirts, and participated in Environment Day in June by making toys from recyclable material such as straws and CDs.

Women who are employed continue working and are ferried to their workplace by drivers employed by the shelter.

rtalwar@thenational.ae