SHARJAH // Emirati women living in the east coast town of Dibba Al Hisn have welcomed news of a new ladies-only beach on the Corniche.
An enclosed section of the beach is being built on the orders of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, to give welcome privacy for women and their children who live in the small enclave of the emirate.
Sheikha Mohammed, 31, said the new beach would be a good addition to the town and expected it to be very popular.
“Women and children go to the Corniche in the afternoon. They spend their time playing and enjoying the good weather,” the mother of three said. “Having a dedicated beach will allow us to swim comfortably and without worry.”
Sabira Abdullah, 23, agreed that the ladies’ beach would be welcome, but also requested further investment in jobs for the town.
“It’s a new addition to our beautiful town,” Sabira Abdullah, 23. “Women will be able to swim freely and in privacy on the Corniche.
“The only problem for young women here is that there aren’t enough jobs in our town,” the high school graduate said. “I don’t want to live and work in another emirate.”
Amira Ali, also unemployed, said driving long distances to reach a job in a neighbouring emirate is not feasible for a young women.
“It would be really hard and dangerous to drive to Sharjah city or other emirates, and it would be hard for our parents to accept such conditions,” said Ms Ali, 22.
Housewives living in the town, near the border with Oman, said a lack of shops and supermarkets made life difficult, especially when trying to raise a family. “Dibba is a beautiful place but it has one supermarket,” said Ajmal Ali, a mother of three who travels to Fujairah or Ras Al Khaimah to stock up on essentials and clothes for her children.
“We would love to have a big mall so that we have more shopping options.”
tzriqat@thenational.ae
