DUBAI // Women must break their silence if abuse against them is to decrease, said experts at a panel discussion on the issue.
Samira Al Ghamdi, a clinical psychologist, said that just because the subject was not often openly discussed, it did not mean abuse did not happen.
“Most of the abuse cases in the Gulf region are psychological and verbal,” she said. “I think one of the ways to combat abuse is not only to report it, but also for women in the Gulf to know their rights – and they do have rights.”
She said one of the worst examples of abuse was when husbands continually threatened their wives with divorce.
“A woman, too, has the right to divorce if she is being abused,” Ms Al Ghamdi said.
Hala Al Gergawi, executive managing editor at women's magazine Zahrat Al Khaleej, which was hosting the discussion at Zabeel Ladies Club, said that the media played a major role in raising awareness.
“The media is there to raise awareness and provide the public with information and not shame the victims,” she said. “People should not be afraid to take part in such panel discussions because the point is not judgment or embarrassment.
“To educate parents [of girls and young women] about abuse should be a priority.”
Dr Nadia Buhannad, a psychologist, said that abusers were cowards, but that they could be very smart and manipulative.
“Abusers know how to choose their victims,” she said. “I’ve had a case of a woman whose husband would hit her, but she was convinced that his behaviour was because he loved her.”
She also said that there were no proper statistics for the region because many cases went unreported.
Ghanima Al Bahri, director of care and rehabilitation at the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, said that the organisation had dealt with about 1,500 cases since its establishment in 2007.
“It’s difficult to tell whether there has been an increase or decrease in cases. But because there is more awareness now, more cases are being reported,” she said, adding that the foundation housed about 100 women and their children.
A woman usually stayed at the foundation for between three and six months, but Ms Al Bahri said each person was dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
“Although rare, we’ve had cases in which women have stayed for years pending legal issues,” she said.
Ms Al Bahri said women should not be afraid to contact the foundation if they felt they and/or their children were in an abusive situation.
“Sometimes the women are afraid, thinking we would contact the police, but that is not the case. We give them all their options before there is any action,” she said.
“In cases where we do have to go extract the woman from her home, we are escorted by police.”
For actress Mayssa Maghrebi, every woman has a story.
“We need to help each other and not hide behind the assumption that it is shameful [to be in these situations],” she said. “This is a problem that does not only exist in the Arab world, but in all other countries.”
She urged people to talk about such problems. “The first time a man lays a hand on you, it’s highly unlikely that it won’t happen again. Talk about it.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
