http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=117530&d=26&m=12&y=2008&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
Friday 26 December 2008 (28 Dhul Hijjah 1429)
Stop violence against women: Campaign starts on Monday
P.K. Abdul Ghafour | Arab News
JEDDAH: Princess Hussa bint Tarad Ashaalan, wife of Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques King Abdullah, will launch on Monday a nationwide campaign by the
Human Rights Commission (HRC) to stop violence against women.
The HRC's women's wing said it was holding the yearlong campaign as part
of its responsibility to Saudi society. "The campaign is aimed at enlightening
women of their rights," said Wafiqa Al-Dakheel, supervisor of the women's wing.
Dakheel emphasized the need to provide legal and social assistance to
women who are victims of family violence. "The campaign will also highlight the
importance of devising an effective plan to stop violence against women and
establish centers to treat the victims of such violence," she added.
The campaign also aims to educate men on the need to improve their
treatment of women. The campaign includes seminars on the rights of divorced
women, special needs women and Saudi women married to foreigners.
There will be a competition for the best article highlighting violence
against women, she said. Articles published between Dec. 29, 2008 and April 26,
2009, will be considered for participation in the competition.
The campaign comes in the wake of the growing number of cases of domestic
violence across the Kingdom. As many as 230 such cases were reported in Riyadh
this year, one source said. The capital city accounts for around 29 percent of
divorces in the Kingdom.
The Council of Ministers last month reiterated the government's resolve
to protect the rights of women. It also called for more efforts to increase
awareness among women about their rights.
Abdul Ilah Saaty of the Jeddah Community College praised the Cabinet
decision to improve the condition of women. "Our women have suffered for
decades because their legitimate rights were not protected."
He also emphasized the need to change the attitude of society to women's
rights. "Islam protects the rights of women. The Qur'an and Sunnah urge Muslims
to be kind to women. But we are not doing that."
Abdul Razak Al-Zahrani of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University said
a committee of experts should be formed to look into family violence cases.
"Newly married couples must be given guidance on how to avoid conflicts in
family life," he said, adding that mosques, schools and the media have their
roles to play.
Enaam Raboue, president of the Association for Family Protection in
Jeddah, said her organization received more than 250 family violence cases in
the last five months. Mental illness, drug abuse, alcoholism, poverty,
unemployment and a lack of religious commitment and education were some of the
reasons for family violence, she added.
