International and regional forums to improve services offered to victimized women and children in Dubai

DFWAC recently took part in several conferences that tackle the social and humanitarian issues such as the 'Annual Conference of Family Justice Solidarity Center'.

The event held in the USA is designed to guide participants through the most up-to-date methods in combating domestic violence whereby they visited some of the successful and well established US centers and safe havens offering welfare to victims of violence in America.

Human rights and social work specialists at DFWAC also attended the initial agenda discussions for 'The forum for the Future 2008' that will be held in Dubai next October and will be co-organized by the UAE Foreign Ministry and Japan.

More than 30 Middle East civil society organizations participated in addition to high-level delegations from the G-8.

The Forum aims to develop partnerships among participating countries with the aim of promoting sustainable development in all areas, improving social, economical and political status in the region and fostering cooperation between governments, civil societies and private sectors.

Ms Afra Al Basti, Executive Director, DFWAC commented:

"given our protection and rehabilitative role, our participation in such events, gives us a golden opportunity to interact and exchange experiences and knowledge with leading organizations at a local, regional, and international levels, to combat domestic violence, in line with UAE's strategy. We are particularly keen on learning how other recognized international humanitarian organizations operate in terms of offering rehabilitative services, one of the key aspects of the case management approach that we implement to be able to deal with the different psychological, social, medical and other problems our victims suffer from."

DFWAC is the only licensed shelter in Dubai set to protect women and children who have been exposed to human trafficking, domestic violence, and other forms of physical abuse.

This non profit organization was established in 2007 in Dubai under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to offer victims protection and rehabilitative services in line with international human rights laws and treaties.

The foundation also coordinates with established international NGOs such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other UN entities to facilitate the re-expatriation and reintegration of the victims in their respective societies.

According to the latest statistics, DFWAC shelters a total number of 41 victims (children and females) including 22 children between the ages of 1 year to 16 years old.