ABU DHABI // A government task force is designing a survey to provide needed and accurate figures on violence against women in Arabian Gulf societies.
Officials and statisticians from social affairs and justice departments are at a three-day workshop run by the National Bureau of Statistics, aiming for consensus on how to research the topic.
After deciding on a method they will survey women across the region and send a report to the United Nations to be compared with figures from other regions. The report should be ready by June next year.
Sufyan Al Barghouthi, an economic statistician at the bureau, said there were no accurate figures on violence against women in the GCC, and that UN guidelines for such surveys were more relevant to western societies.
"We should agree on the same definition of violence … so when we compare we know it is accurate," said Mr Al Barghouthi.
Under the UN guidelines, common regional practices such as girls marrying before they turn 18, or Sharia inheritance law, could be considered "violence".
"Definitions of violence differ as per traditions of the nation," added Abdulmalik Al Shaikh, the director of planning and development at the GCC. "In Gulf countries some girls get married at 17."
Under Sharia, a male heir receives twice as much inheritance as a female, which some westerners consider detrimental to women.
But in Arab and Muslim societies it is widely accepted on the grounds that men are obliged to be the main providers for their families, while women are not. The man who inherits must share his income, while a woman who inherits can keep it for herself.
Dr Jamila Khanji, studies and research consultant at the Family Development Foundation, said there were other trends prominent in the region that any study would need to take into account.
Dr Khanji gave the example of emotional violence, such as a husband who urges his wife to have plastic surgery. Such surgery, she said, carried risks and could even prove fatal in exceptional circumstances.
Women are not the only victims of domestic violence, argued Dr Zubayda Jassem from the Ministry of Interior. She gave the example of a man who divorced his wife after 40 years of marriage.
"When they asked him why, he said she was a perfect wife and raised the children very well, but since the day he married her she had a 'sharp tongue', and he couldn't take it any more," Dr Jassem said.
She said the case was an example of "two-way violence": the man was hurt by the constant verbal attacks, while the woman was hurt by being divorced without warning.
hdajani@thenational.ae
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
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The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
The%20National%20selections
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RESULTS
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The%20Boy%20and%20the%20Heron
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The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company%20profile
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Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
SECRET%20INVASION
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
