Saudi Arabia: Conference Calls for Clear Rules Against Domestic Abuse

RIYADH, 7 May 2008 — Princess Adela bint Abdullah lent her support to the first National Experts Meeting to Fight Domestic Abuse Against Women and Children, which was organized in Riyadh by the National Family Safety Program.

“Abuse against women and children is increasing astonishingly. So there needs to be a professional strategy to create a balance in relationships between family members,” said Princess Adela in her opening speech at the event yesterday. “Abuse of women and children is a real threat to the stability of our society. It is a worrying universal phenomenon, not just a local one.”

According to the princess, one in every six women is abused daily verbally, physically, or emotionally. She added that 90 percent of abusers are men. “This is not a small number and needs to be fully considered... The National Family Safety Program’s aim is to clearly set a number of objectives and work hard to support the victims socially and psychologically.”

Another speaker, Sheikh Salman Al-Odah, supervisor of the Islam Today website, spoke about how relationships between men and women should be based on mercy and tolerance. He stressed that Islam does not give men the right to mistreat their wives and children.

Dr. Suhail Zain Al-Abideen, head of the Women’s Section at the National Society for Human Rights, said the government and social establishments have tried to nurture an Islamic culture that prevents violence. “The culture of power seems to stretch itself to the optimum. This is in spite of Islam granting women all of their rights,” she said. “I demand that Islamic traditions are restored in the minds of people to prevent the mistreatment of women and children.”

Speakers from several government departments and private sector establishments stressed the need for clear rules against abuse. They also discussed penalties for domestic abuse and who is responsible for dealing with abuse cases.

By Nuha Adlan, Arab News