Abu Dhabi Week spends an uplifting morning with the ladies of the Ewa’a Shelters for Women and Children, a place where victims regain their humanity
From the outside, you’d never know there was anything special about this nondescript structure nestled on a street surrounded with other buildings of similar design. The sun is glaring from a cloudless blue sky but inside it’s cool, an escape from the fury of the morning heat.
This is the Abu Dhabi branch of Ewa’a, a group of shelters for women and children established in 2008 as part of UAE Federal Law 51. A non-profit, non-government entity functioning under the umbrella of the UAE Red Crescent, Ewa’a was created as part of the nation’s plan to combat human trafficking. There are currently locations in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
According to Federal Law 51, human trafficking means “recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving people by means of threat or use of force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of position, taking advantage of the vulnerability of the person, or, the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation.”
Ewa’a was built to protect victims of exploitation who have been forced into prostitution or other forms of sexual abuse. Who are these victims? The valiant women who work for Ewa’a say that, while it sounds like a cliché, their stories are often very similar – these women and girls are almost always impoverished and often illiterate.
“The human traffickers promise good jobs and satisfactory wages – they’re usually the same nationalities as the victims, and very often women who were once trafficked themselves,” says Madawi Abdulrahman Al Saud, media coordinator for Ewa’a.
Since 2006, the UAE has taken a hard stance towards this crime – in short, they won’t stand for it and are taking extensive measures to see the practice stopped and the victims safe. In addition to the introduction of Federal Law 51 – which is enforced by the UAE government – the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking with the help of various ministries and non-government organisations has initiated training programmes to help policemen, immigration officers and other officials identify traffickers and potential victims.
They’ve also signed a number of bilateral agreements and international human rights treaties with the governments of other nations and global organisations committed to combating human trafficking around the world – an essential step as all of the victims who have been rescued in the UAE have been brought from other countries.
“Many are not kept under lock and key but instead are free to walk the streets of the city. They remain victims because they have been coerced by some other means – their passports have been taken or their families have been threatened,” says Madawi. “They often do not speak Arabic or English and don’t know how to ask for help, or have been convinced by their captors that no one will help them and the police will jail them if they ask for help.”
Many of the women contact Ewa’a by way of churches, mosques, hospitals and embassies, or by contacting The Red Crescent. Another way is via the shelter’s hotline 800SAVE (800 7283), a number they are trying to promote. If a victim calls this number, workers can direct those under threat to one of the shelters or send the police to investigate and pick them up. The rescue of one victim often leads to the discovery of more, sometimes large groups.
“Once the police determine that the woman is a victim of human trafficking, they will bring her to the shelter where she will receive food, clothing, personal items – she will probably have nothing but the clothes on her back – and medical attention,” says Madawi.
“Beyond the immediate needs, she will also receive English lessons, computer classes, activities and weekly professional counselling.”
One thing she doesn’t need is a lawyer – the government will take care of prosecuting her captors on her behalf and defending her in a court of law. Once her case has been resolved and she has undergone rehabilitation, Ewa’a will help her start her life over again.
They will send her home or help her find a job in the UAE, plus make sure that she has the money and training she needs to break the cycle of poverty that left her vulnerable in the first place. Often they will contact a similar, reputable shelter in her home country that can help her upon her return and see her life turned around for good.
How can you help? While the Crown Prince HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Sultan Al Nahyan donates an annual budget to the shelters, Ewa’a will always need financial assistance as all of their services are free to the victims. Donations of cash, clothing or gifts for the victims are always appreciated.
“People can always help by spreading the word about Ewa’a and that there is a safe place for victims,” says HE Sarah Suhail, executive director of Ewa’a. “Also, women can volunteer at Ewaa to entertain, teach, educate and train the victims.”
Perhaps the best way you can help Ewa’a is by raising awareness. If there’s someone you know of that you suspect may be a victim of human trafficking, call the hotline and let the experts investigate – nothing is lost if your fears turn out to be unfounded.
Even better, tell everyone you know about the shelter’s hotline 800SAVE (800 7283). It could save a life - and the dignity - of someone who desperately needs help.
Laura Fulton
Want to donate?
If you or your organisation would like to make a contribution to the Ewa’a Shelters for Women and Children, you can donate cash directly into their account – number 02200789023 at Al Hilal Bank. Find out more about Ewa’a at www.shwc.ae or call 02 558 4812.
