Make women feel at home like in the UAE

Families should be places where women can take comfort and seek refuge, where they can find shelter from the storms of life. But what happens when homes turn dangerous for them? Patriarchal tendencies continue to rule in most parts of the world despite women coming up the ranks and rising to positions of power. They feel empowered to a large extent or are getting there through education and awareness but little has changed in the workings of families. Last year, more than half of female murder victims were killed by their parents or family members, states a report by the United Nations. It’s shocking, to say the least. Home appears to be most dangerous place for women. The highest rates of intimate partner or family murders were found in Africa and the Americas, followed by Asia. So, are women paying the price for stepping out of their confines, making a mark and challenging ancient patriarchal systems or are these the signs of the times.

We are not sure if the rising popularity of campaigns such as MeToo and TimesUp are helping women to wage battles for equality in a world that is steeped in patriarchy. Girls are being abducted to work as sex slaves for terrorist groups such as Boko Haram. Daesh, which was defeated in Syria and Iraq, had mass terrorised women into submission with their despicable acts of cruelty. In many parts of the world, female infanticide is still common. The UAE has been an exception in the region and has come a long way to make women feel at home. It has provided them opportunities to realise their potential. Among Emirati students, girls represent about 70 per cent of university students. Among the local population, Emirati women represent more than 46 per cent of the labour force; and 30 per cent hold leadership roles. Last year, the UAE topped the world’s index in the “respect to women” and ranked first in gender equality in property rights. What a stark contrast with the world where women are not even safe at home. Perhaps the world would do well to follow the UAE model for women’s rights.