Dubai set for more family-only beaches

Dubai has unveiled plans to designate some of its beaches as family-only.

The Supreme Committee of Maritime Affairs, headed by Lt Gen Dhahi Tamim, proposed the move this week. The plan is to provide privacy for families if they choose.

Signs will be put up to mark the beaches that will be family-only, where single men will not be allowed. Rules on dressing modestly will also be enforced.

Hundreds of instances of bad behaviour on Dubai beaches were recorded by police last year – 289 men were caught photographing women in swimsuits and 743 cases were reported of disturbing beachgoers.

The move was welcomed by many, including Sohair Al Jorraid, a Syrian mother of three, who feels uncomfortable at public beaches because male beachgoers make her feel embarrassed.

“I prefer to take my children to the ladies’ club. There are no men staring and I feel more comfortable with friends and my children,” she said.

Mrs Al Jorraid said many families prefer to have their own space at the beach.

“When I tell my husband that I am going to the beach, he asks that we not go to a public beach,” she said.

“I know many families who feel the same about public beaches. Families prefer to have a specific place just for them and it will encourage them to go more often to the beaches.”

Mohammed Jaber, a Lebanese father of a 7-year-old girl, said he does not allow his wife and daughter to go to a public beach alone.

“Many men and labourers go to public beaches fully dressed and stare at women,” he said.

Ms Ola Ameer, 29, a Jordanian with an Australian passport, said it made no difference for her.

“I do not usually go the beach much, but it will encourage my mother to go more often. Designating a family area for beachgoers will encourage husbands, their wives and kids to go to the beach,” she said. “I guess it’s a good idea. Some workers, who are fully dressed, stare at women, which makes them distressed.”

Last year, signs declaring family-only areas were placed at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, but the signs were later removed.