Saudi Arabia launches No More Abuse campaign

Saudi Arabia recently launched its first anti-domestic abuse campaign, 'No More Abuse'.  The campaign, a joint effort of the King Khalid Foundation (KKF) and marketing communications network Memac Ogilvy - Riyadh, aims to create awareness and to address the issue. The campaign poster pictures a woman with a black eye beneath her burqa with the slogan "Some things can't be covered" and includes contact numbers for local women's shelters.  The full-page poster was published in Saudi newspapers.

Domestic violence is believed to be endemic in parts of Saudi Arabia, yet is largely unreported. The US Department of State Saudi Arabia Human Rights Practices for 2012 report estimates "the incidence of female spousal abuse ranged widely, from 16 to 50 percent of all wives".  However the Foundation Director General, Princess Banderi A.R. AlFaisal, reports that change is occuring such as a prime ministerial decree to expand shelters for women experiencing violence in 2008. Women's rights have increased during the last year with the acceptance of women into the Shura Council (government advisory), the right to vote, entry into a range of new professions (including engineering and law) and permission to have their own IDs without guardian permission.

Alongside the 'No More Abuse' campaign, the Foundation has also prepared legislation to criminalise domestic abuse. The punitive measures abusers could face include imprisonment, financial restitution and loss of custody.  Last year, the foundation also helped establish the 'Women and Child Abuse Prevention Law' protecting the rights of children in abusive situations, the first time the government has adopted legislation developed by an NGO.  The Foundation also publishes a list of organisation contact numbers that provide support for victim/survivors of abuse on their website.

In New Zealand, Shakti Community Council provides support for women from Middle Eastern, Asian and African ethnic groups experiencing family violence.  Shakti has also recently begun to develop a service in Melbourne, Australia; more  information is available on the Shakti Melbourne Facebook page.

Media

Saudi Arabia launches powerful ad campaign against domestic violence, Washington Post, 01.05.13

Can Saudi Arabia's first anti-domestic violence advert make a difference? CNN, 13.05.13