Sharjah Women Protection Centre promotes family and stability

Maryam Ismail, Director of the Women’s Protection Centre, affirmed that the centre’s work is guided by the motto “From protection to empowerment”, aiming to serve as a leading model in empowering women, ensuring their safety and dignity, and contributing to the building of a society free from all forms of violence and discrimination, founded on justice, equality, equal opportunities, and the values of dignity and empowerment.

“Intilaqah” programme

In this context, Maryam Ismail explained that the Intilaqah (Launch) programme has had a tangible impact on participants’ lives, successfully empowering 15 women who were receiving services at the centre. The programme is based on providing individual psychological support, professional, economic, and legal empowerment, and the development of life skills through training and educational courses that help women achieve financial independence through employment opportunities.

The programme aims to enable women to live with dignity and independence, encourage positive participation in society, and raise awareness of women’s legal rights. It also includes rehabilitation and social empowerment initiatives, strengthens awareness of women’s protection rights, and builds partnerships with relevant entities to enhance the system for protecting women from violence. In addition, the programme supports women at risk of violence by helping them obtain their legal rights, continue their education, and develop their skills through specialised courses.

“Al-Jisr” and “Irtiqaa”

Maryam Ismail added that, alongside empowerment initiatives, the centre launched two new programmes. The first, Al-Jisr (The Bridge), falls under social empowerment and focuses on family reintegration by improving relationships between women and their families through family counselling sessions.

The second programme, Irtiqaa (Rise), provides individual and group psychological support, with a focus on improving the mental health of women affected by violence.

“Ahwal” awareness campaign

Among its achievements, the centre launched an awareness campaign through the Ahwal programme, a series of filmed episodes aimed at changing societal perceptions of women affected by violence and the social challenges surrounding them. The programme addresses various topics, including promoting values of acceptance and respect, and is broadcast via the Department of Social Services’ social media platforms.

Ahwal is presented by the Director of the Women Protection Centre, drawing on her professional experience as well as real cases handled by the centre. The programme is produced by the Government Communication Office team at the Department of Social Services in Sharjah. During 2025, five episodes were released, titled: “Obedience to the husband”, “The father’s role in family cohesion and stability”, “Financial trust between spouses”, “Reasons that prevent the continuation of marital relationships”—which may lead to divorce rulings—and finally “Some wives address their husbands at home”.

The initiative achieved high viewership and engagement, highlighting the importance of using smart technology for community-focused issues and the need for social influencers to play a reformative and awareness-raising role due to their impact on society.

An integrated community role

The Women’s Protection Centre has succeeded in promoting its mission and objectives within Emirati society, particularly in the Emirate of Sharjah, through various approaches. These include raising women’s awareness of their rights, supporting them in reclaiming those rights, enhancing self-confidence, and improving their material and moral capabilities, in addition to supporting their educational, cultural, economic, and social development.

The centre reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to supporting women affected by violence by providing shelter and comprehensive social, psychological, and legal care through diverse rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. It stressed that safeguarding women’s rights, protecting them from violence, and enhancing their physical and psychological wellbeing enables them to fulfil their family and community roles effectively.