I urge the international community and donors to support Arab women so they can realise their rights.
~ Ali Caracalla, one of the co-writers of “Out of Hand”
“With a loud voice, I call on men all over the world to respect women’s rights.”
~ message to mark International Women’s Day, from Ali Ahmed Raad, teacher and volunteer for civil society organisations
via www.Trust.org
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Aid Worker Diaries – The Lebanese Men Campaign to End Violence Against Women
(excerpt)
On a stage in Lebanon, an oppressive father whips his daughter – punishment for disobeying his command and eloping with the man she loves. For Ali Caracalla, one of the co-writers of “Out of Hand”, this is more than just a play. “It’s inspired from our reality,” explains Ali, a computer science student at Lebanon university.
Ali is part of a growing movement of young men across the Middle East who, supported by Oxfam and partner KAFA, are committed to raising awareness amongst their male counterparts on ending violence against women. The campaign is the first of its kind in Arab countries, and underlines the importance of working with men and boys to bring about real and lasting change.
Last year, KAFA began a programme in Lebanon educating men, including a co-operative of beekeepers and a group of religious leaders, about the ills of violence against women, both to the women themselves, and to the psychological and economic health of the family as a whole.
This is Ali’s first time working as a volunteer for women’s rights, and he’s not alone. Ali Ahmed Raad, another recent graduate from university, is also beginning to speak out on women’s rights. Raad, now a part time teacher and active volunteer with several civil society organisations, has witnessed the psychological effects of women affected by verbal violence. “Psychological violence has a much deeper impact,” he tells me. Raad is trying to convince others that “violence can take several forms, such as verbal and emotional abuse.” In a recent focus group organised by Oxfam, Raad was surprised to learn that many men think “violence is all about the use of force against women.”
For Raad, this campaign is unique in the Arab World and offers practical solutions to help raise awareness of gender based violence. By wearing a white ribbon and taking part in focus groups, surveys and assessments, Raad hopes he can contribute towards ending violence against women in Lebanon. So far Raad has persuaded fifteen of his friends and colleagues to join the campaign. This is unprecedented in Lebanese society where, Raad explains, “engaging men to empower women is considered to be unusual”.
[photo credit: Photo: Jennifer Abrahamson/Oxfam]
