By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: On International Women's Day, the Women's Social Cultural Society in Kuwait hosted a seminar titled 'Violence in the Absence of Women's Shelter' on Monday evening. The event was attended by Consultant and Life Coach Reem Al-Aidan, Protection Officer at UNCHR Amal Al-Beedh and Constitutional and Cassation Attorney Athra Al-Refai.

Refai argued there aren't enough laws protecting women facing domestic violence in Kuwait. "Kuwait is a state of laws where violence is criminalized, but it lacks a law on protection from domestic violence. So law no. 6 of 2020 on protection from domestic violence, which obligates the state to take responsibility for protecting society, combating violence and punishing those who are abused within the family, was tainted," she said.

Refai explained the law in article 25 stipulates that the Supreme Council for Family Affairs shall prepare executive regulations within six months from the date of publication, but until today there is no regulation. "The law mentions in article 5 the establishment of shelters and children's centers, but until today there is no shelter. The building prepared by the state has not received any victims. Also, there is no hotline or staff to receive victims of violence. The law opened avenues for its use against women, due to the absence of the department concerned with examining reports of violence to determine the extent of truth, lack inclusion of women in courts and judgments issued against them," she said.

The ultimate goal for women globally is to live a decent life away from violence and injustice. "What Kuwaiti women need now is to criminalize sexual harassment in the workplace. We need a list of domestic violence incidents to activate protection orders, but it wasn't placed in the proper context in order to become a real law that should be applied to all," Refai said. "We need government responsibility to represent women in all leadership positions, and also have a bigger role in the National Assembly. Their recent absence caused us disappointment in providing support to women," she added.

Beedh spoke about gender-based violence, specifically in camps for refugees and internally displaced women and girls. "Women endure various levels of violence, and because of displacement, their situation is even worse. They face all kinds of violence only because they are women - because of their gender. This affects their lives and their future," she said.

This year's theme for International Women's Day is about climate change and a sustainable tomorrow. "It shows how refugee women are part of this year's celebration. There will be no sustainable tomorrow if there are no voices from women. Generally, women who are displaced from their normal environment are facing several issues of inequalities. Their life is shuttered, specially displaced adolescent girls who are facing increased risks of disrupted education as well as an extra caregiving burdens. Refugee and internally displaced women are more likely to hold precarious jobs in the informal sector and face disruptions in livelihoods and income-generating activities," Beedh said.

UNHCR is innovating to enhance support to refugees, returnees and internally displaced women and girls, while promoting their leadership throughout the response.