All photos via 13th UN Crime Congress – Doha 2015 on Facebook
As part of a competition to raise awareness about violence against women and children, hundreds of Qatar-based students recently came up with drawings to visualize their thoughts on the issue.
The artwork, which is being displayed at the Qatar National Convention Center until tomorrow, is part of the ongoing 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice that has been hosted in Doha over the past week.
Domestic violence, as well as cybercrime, corruption and organized crime were among the main themes explored at the conference, which wraps up tomorrow.
In a statement, Abdullah Khalifa al Muftah, head of the conference’s media committee, said:
“The images were very intense. Coming from young students, they were very honest manifestations of what our children feel about mature subjects and should be of concern to us adults.”
Domestic violence in Qatar
Though crime within Qatar wasn’t a focus of the meet, the country has been working to reduce domestic violence rates in the country, with mixed success.
For example, legislation that specifically outlaws domestic violence has been in the works for more than two years, but has not yet led to any new laws.
And worrying attitudes about the acceptability of violence continue to persist.
Last year, a government survey found that some 16 percent of men and 7 percent of women living in Qatar believe a husband is justified in “hitting or beating” their wives in certain circumstances, namely if the woman leave the house without telling her spouse or if she neglects their children.
Thoughts?
So 1 out 6 believe it is OK to hit / beat the wive(s). Any stat available regarding housemaids/slaves ?
I think there was a beating etiquette circulating the web a while back. Do they teach it in school? Also, it doesn’t seem to be working very well on kids…a lot of King Geoffreys around here.
Doesn’t matter what percentage believes violence against women can be justified. It can’t. Not in any circumstances.
Just as violence against children or the elderly for that matter is never ever justifiable. When you hit someone who is unable to or not allowed to defend themselves you are a bully at the very least, plain and simple. When you persist in using violence to control someone then you are the lowest form of human possible. You will be found wanting when the time comes to weigh your soul.
Well done to the students for their illustrations. I particularly liked the one of the pregnant lady in the bird cage. Very poignant.
Striking artwork, raising the issues in graphic way. Women bear the brunt of domestic violence, not limited to family members but extending to female domestic staff too. Perhaps the reality should be shown amongst the art
……..or perhaps when they decry violence against women and children as in the article then the plight and suffering of the maids seem to be left out of this conference or they consider this as only a slight distraction
Every woman should have a SELF DEFENSE lesson for free…or much better make it compulsory.
I did not even know there was an art exhibition in QNCC, I really like that one with the hand holding a cage.
I think most women are seen as vessels. They are required to carry the child, speak when spoken to, cover to protect modesty, beauty, ugliness and maybe bruises.
With the view some men have towards women it is surprising to think they have a mother.