Centre hopes to raise BD10,000 in support of women's empowerment

A LOCAL group dedicated to helping victims of abuse is hoping to raise BD10,000 in support of women’s empowerment activities.

The Women’s Crisis Care International (WCCI) is hosting a fundraiser in the form of a masquerade ball on Thursday at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art.

Tickets are still available to the event, which will be held under the theme ‘Celebrate the Colours of Empowerment’ and aims to support the group’s activities for the next year.

Highlights of the evening will include a dinner, classical dancers, an art exhibition, an auction, a raffle draw and an award for the best-masked guest, alongside a concert by Bahraini artist Banah and a magic show by French artist Mary Lou.

WCCI founder Mary-Justine Todd said all proceeds from the event will go towards supporting women’s empowerment programmes at WCCI, which mainly include an advocacy programme in which over 120 trained women support victims of domestic or sexual violence through two helplines – in Arabic and English.

“We have two 24/7 hotlines in Arabic and English, which are manned by first responders or advocates who are trained free of charge,” she told the GDN.

“WCCI requires all volunteers to complete a 40-hour training before starting as a volunteer crisis advocate along with training manuals and materials.

“WCCI provides personal support for women who have been subjected to domestic or sexual violence as well as medium and long-term casework support for victims of abuse.

“We also provide community education and outreach to support women’s empowerment awareness.

“We aim to raise BD10,000 from the ball which will help us to sustain these programmes in 2019.”

WCCI also offers legal support to women who do not have the means to hire a lawyer for divorce proceedings, immigration issues, and/or other issues related to their abuse.

It also provides transport to clients who do not have cars, or money for transportation to hospitals, police stations or courts.

“We often help women who have gone through divorces or have lost access to family money, and they have no means of feeding their children,” explained Ms Todd.

“Occasionally, a woman needs safe refuge but has no family to stay with and because she is scared to file a police report against her abuser, she will not be able to stay in a shelter.

“In these cases, WCCI will pay for several nights in a secure hotel location until she can figure out another plan of action.

“Sometimes the children of victims do not speak Arabic and thus can’t enter public schools – in these cases, WCCI pays for the school fees until alternative arrangements can be made.”

Ms Todd said the theme of Thursday’s ball was empowering women, both victims of violence and the wider community.

“We hope to inspire and encourage women into the purpose of our programmes which is not just supporting the victims of abuse, but also to encourage them and in turn empower,” she added.

“Most of the evening’s programmes are unique and guests are invited to come and celebrate with WCCI, wearing colourful and elaborate masks that reflect their own creativity, colour and empowerment to support women and families.”

Tickets to the ball cost BD30 and for more information, contact 38401656.

The GDN earlier reported that WCCI’s clients increased by 400 per cent from launching its operations in 2016 to last year, and by another 200pc from last year to this year. In the last 12 months, WCCI has worked to empower women, during more than 500 situations of abuse, violence and harassment.

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/442462

 

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