The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched its first-ever anti-domestic abuse advertisement, which aims to encourage women to report abuses.
The first ever anti-domestic violence campaign in Saudi Arabia features a picture of a Saudi woman, her black eye clearly visible through her burka
The new ad, which features a woman in a burqa with a black eye next to the slogan “Some things can’t be covered: Fighting women’s abuse together”, is part of the No More Abuse campaign, which was launched by the country’s King Khalid Foundation.
“The phenomenon of battered women in Saudi Arabia is much greater than is apparent on the surface”, the organisation says on its site. “It is a phenomenon found in the dark. We want to achieve justice for all women and children exposed to abuse in all parts of the Kingdom.”
Women in Saudi have to receive permission from their husbands, brothers or fathers in order to travel, study or work. In addition, Saudi Arabia is currently ranked 131 out of 148 for gender parity in the World Economic Forum’s 2012 Global Gender Gap Report.
Despite most domestic abuse not beeing reported, violence against women and female children is taking place and figures are increasing.
King Abdullah is changing women’s situation in the country. So far, he gave women the right to vote and run for office in municipal elections; and he also authorised two female athletes to compete in the last Olympic Games.
