Dubai counsellors work to help abused or trafficked women find jobs

Survivors of abuse, trafficking and domestic violence are helped with finding internships, employment and affordable homes after completing therapy.

DUBAI // Internships, employment, regular income and an affordable home are the goals of women who have gone to Dubai Foundation for Women and Children for therapy.

The foundation encourages the women to test the job market.

Counsellors emphasise that that is a transitionary phase, with support to allow the women the means to study, work or return to their home country.

“We encourage women during rehabilitation to find opportunities to improve their life,” said Afra Al Basti.

“We take into consideration an education plan and employment while rehabilitating them in our shelter. We ensure that they arrange their own places and direct them to find a job in order to start their own lives.”

About 48 women from the shelter and those who visit for counselling have found jobs after training in the past two years.

L’Oreal Middle East joined with the foundation to train 10 victims of human trafficking to specialise in make-up.

The trainees will receive a diploma in professional make-up artistry and a make-up kit that could help them start businesses, and the company will help them find jobs, said Thierry Houssin, managing director.

“We teach them interpersonal skills,” Mr Houssin said.

Counsellor Amna Al Mutawaa said: “We empower the women to visit different sectors to study the market demand and to invest in training accordingly.”

During the trial period, the foundation monitors progress.

“We want to ensure that they will be able to survive before discharging them,” said Amina Hussain bin Hammad, a counsellor.

The foundation also works with organisations their home country to ease their return.

“Some families don’t know what they go through,” said Hamda Ahmed, case manager.