Saudi Arabia Launches First Campaign Exposing Domestic Violence Against Women

Saudi Arabia has launched its first public campaign against domestic abuse.

The ad features a woman in a black burka with only her eyes revealed — one of them bruised and bloodshot. The powerful photo includes the caption, “Some things can’t be covered — fighting women’s abuse together.”

Run by the King Khalid Foundation, the campaign focuses on raising awareness and finding more legal protection for battered women in Saudi Arabia.

The foundation also says domestic abuse in the country is much more common than reported, and many victims don't receive justice or an outlet for support.

In 2012, Human Rights Watch's World Report noted that Saudi Arabia failed to protect the rights of 9 million women and girls, adding that women in the country were banned from travelling, studying, or working without permission from male guardians. The country is also the only nation that doesn't allow women to drive.

But even with these barriers, the women of Saudi Arabia have seen slow change. In 2011, women were given the right to vote and run in municipal elections...in 2015. Just recently, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah announced women he would appoint to the nations’s consultative Shura Council, similar to parliament, according to Time Magazine.

What do you think of this campaign? Let us know in the comments below.

The Full Advert: 



Notable Anti-Domestic Violence Campaigns



Honor Blackman
Women's Aid won an award for their domestic violence awareness campaign, which saw celebrities including Anna Friel, Fern Britton, Jemma Kidd and Honor Blackman made-over to appear as if they had been beaten.




Clare Wood
In September the Home Office began piloting a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, known as Clare's Law. It was so named to honour Clare Wood, who was strangled and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend. 

It proposes to give women "the right to know" if a partner has a history of domestic violence. The scheme came into being after campaigning to protect women from Michael Brown, the father of the murder victim.




Lauren Luke
Self-taught make-up artist Lauren Luke appeared before her YouTube subscribers in July looking battered and bruised. 

While the bruises were fake, the video, made in collaboration with UK charity Refuge sent a clear message to women across the globe: "65 per cent of women who suffer domestic violence keep it hidden. Don't cover it up." http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=d-XHPHRlWZk




Keira Knightley
Atonement actress Keira Knightley starred in a 2009 Women's Aid ad which saw her punched and kicked to the ground. Shot by Atonement director Joe Wright, the clip was deemed "too violent" and was censored before it was shown on TV.




Chris Brown
An 'unofficial' campaign was carried out against singer Chris Brown, who found his latest album, Fortune, slapped with stickers reading: "WARNING: Do not buy this album! This man beats women!"

There are many reasons to be opposed to the VAWA-- domestic violence should not be an issue handed by the federal government. There is no real proof that it has prevented domestic violence and it promotes ugly stereotypes about men and women. Radical feminists portray men as violent predators and women as helpless victims-- shame on them. About 40 percent of victims of domestic violence are men.

Often, women and girls are most in danger where they should be the safest: inside their homes and with their families.

Norway and Half the Sky Movement invite are hosting a panel discussion on effective prevention methods and a conversation on the next steps in the movement to end domestic violence.

Time: March 4th, 2013, 6.30 - 8PM

Panel:

H.E. Ms. Inga Marte Thorkildsen, Norway's Minister of Gender Equality

Ms. Archana Pyati, Deputy Director, Immigration Intervention Project Sanctuary for Families

Mr. Ted Bunch, Co-Founder A Call to Men

Ms. Jackie Payne, Director Move to End Violence

Ms. Audrey Moore, (TBC) Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit and Special Victims Bureau, New York County's District Attorney's Office


President Obama Signs the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization

Joe Biden Entire Speech VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT SIGNING

Domestic violence victims praise Violence Against Women Act

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