By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has directed the Ministry of Social Affairs to introduce 100 job opportunities for social protection workers. The directives include establishing new social protection units.
The new job opportunities were announced Saturday by Dr. Ali Sulaiman Al-Hinaki, Director General for Social Affairs in Makkah Region while he was addressing a press conference prior to a three-day meeting and workshop opening Monday to discuss family violence.
Prince Misha’l Bin Majed, Governor of Jeddah, will inaugurate the event on behalf of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of the Makkah Region, who called for the meeting.
Hinaki said that the gathering aims to enhance awareness regarding family protection especially for those working in police stations, courts, charity organizations and reconciliation centers.
“About 23 male and female specialists will present their topics in open discussions with interested attendees. These topics will be printed and distributed for the benefit of specialists and others interested in the topic,” Hinaki added.
He noted that some fathers follow the methods used by their elders in raising children. “Some people think that severity in raising children is necessary. They see their ancestors’ methods in monitoring children as the way that can work best nowadays,” he said.
“This is definitely a big mistake since times have changed and the way of doing things has changed with it,” he added.
He also added that children’s disobedience and running away from home are the results of such severe instructive methods. “Some fathers have also become narcotics addicts and they mistreat their children in a way that makes the life of the girl, boy or even the wife miserable.”
Hinaki is proud that he was the first person to introduce the concept of “House Protection Comes Last”. He pointed out that many violence cases have been solved within the family itself.
“As in all societies, there are always wise people from whom we can seek assistance to solve many family conflicts. We have, in fact, succeeded a lot in that respect. We always say that the one who is exposed to family violence will ultimately get back to his/her family. So, we’d better find solutions within the family range,” he said.
He added that they receive calls from girls and wives claiming that they are mistreated in their homes. “Our social agents always try to calm the caller down and start advising her that it is not appropriate to rake up sentiments. These agents ask for contact numbers of far-sighted relatives in the family to help in that regard,” he said.
He noted that there are some minor family problems that can accumulate when different parties interfere. “This then is the importance of the role of wise relatives,” he said.
Hinaki estimated that some 650 people have recently been enrolled in social protection houses in the Makkah region.
He told Saudi Gazette that there are now 17 social protection houses in the Kingdom. He added that the Jeddah Social Protection House hosts from 60 to 90 girls and wives who have been victims of home violence.
“The ratio is less in cities like Taif and Makkah, thanks to tribal and social ties that help settle family conflicts. In these two cities, we find that protection houses host some 15 to 20 victims,” he added.
Hinaki also urged those who face any sort of home violence to call 1919, Kingdom-wide, or to visit the website www.hemayah.org to report violence. – SG
No comments:
Post a Comment