The complete guide to Dubai Foundation For Women & Children
Established in 2007, the Dubai Foundation for Women & Children (DFWAC) provides protection and support to victims of abuse, violence and human trafficking in the UAE. DFWAC is the first licensed shelter for women and children in the country that operates on a non-profit basis. Today, we will discuss the history, objectives and services of the Dubai Foundation for Women & Children.
DFWAC History
DFWAC was launched in 2007 to provide immediate relief to female and child victims of violence and trafficking in the UAE. The organisation operates in accordance with international human rights and aims to transform Dubai into a city free of violence.
Her Excellency Afra Al Basti, Director-General DFWAC, says ‘we at Dubai Foundation for Women and Children try to be like Dubai, love life and embrace it.’
Being the first-of-its-kind shelter in the UAE for women and children, DFWAC has received the support and trust of the public because of its dedicated services over the years. In 2018, the foundation supported victims of 1027 unique cases. This is just a snapshot of the scope of services diligently provided by DFWAC.
DFWAC Services
The foundation provides a range of services.
Sheltering
Any urgent cases transferred to the foundation by official entities in the UAE as well as individuals with an immediate risk to their safety can receive shelter at DFWAC. Sheltering services include temporary but secure accommodation. The foundation also takes care of daily needs like food, clothing and medicine.
Services for External Clients
External clients are those that do no require sheltering, but who are in need of other forms of assistance by DFWAC.
Social
Social services by DFWAC conduct a thorough study of each case. This involves communicating with family members so that they are on board when it comes to finding solutions for the client. DFWAC also communicates with the various departments in the UAE and even abroad, if necessary.
Psychological
If a client develops symptoms of mental illness, they can sign up for therapy at DFWAC’s psychiatric department. They can get individual sessions, group sessions or opt for family therapy and play therapy. The foundation will also connect them with relevant support groups. All the clients have to do is fill a clinical remittance form.
Legal
With a permanent legal advisor on board, the foundation provides a range of legal services to their clients. These include:
- Advice on how to communicate with local legal bodies
- Education and awareness of clients’ legal rights
- Instruction on legal procedures, such as opening a case file
Medical
Moving on, sheltered clients at the foundation can receive all kinds of medical services. The organisation provides these services free of cost in partnership with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
Recreation
DFWAC also conducts several constructive activities within and outside their premises. The purpose of these recreational activities is to develop the social aspects of the client’s personality during their rehabilitation. Activities include celebrations of important calendar events like International Women’s Day, International Day of Happiness and National Day.
Education
One major service of the foundation is its commitment to educating the received cases. DFWAC offers clients educational opportunities in schools, universities and other institutes with help from the relevant authorities. The foundation itself provides learning opportunities with courses on science, culture, languages, technology etc.
Helpline
Anyone residing in the UAE can call the DFWAC helpline (800-111) at any time of the day to receive urgent help, for consultations, to learn more about the organisation or to get general awareness when it comes to violence against women and children. The foundation emphasises professionalism and efficiency in their helpline services so that the greatest number of people can avail of the service. Call centre employees at the foundation receive the highest degree of training to handle all types of calls and to make the best judgements regarding the client’s status. All calls remain confidential and are never recorded.
How to Support DFWAC
People in the UAE can boost DFWAC’s efforts in several ways. For instance, individuals with educational, vocational and recreational training can consider volunteering with the foundation. Simply visit the ‘Volunteer’ page in the ‘Support Us’ section of the DFWAC website to fill a form and submit your CV.
And of course, you can also support the foundation through Zakat, donations and sponsorships. You can learn more about this on the ‘Sponsorship’ page in the ‘Support Us’ section of the website. Further information on donations and sponsorships can be sought through the foundation’s helpline.
Jobs at DFWAC
Another way to contribute to the cause of DFWAC is to work at the organisation. Simply visit the ‘Careers’ page on the ‘Others’ section of the official website to learn about available vacancies. You can also apply directly on the page by filling a form and the foundation will contact you.
DFWAC Location
The foundation is located in Al Aweer, Dubai.
DFWAC Contact Details
You can reach out to DFWAC through their official website. You can use the live chat service or leave a message on the ‘Contact Us’ page. The DFWAC phone number is +971-4-606-0300.
You can also download the latest version of the DFWAC mobile app to stay in touch with the foundation.
FAQs
Who is eligible for DFWAC services?
DFWAC offers its services to all nationals and residents of Dubai. The foundation also accommodates cases from other emirates if they cannot find any other service provider.
Does DFWAC provide financial assistance?
While DFWAC takes care of their clients’ physical and mental needs, they do not provide financial assistance in the form of rent, school fees or hospital bills.
How can men benefit from DFWAC?
Men can receive consultation services from the foundation.
This concludes our guide to the Dubai Foundation for Women & Children. The organisation is one of the many institutions working tirelessly to make Dubai a safe and inclusive place for all.
You can also read about facilities for People of Determination in Dubai to see how the city takes care of its special segment of the population.
Those looking for academic institutes for children with special needs can check out our blog on the best special needs schools in Dubai. And if you are seeking opportunities to give back to the community, you can explore the Takatof program by the Emirates Foundation.
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