The workshop of Research Studies on Combating Violence against Women, which was held this week, recommended formulating a preventive approach and legal measures to deter violence against women, creating an integrated database to measure the extent of violence against them, developing an action plan to enhance their protection, and working to raise awareness and educate the community properly. The workshop was held at the conclusion of the 'My Protection' Forum, which lasted for about two weeks.

The forum was part of the launch of the global campaign '16 Days of Activism to End Violence against Women'. It aimed to publicize the relevant laws and regulations, and raise awareness of types of violence and their effects. It was held with the participation of several entities in Makkah, including the Mediation Committee under the Emirate of Makkah region, the Human Rights Association branch, the Committee of Family Affairs Council, the Social Protection Unit, the Yusr Women's Center for Family Reform, and the Girls Care Foundation.

The workshop recommendations pointed out the importance of the inclusion of different women age groups in the studies of violence against women, increasing awareness programs and campaigns in the relevant ministries, educational specialties assigning more interest in studying the issue of violence against women, and involving men in the efforts made.

The workshop presented research studies on combating violence against women from legal, educational, and medical perspectives.

During the first session, the Vice Dean of Library Affairs, Dr. Amina Al-Ahmadi, revealed some community polling statistics. The most prevalent forms of violence against women appear in society; most notably, psychological violence is over 46%, negligence is approximately 27%, physical violence is 13%, followed by exploitation at 12%.

The poll votes indicated that 73% of husbands commits acts of violence against their wives, and that 83% of this violence occurs in the home. The statistics also revealed that approximately 61% of community members do not know the relevant authorities to report violence against women.

As for the legal perspective, the Deputy Director of the Islamic Research Center for Islamic Studies, Prof. Afnan Telmisani, and the D`awah College Vice Dean for Training and Community Service, Dr. Salma bint Dawud, gave various statistical presentations revealing 231 scientific theses, research, and studies, all fully specialized in violence against women. There were many contributions from researchers and specialists at Umm Al-Qura University. The results of measuring community awareness of the issue of violence against women showed a convergence in the results of answering a question indicating that violence against women is a widespread phenomenon in Saudi society. On the other hand, a very large percentage of participants in the questionnaire were not aware of studies and research related to the abuse of women from legal and psychological perspectives. Conversely, a very large percentage supported the need for more studies and research to find out the causes of violence, its manifestations, effects, and methods of treatment.

With regard to educational research on combating violence against women, the Deputy Head of the Department of Islamic Education, Dr. Sarah Al-Mutairi, and the Deputy Director of the Psychological and Educational Research Center, Dr. Amani Al-Dusari, reviewed related research at the College of Education at Umm Al-Qura University, shedding light on the research gaps and areas that need further study and directing female researchers to tackle them.

Educational research on combating violence against women is classified into four categories, the first of which is concerned with describing and assessing reality. The second focuses on raising awareness. The third provides prevention methods. The fourth deals with treatment.

The objectives of this session focus on protecting the family and treating its problems. It is one of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs. This made the Ministry of Labor and Social Development set a strategic goal for devising a proprietary family protection system.

From a medical viewpoint, Associate Professor at the Community Health and Mass Gathering Health Care Department, Dr. Manal Abu Al-Majd, explained the impact of violence on women's health, presenting various types of violence, such as discrimination, persecution, oppression, and aggression.

During her talk, she touched on some of the results of scientific research on the impact of violence on women's health.

At the conclusion of the workshop, the Vice President of Female Student Affairs, Dr. Sarah bint Omar Al-Khuli, honored the organizing and participating bodies for the efforts they have made to make the activities of the My Protection Forum successful over the past two weeks.