Women’s Crisis Care: Bahrain Story #53
#100 Bahrain Stories is the beautiful brainchild of Tanzeel Jabbar-Khadir. As an Australian writer with Indian and Pakistani heritage, Tanzeel relocated to the small Gulf island of Bahrain several years ago and embarked upon a personal project to interview 100 people from all walks of life in her new home. TCK TOWN is proud and excited to be able to share the stories from some of the 100 inspiring people that were interviewed. These stories have even been published as a book. Take a look at the end of this article to find out where you can purchase it. We hope you enjoy this series as much as we do!
“ Growing up in the American Midwest, my mother instilled in me a strong sense of justice as she lived by the adage: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men (and women) do nothing.” This set down the foundations for who I am today
As an undergraduate student, I first travelled to Africa in 2001 to broaden my perception of the world. The chronic poverty I witnessed left a lasting impression and when I came home to my manicured life in Iowa, it was hard to pretend that the suffering I had seen didn’t exist. From then on, women's protection and community development became a focal point in my life. I went on to complete my Master's Degree on the response and prevention of gender-based violence in East Africa. I then worked for various government and non-government organisations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on the development and management of social welfare projects in areas of humanitarian crisis. In 2008, I returned to the US to complete a Master of Public Health (focusing on how communities across the world protect women from violence) and took up a research role in New York.
Love is what initially brought me to Bahrain. I never thought that I would move anywhere for anyone, but I packed my bags and moved here to marry the man I fell in love with. Landing up here without a job, I spent my initial months on the Island exploring. As I researched Bahrain’s community sector, I was struck by what I saw as a great opportunity to introduce women’s crisis support services to Bahrain. Having spent the preceding years implementing programs for organisations around the world, I decided that I had the experience and skills to establish a women’s crisis and advocacy centre right here in Bahrain. To get it off the ground was monumental and I was fortunate to have a number of compassionate and progressive Bahraini women on board. After several years of hard work behind the scenes, Women’s Crisis Care International (WCCI) finally began operations in February 2016.
I am actively involved with training volunteers and today we can proudly say that there are more than fifty women’s crisis advocates on board who speak more than 20 languages. We operate a 24 hour helpline and 24 hour face to face crisis support, seven days a week and are available to assist women from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. As the first women’s crisis program in the Middle East, we have handled almost 200 cases since opening our doors and have now successfully implemented our program at the American Mission Hospital where we have trained staff to recognise the signs and symptoms of domestic violence and address concerns with discretion and respect.
For a small island, Bahrain has set an example by promoting women’s protection. The Bahraini people are compassionate and progressive and this was highlighted in 2015 when Bahrain became one of the first countries in the Middle East to outlaw domestic violence. As October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, it is important to recognise that achievement but also realise that there is more that communities can do. Ultimately, this is not a men’s issue or a women’s issue. It’s a community issue. As domestic violence thrives in silence, the key to change is breaking the silence. By empowering women to speak up and communities to speak out, we are playing an important part in creating an overall happier, healthier and more compassionate and productive society.
As a certified Hatha Yoga practitioner and teacher, I have a strong connection with the philosophy of yoga, which places love, respect, kindness and balance at the centre of one's life. I try to make sure that the wisdom of those teachings is at the heart of all that I am and all that I do."
Interviewee: Mary-Justine Todd (From USA. Living in Bahrain)
The #100 Bahrain Stories book is currently available at Neo Books and Coffee and all Jashanmal Bookstores in Bahrain. If you are not in Bahrain and would like to order a copy, please email: storiesbahrain@gmail.com