Women’s Hotline open

Wednesday, 25 April 2007
By Arjuwan Lakkadawala
The Saudi Gaazette

SAUDI women who find themselves troubled, stressed out or at wit's end, now have a place to turn.

Al-Shaka'ik, an organization dedicated to helping women and girls, has created a hotline women can call for guidance and advice.

Women and girls can call 6917799 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Since the hotline opened, it has received 1,162 calls, mostly marital issues or emotional problems.

"One of our primary aims," said Intesar Salam Al-Sabban of Al-Shaka'ik, "is to give girls and women emotional support so that they can feel mentally stable, which is the only way that they can feel happy. "

In addition to the hotline, Al-Shaka'ik also runs a program that teaches girls how to be successful wives, teaching them the tools that are necessary to handle both the small and the large issues that inevitably crop up in marriages. The girls are also taught cooking and home decoration. The organization also offers programs for mothers, teachers and students.

"When a woman is aware of herself and has received the support of others, not only she will profit but society as a whole will profit, as well," said Nora Khalid Al-Saad, an Al-Shaka'ik member.