The United Nations in the State of Kuwait in collaboration with Intisar Foundation organized a joint UN75Talk webinar and discussion titled “Women, War, Mental Health and The Quest For Peace” in order to present how drama therapy, as one of the most effective psychological support programmes, can help in healing and empowering women impacted by war across the Arab world. The webinar was open to public for all interested participants who registered through an online platform.
The overall aim of the “Women, War, Mental Health and The Quest for Peace” webinar is to highlight the lack of mental health care for refugees in the Arab world, allowing the audience to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges refugee women face.
The webinar was cohosted by the Representative of United Nations Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator to the State of Kuwait Dr Tarek Elsheikh an the Founder and President of Intisar Foundation HE Sheikha Intisar Al-Sabah, with the participation of pioneering humanitarians and altruistic panel in the Arab region, including Dr. Lina Kreidie, Senior Researcher at Intisar Foundation; Mr. Mohammad Naciri, Director of UNWomen Asia Pacific Region; and Dr. Samer Haddadin, Head of UNHCR Office to the State of Kuwait. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Karma Ekmekji, Advisor on Women Peace and Security, Founder of Diplowomen and Member of the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network (MWMN).
Dr. Tarek Elsheikh stated that: “As Arab countries have previously dealt with and continue to suffer from wars and armed conflict especially in these times of crisis and fighting COVID-19 pandemic, a lasting negative impact is inevitable on the psychological and emotional well-being of the survivors. Women are especially more vulnerable to the psychological impact of these events as they are often the most badly affected, and least likely to be the perpetrators of violence.”
HH Sheikha Intisar added that: “ This joint webinar/UN75Talk focused on the implications of conflict on the mental health of Arab women, its larger consequences on the families and communities that surround them, what is the role of civil society in addressing this issue and how psychological support can play a role in restoring inner peace and peace in the Arab world. Women suffer disproportionately in terms of mental and physical health. This issue raises a lot of consequences that must be addressed on a national and community level.”
Dr. Tarek Elsheikh welcomes Intisar Foundation’s unique and innovative approach in their mission to bring peace to the Arab world by addressing and supporting different methods to achieving and maintaining peace, especially relating to helping women affected by war to improve their living situation through launching the #OneMillionArabWomen initiative, a 20-year plan to alleviate war trauma in one million Arab women through drama therapy. Such initiatives fall seamlessly with the UN peacekeeping mandate in helping countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. We have unique strengths, including legitimacy to address a range of mandates set by the UN Security Council and General Assembly. Moreover, the UN promotes and believe that women peacekeepers improve overall peacekeeping performance, have greater access to communities, help in promoting human rights and the protection of civilians, and encourage women to become a meaningful part of peace and political processes.”
The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racism protests have shown us how desperately we need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world: a world where no one is left behind. It has never been clearer that all of us have a role to play in order to bring about change. Everyone can make a difference. This is at the heart of UNHCR’s World Refugee Day campaign. This year, we aim to remind the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world.”
HH Sheikha Intisar added that: “the Foundation is a UK-based humanitarian organization and the first charity organization in the Middle East that is focused entirely on healing Arab women from war trauma by providing them psychological support free of cost. All programmes provided by the Foundation use drama therapy, a form of creative arts therapy. Furthermore, the Foundation’s unique model of group drama therapy sessions, which was developed in-house, ensures the most effective and sustained psychological improvement for the beneficiaries.
In that manner, the Intisar Foundation programmes have helped hundreds of refugee women overcome trauma, depression and become empowered to rebuild their lives. In addition, the Foundation regularly conducts surveys and publishes research papers about its work and the positive impact of drama therapy on war-affected Arab women. Its latest research paper has shed light on the merits and necessity of mental health care support for the vulnerable population of refugees. It has also examined the various findings tied around drama therapy as a psychological intervention.”
The webinar was of great interest to the participants and was well attended by various partners from different sectors. The discussion was fruitful in analyzing different bottom-up approaches to healing and empowering Arab women impacted by war. Hence, to help better position women to reduce future violence in their communities and region at large.