PARIS (WAM)

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Paris has renewed its partnership with “Léa Solidarité Femmes” (LSF), a charity specialising in assisting women and children subjected to domestic and family violence.

In 2022, the embassy supported the creation of the first emergency shelter in the LSF network, “Maison Solidarité Femmes 91”, which has since provided shelter for more than 80 women and children.

The renewed support from the Embassy of the UAE will enable LSF to enhance its anti-poverty services and refurbish its premises at the Maison Solidarité Femmes.

In 2023, more than 1,500 women benefited from LSF's anti-poverty services through the provision of basic necessities and a safe space for women and children who were victims of domestic and family violence. This support will also enable two new professionals to be recruited to the LSF team: a clinical psychologist and an early childhood educator.

The embassy has also announced the organisation of a trip to the UAE for several women and children supported by LSF. As well as enabling them to experience the richness and diversity of Emirati culture, the group will be able to learn about the Emirati values of empowering women and protecting children, inspired by the principles of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

As part of the renewal announcement, a lunch was organised with a number of activities for children, enabling them to celebrate the values of sport carried by the UAE to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A visit was also organised to the UAE’s Olympic House in Paris, which allowed the women and children supported by LSF to learn more about Emirati culture. Three Emirati athletes - Maha Abdullah Al Shehi, Safia Al Sayegh and Yousef Rashid Al Matroushi - also attended to talk about their sporting and Olympic careers.

Similar to the embassy's charitable partnerships, the UAE Olympic House illustrates the values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence and solidarity that are key values of the nation, while reflecting the true spirit of the Olympics. The venue was designed to reflect the UAE’s customs and traditions, its innovative spirit and dedication to hospitality.

Hend Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to France, said, “The renewal of this partnership in highlights the importance attached by the UAE to the empowerment of women and the protection of children as key facets for social cohesion. The Embassy is pleased to contribute to the UAE's international actions to support women and children and to reaffirm its commitments to the centre, particularly as the need for such support continues to grow. As we deepen our relationship with LSF, I was again deeply moved to hear the stories of these women undergoing difficult challenges. This support is part of the embassy’s efforts to help alleviate some of the difficulties they face.”

Patricia Rouff, founder and director of Léa Solidarité Femmes, said, “We are honoured by the trust placed in us by the United Arab Emirates. It is with partners who are committed to the long term that we can carry out our mission to provide better support for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. We would like to thank the embassy once again for this exceptional day of solidarity and sport.”