A ray of hope for survivors of domestic violence

There are few honours greater than being entrusted with the role of supporting those who have faced hardship with courage and resilience.

- Hend Al Otaiba

I have been engaged with Léa Solidarité Femmes (LSF) since 2021, an association dedicated to offering refuge, guidance, and empowerment to women and children survivors of abuse. Recently named marraine — a term that in French signifies a godmother, someone who offers support and guidance with compassion and care — I view this role not only as a privilege but as a continued commitment to stand alongside these women and children, wherever I may be, including from my home in Abu Dhabi.

Founded in 2009 by Patricia Rouff, LSF last year supported 271 new women and 63 new children, in addition to the ongoing care it provides to more than 600 survivors. From my own experience working abroad, I have seen how travel can offer perspective, healing, and the opportunity for meaningful connection.

Abu Dhabi, known for its safety and hospitality, offers not only remarkable landscapes and cultural richness but also the space to reflect, reconnect and reset. Abu Dhabi served as a place of welcome and care for 25 women and children from LSF, offering a meaningful pause on their journey towards healing. I am deeply grateful to Patricia for embracing this initiative, and moved by the impact it has had. As she recently shared with me, “In addition to the fact that this wonderful trip allowed these families to discover incredible landscapes and cultural sites, which they likely would never have had the opportunity to see, it above all restored their self-confidence and strengthened their self-esteem. Domestic violence infringes upon the integrity of women and children. This magnificent gift has been restorative, providing them with all the necessary strength to start a new, more peaceful life.”