MUSCAT, Sept 10 - The first Arab Forum for Women will be held under the theme, ‘Be conscious of your psychological health’, from September 17 to 19. The event, organised by Arabian Gate Expo (AGE), will discuss women’s issues and emphasise the concept of psychological health for women.
It aims to change the “typical thinking of the public” towards this kind of health. It will also look at establishing a database for cooperation in the field of exchanging experiences and initiatives related to women’s health as well as spreading awareness about possible mental diseases that can affect women.
The event will host 20 Arab speakers, including decision-makers and those interested in women’s affairs in different fields such as arts, media, culture, etc. Speaking at a press conference on the forum on Sunday at the Ministry of Information, Sayyida Basma Al Said, founder of Whispers of Serenity Clinic for Mental Health, said the concept of psychological health in the Arab communities needs to be emphasised.
Ruqia al Maani, Executive Officer of AGE, mentioned said the forum will be divided into five main sessions with nine workshops. “We will have an accompanying exhibition, while two films ‘Women Singing’ and ‘Wake Me Up’, an international award winner, will be screened.”
Al Maani said the targeted audience are youth. “We want the college students to be aware of these issues.”
The Saudi representative of Women’s Commission for Development and Peace, Awatif al Thanian, said dealing with social media is top priority when talking about the influence of media in people’s lives.
“For long, we have been trapped in a social ideology that looks at new ‘smart media’ as intruders of privacy but one should be smart enough to make use of it for his own good.”
Al Thanian said the issues to be discussed in the forum will draw a roadmap for generations to come. “The forum also seeks innovative thinking in the media and emotional smartness.”
Zainab al Nassri
Pictures by Khalfan al Tobi
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