DFWAC launches 'Our Digital Safety' campaign in celebration of stop Cyberbullying Day, engaging 100 young participants
The campaign also sought to encourage students to embrace safe digital practices and positive behaviours, including tolerance and respect online.
As part of the campaign, a week-long online competition was held for public and private school students from grades three to seven across Dubai, with the participation of 100 students. Delivered via the Fillout platform in both Arabic and English, the contest featured 15 multiple-choice questions focused on identifying cyberbullying and understanding how to prevent it. Schools received the competition link
To reinforce learning, the Foundation distributed tailored digital awareness content to participating students and their parents via email after the competition concluded. The material was designed to sustain the campaign's impact and promote continued dialogue at home about safe internet practices.
Complementing these efforts, the Foundation also published a series of educational posts across its official social media channels. These posts offered guidance to adults on how to recognizeze and respond to signs of cyberbullying in order to minimize its spread and support victims within the community.
Her Excellency Shaikha Saeed Al Mansouri, Acting Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, stated that early awareness is the most effective line of defence against all forms of violence, including cyberbullying, an issue that continues to grow alongside the rising use of technology among children and adolescents. 'In line with the directives of our wise leadership, we are committed to playing our awareness and preventive role by helping to build a safe and supportive digital environment for everyone,' she said.
Al Mansouri went on to say that the Foundation is inspired by the humanitarian vision of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), the "Mother of the UAE. 'Her Highness is a role model in supporting the rights of women and children, and her initiatives have led to a qualitative leap in protection, care, and empowerment across the country,' Al Mansouri added.
She concluded by saying, 'Today, we are proud to observe Stop Cyberbullying Day as we continue our efforts to spread awareness about the dangers of cyberbullying. We are committed to creating an integrated environment that prioritises prevention and promotes community partnerships to build a healthier digital future.'
The campaign concluded with the announcement of ten student winners, who were each awarded an AED 500 gift card provided by Mirdif City Centre, totalling AED 5,000 in prizes. The winners' names were shared via the Foundation's official platforms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Bahrain: Three initiatives launched to save water
Bahrain - Three initiatives have been launched by the United Nations Habitat office in Bahrain, in partnership with local entities, to save more than 250,000 cubic metres of water. The programme will include leak repairs in 250 households, distribution of efficient water fixtures through charities and the introduction of greywater recycling programmes at 50 mosques across the kingdom. 'The project is part of a larger initiative to save water in Bahrain,' UN-Habitat Bahrain associate programme officer for architecture and urban planning Mohamed Dadabhai told the GDN. 'The goal of the project is to save 250,000 cubic metres of water. We're doing this through three ways. 'Firstly, we will be repairing leaks at 250 homes in Bahrain. Secondly, we will be procuring 200 water fixtures, like showerheads, and giving them out to charities to distribute to different homes. 'Thirdly, we're installing 50 greywater systems into mosques in which they can recycle the ablution water to use for the graveyards and landscaping around the area. 'Both the design and execution of the greywater systems will be done through one of our local consultants.' Mr Dadabhai was speaking on the sidelines of an information session at the Bahrain Chamber yesterday to enlist local businesses in the project, which is being designed and implemented in partnership with Nestle and the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA). 'The EWA already has their own monitoring system and complaints hotline to see which homes are likely to have leaks, so they will be providing us with details as and when they come up,' Mr Dadabhai explained. 'This initiative will benefit both Bahrainis and expatriates, located across all the municipalities of Bahrain.' For the distribution of water fixtures, the UN-Habitat office has partnered with the Isa Town charity in a pilot project, to ensure the showerheads go to households in need, like those with extraordinarily high EWA bills. The UN office has also partnered with both the Sunni Endowments Directorate and the Jaffari Waqf Directorate to instal greywater systems at 50 mosques across the kingdom. Greywater systems are a type of on-site wastewater treatment to collect and reuse wastewater from sources like showers, sinks, and in the case of Bahrain, ablution, for non-potable purposes, primarily irrigation. These systems help reduce water consumption, lower water bills, and potentially decrease the load on wastewater treatment plants and septic systems. 'The project started in December last year, when we started doing assessments and studies,' Mr Dadabhai added. 'Now that we are ready to start implementation, we are approaching local businesses to bid for the initiatives.' According to Mr Dadabhai, the greywater systems will be rolled out later this year, while the leak repairs and fixtures are likely to continue into the first quarter of next year. Another key component of the project will be a public awareness water-saving campaign, for which the UN-Habitat office will invite the Supreme Council for Environment as well as the Sustainable Development Ministry. 'Bahrain is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world and there are a lot of national initiatives launched in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister,' Mr Dadabhai added. 'In this campaign, we're planning to spread awareness on saving water and also showcase the results we have achieved, while showing people some different techniques, what has worked with us, and how we can move forward with these results.' Participants at yesterday's information session The GDN recently reported on a study that highlighted strategies to better manage water resources, identifying the diversification of water sources and treated wastewater as key opportunities. Average daily water consumption from 2006 to 2023 The study also noted that over the last 19 years, the average daily water consumption in Bahrain has increased from 100.41 litres in 2006 to 163.75 litres per person in 2023, according to open source data published by the EWA. The production of distilled potable water has also increased to match this demand, standing at 60,991.55 million gallons in 2023, while groundwater production has dropped from 10,568.62 in 2006 to zero in 2020 and onwards. The UN-Habitat office is also working with the Municipalities Affairs Ministry to design and develop parks across the kingdom, after they completed a comprehensive study of all 154 public parks in Bahrain. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Ten Middle East countries with mandatory military service
In recent years, several Middle Eastern states have introduced or reintroduced military conscription, particularly in the Gulf, motivated by goals of national cohesion, identity, and addressing unemployment. This week, Jordan became the most recent nation to announce its intention to reintroduce mandatory military service 34 years after it was abolished in 1991. So, which countries have military conscription in the region, and what are the conditions for each? UAE: 9 – 24 months Introduced in 2014 under a 44-article law, Emirati men aged 18–30 must serve nine months if they hold a secondary education and 24 months if they do not. Women may volunteer. Kuwait: 12 months Kuwait reinstated conscription in 2017 after having it from 1961 to 2001. The government reintroduced mandatory military service to strengthen national identity and enhance military readiness. Qatar: 4 – 12 months In 2013, Qatar passed a law introducing mandatory military service, primarily to foster national identity and civic engagement among its citizens. The programme, implemented in 2015, aims to instil a sense of patriotism and belonging. In 2018, the programme was expanded to include women. Egypt: 12-36 months One of the most established conscription systems in the Mena region, in place since 1955. It also has one of the largest in the Arab world. All men between the ages of 18 and 30 are required to serve, with the duration depending on education level: 36 months for those without a high school diploma, 24 months for high school graduates, and 12 months for university graduates. Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia: Minimum 12 months Mandatory conscription was reintroduced in Morocco in 2019 for men and women aged 19-25. In Tunisia, conscription is compulsory for men and women between 20-25 and in Algeria all citizens over the age of 19 must also serve a mandatory period of 12 months. The primary motivation for reinstatement across these three North African nations has officially been to encourage social cohesion and ameliorate unemployment. Turkey: 6-12 months Military conscription in Turkey has existed continuously since 1927, making it one of the longest-standing in the region. Today, the service is typically 6-12 months, but may be shortened with a substantial financial contribution, and deferments are permitted for some students and professionals. Although women in Turkey have never been required to serve, they can do so voluntarily. Iran: 18-24 months Military conscription in Iran has existed since 1924 and is mandatory for men. Service usually lasts 24 months, with exemptions for students, medical conditions, only sons, and families of "martyrs". Women are not drafted, but may volunteer. Proof of service is critical for many aspects of daily life, making it one of the most binding conscription systems in the region. Israel: 24-32 months Israel has the most comprehensive and long-standing conscription system, covering both men and women. Introduced with the establishment of the state in 1948, the system requires Jewish men and women, as well as Druze men, to serve in the Israeli army. Men typically serve 32 months (reduced from the previous 36), while women serve 24 months (though some combat roles require 32). After active duty, all conscripts enter the reserves and may be called up for years. Certain groups are exempt: Israeli Arabs (with the exception of Druze and some Bedouin volunteers) and most ultra-Orthodox Jews, although this exemption has been fiercely contested in Israeli politics recently. Iraq: Abolished 2003 Iraq had compulsory military service for about 70 years from the 1930s until 2003. Since the US-led invasion and the fall of Saddam Hussein, Iraq has had no conscription system. Its armed forces are volunteer-only, though the idea of reinstating a draft has occasionally resurfaced in Iraqi politics. Syria: Abolished 2024 Mandatory conscription was abolished as of December 2024, and service is now voluntary under the new transitional authorities. Previously, Syria had a long and often brutal history of compulsory conscription rules and service was often extended beyond the standard 12-21 months. During the country's civil war, many were forced to serve well beyond official terms, with some exceeding a decade. Jordan: Abolished in 1991 with plans to reinstate in 2026 Jordan had a long history of military conscription, with compulsory service from 1966 to 1991, during which time men aged 18-40 had to serve a minimum of two years. In light of recent events in the region, Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II announced on Sunday that the programme would strengthen national identity and young people's connection to their homeland. Lebanon: Abolished 2007 Conscription was abolished in 2007 after the end of the country's civil wars. Before that, men aged 18 and over served 12 months (reduced to six months in 2005 before abolition). The Lebanese army is now volunteer-only. Libya: Rules unclear Although military conscription in the country has a long history dating back to the 1950s, and was firmly in place during Muammar Qaddafi's 42-year rule, since Qaddafi's fall, Libya has had no unified or consistently enforced conscription system. Different authorities (the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, the eastern Libyan National Army, militias) have announced plans for national service at different times, but implementation has been weak or purely local. Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen These countries never implemented compulsory conscription; military services for Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen are voluntary. In the case of Saudi Arabia this is due to the large number of volunteer recruits, with the government reporting volunteer numbers that far exceed the capacity of its military training facilities.
Emirates 24/7
2 hours ago
- Emirates 24/7
UAE showcases 'Lifeline' water project in Khan Younis to journalists
The UAE's 'Operation Chivalrous Knight 3' organised a site visit for media personnel and stakeholders after the 'Lifeline' water supply project reached the southern areas of Al Mawasi in Khan Younis, one of the most crowded areas in Gaza sheltering displaced families. The tour aimed to monitor the project's implementation and assess how affected families, especially children and the elderly, are benefiting from the new water supply. The new 7.5-kilometre pipeline runs from Emirati desalination plants in Egypt's Rafah to the Al Mawasi area in southern Gaza. It is expected to benefit 600,000 Palestinians, providing each person with 15 litres of fresh water daily. This will help ease the severe water shortage that has affected residents for months. The "Lifeline" project aims to alleviate the suffering of a population grappling with frequent water outages and high temperatures. By providing clean, safe drinking water, the initiative helps safeguard public health and reduces the daily burden on displaced families, who have been without access to a functioning water network for months. The project is an extension of previous UAE efforts to address Gaza's water crisis, which include building desalination plants, providing water tankers, digging wells, and maintaining water networks. The UAE has also implemented other urgent infrastructure projects to ensure sustained humanitarian support and meet the population's basic needs. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
