Latest news with #Damj
Zawya
3 days ago
- General
- Zawya
The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi organizes informational workshops on the 'Damj' award with participation from organizations across all sectors in the emirate
Dr. Layla Al Hyas: We invite all entities to submit initiatives that create tangible impact in the lives of People of Determination. Submissions for the award open on July 1st and will run through the end of August 2025. Abu Dhabi – The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi organized a series of interactive orientation workshops introducing the Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion – Damj. The sessions welcomed representatives from government, private, and third sector organizations across the emirate. These workshops aim to empower participating organizations to develop inclusive strategies and initiatives in line with global best practices. This aligns with Abu Dhabi's vision of building an inclusive society that provides equal opportunities for all. The sessions also introduced participants to the award's pillars, categories, and objectives, along with its assessment tool, participation criteria, and nomination process – all designed to foster a shared understanding and strengthen institutional inclusion efforts across workplaces, community services and accessibility. The workshops featured engaging sessions that outlined the award's role in recognizing and motivating entities to adopt inclusive services and equitable employment practices. The ultimate goal is to ensure the sustainability of inclusive practices that empower People of Determination in every aspect of life. The award is expected to engage over 600 entities across various sectors to provide inclusive, accessible environments – both physical and digital. It also seeks to enhance economic participation for People of Determination through more than 80 entities, offering over 500 inclusive services across six key sectors, representing a true commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and equality. One of the workshops highlights included inspiring personal testimonies from members of the People of Determination community. They shared their life experiences and the ongoing challenges they face in areas such as infrastructure, transport, accessibility, and education. They also emphasized the significant impact of multi-sector efforts from government, private, and third-sector partners in improving the quality of life for People of Determination and their families. The workshops also included a comprehensive presentation of the award's structure, which is built around 3 main pillars and 10 categories. The first is the Inclusive Services pillar, which features 6 categories covering the industries of health, education, tourism and entertainment, transportation and mobility, and third sector services. The second is the Inclusive Employment pillar, which includes two categories recognizing the best inclusive work environment for employing People of Determination. The third pillar focuses on Accessibility, with two categories honoring entities that excel in providing both physical and digital accessibility. The sessions further highlighted the specific criteria and requirements for each pillar and service, in addition to outlining the stages of assessment and the nomination submission process, supported by vivid examples for each service. The sessions also provided insights into evaluation criteria, nomination requirements, and examples illustrating the kinds of initiatives eligible for each category. Additionally, third-sector organizations presented models of their inclusive services, demonstrating their pivotal role in supporting People of Determination across different aspects of life. These presentations served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among attendees. Her Excellency Dr. Layla Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Community Development Sector at the Department of Community Development, affirmed that the Damj Award is a vital enabler for sustaining inclusive environments and practices. She described the award as a strategic driver that encourages entities to adopt forward-thinking policies promoting equal opportunity and empowering People of Determination as active partners in development. Dr. Al Hyas urged all public, private, and third-sector entities to leverage this opportunity to submit impactful, innovative initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of People of Determination. She emphasized that excellence in inclusion is not only about meeting standards but about creating sustainable, innovative, and measurable change. She added: "We are confident in Abu Dhabi's entities and their ability to lead inclusive transformation. Every initiative submitted today marks a step toward a more inclusive society." To conclude the workshop, the award team hosted a Q&A session, responding to participants' inquiries about the nomination process and requirements. The team also expressed its availability to hold one-on-one sessions with interested entities and encouraged communication via email at: damj@ It is worth noting that submissions for the Damj Award will open on July 1, 2025, and continue through August 31, 2025, followed by an assessment phase in September and October, with the winners to be honoured at an extraordinary ceremony in early 2026.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi organises informational workshops on Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion (Damj)
29 May 2025 21:31 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi organised a series of interactive orientation workshops introducing the Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion – Damj. The sessions welcomed representatives from government, private, and third sector organisations across the workshops aim to empower participating organisations to develop inclusive strategies and initiatives in line with global best practices. This aligns with Abu Dhabi's vision of building an inclusive society that provides equal opportunities for all. The sessions also introduced participants to the award's pillars, categories, and objectives, along with its assessment tool, participation criteria, and nomination process, that are all designed to foster a shared understanding and strengthen institutional inclusion efforts across workplaces, community services, and workshops featured engaging sessions that outlined the award's role in recognising and motivating entities to adopt inclusive services and equitable employment practices. The ultimate goal is to ensure the sustainability of inclusive practices that empower People of Determination in every aspect of award is expected to engage over 250 entities across various sectors to provide inclusive, accessible environments – both physical and also seeks to enhance economic participation for People of Determination through more than 80 entities, offering over 500 inclusive services across six key sectors, representing a true commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and of the workshop highlights included inspiring personal testimonies from members of the People of Determination community. They shared their life experiences and the ongoing challenges they face in areas such as infrastructure, transport, accessibility, and education. They also emphasised the significant impact of multi-sector efforts from government, private, and third-sector partners in improving the quality of life for People of Determination and their workshops also included a comprehensive presentation of the award's structure, which is built around three main pillars and 10 categories. The first is the Inclusive Services pillar, which features six categories covering the industries of health, education, tourism and entertainment, transportation and mobility, and third sector services. The second is the Inclusive Employment pillar, which includes two categories recognising the best inclusive work environment for employing People of Determination. The third pillar focuses on Accessibility, with two categories honouring entities that excel in providing both physical and digital sessions further highlighted the specific criteria and requirements for each pillar and service, in addition to outlining the stages of assessment and the nomination submission process, supported by vivid examples for each sessions also provided insights into evaluation criteria, nomination requirements, and examples illustrating the kinds of initiatives eligible for each third-sector organisations presented models of their inclusive services, demonstrating their pivotal role in supporting People of Determination across different aspects of presentations served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among Director of the Community Development Sector at the Department of Community Development, Her Excellency Dr Layla Al Hyas, affirmed that the Damj Award is a vital enabler for sustaining inclusive environments and described the award as a strategic driver that encourages entities to adopt forward-thinking policies promoting equal opportunity and empowering People of Determination as active partners in Al Hyas urged all public, private, and third-sector entities to leverage this opportunity to submit impactful, innovative initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of People of Determination. She emphasised that excellence in inclusion is not only about meeting standards but about creating sustainable, innovative, and measurable change. She said, "We are confident in Abu Dhabi's entities and their ability to lead inclusive transformation. Every initiative submitted today marks a step toward a more inclusive society."To conclude the workshop, the award team hosted a Q&A session, responding to participants' inquiries about the nomination process and requirements. It is worth noting that Submissions for the Damj Award will open on July 1, 2025, and continue through August 31, 2025, followed by an assessment phase in September and October, with the winners to be honoured at an extraordinary ceremony in early 2026.
Al Etihad
20-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi reveals details of Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion (Damj)
20 Apr 2025 13:21 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Community Development (DCD) has announced the details of the Abu Dhabi Excellence Award for People of Determination Inclusion of Damj, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive award aims to reinforce Abu Dhabi's position as a global leader in inclusive development by adopting both local and international disability inclusion standards and encouraging the implementation of innovative programmes that ensure equal opportunities and enhance social wellbeing for all segments of announcement was attended by His Excellency Hamad Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development, and Her Excellency Dr Layla Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Social Development Sector, along with the team leading on the implementation of the award Damj, media representatives, and content event included a detailed presentation on the award, that features ten categories grouped under three main pillars. One of the most prominent is the Inclusive Services Pillar, which seeks to incentivise the achievements of entities from the public, private, and third sectors that deliver inclusive and innovative services for people of determination across various fields. This pillar recognises excellence in areas such as health, education, tourism and recreation, mobility and transportation, and third-sector services, based on international disability inclusion requires that entities be based in Abu Dhabi, have operated for at least two years, hold a valid commercial license for private sector applicants, and provide services within the emirate. For health services, the award excludes specialised medical rehabilitation. For inclusive education, schools must have a minimum rating of Good, in designated inclusion award also features the Inclusive Employment Pillar, which aims to honour and recognise the efforts of entities that create an inclusive employment ecosystem that is enabling an inclusive work environment for employees of determination, allowing them to perform their roles in alignment with their capabilities. This pillar includes two categories honouring the most inclusive work environments in the public and private sectors. To be eligible, entities must be based in Abu Dhabi, have been established for at least two years, possess a valid commercial license in the case of private sector applicants, and, for public entities, employ People of Determination representing at least two percent of their total Accessibility Pillar seeks to recognise achievements by government and private entities that offer accessible physical environments, such as buildings and facilities, as well as access to information and digital platforms including websites and mobile applications, in alignment with universal accessibility pillar includes recognition for the most accessible entity in both the public and private sectors, across physical and digital environments. Eligibility requires that entities be based in Abu Dhabi, have been operational for at least two years, hold a valid commercial license for private sector organisations, and present an active occupancy certificate issued within the past five years by the Department of Municipalities and Excellency Dr. Layla Al Hyas, Executive Director of the Social Development Sector at the Department, affirmed that the Damj Award is an approved initiative under the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of comes at a key moment following the completion of the first cycle of the strategy to crown the efforts of outstanding entities and ensure the sustainability and continuity of inclusion efforts beyond the strategy's timeline. Her Excellency stated that the award serves as more than a recognition tool; it is an incentivising platform that enhances innovation in the provision of disability inclusive and sustainable services and the development of inclusive work ecosystem, empowering People of Determination to engage actively in social and economic is expected that the award will increase the participation of People of Determination in the labour market and economy through more than 80 entities in Abu Dhabi, while also preparing over 600 entities across sectors to become more inclusive and accessible. The award will also support the purchasing power and independence of People of Determination and their families, reinforcing their active participation in the award ceremony will be held in the first quarter of 2026 to honour the winning entities from various sectors in Abu department also announced that it will be organising a series of training workshops for entities interested in applying for the Damj Award. These workshops, scheduled for April 23-24, 2025 will be conducted over the course of a single day and are designed to support representatives from all sectors by offering an in-depth explanation of the award's categories, pillars, eligibility requirements, evaluation process, and by answering participant award team will offer weekly awareness sessions in both Arabic and English, available to all entities interested in learning more about the award's structure, categories, and criteria. These sessions will continue throughout the first award cycle, from February until the end of may also request one-on-one sessions with the award team to receive tailored guidance and support throughout the application process. The Damj Award reflects the Department of Community Development's unwavering commitment to building a cohesive and inclusive society where individual differences are respected and valued as a source of strength and growth.
Middle East Eye
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Tunisian authorities arrest dozens amid crackdown on LGBTQ+ community
Tunisian authorities have arrested dozens of people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity in the last few months, Amnesty International said on Thursday. Between 26 September 2024 and 31 January 2025, the authorities ramped up their crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community, with 84 people - mostly gay men and trans women - arrested in the cities of Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse and El Kef, according to the Tunisian NGO Damj Association for Justice and Equality. Many of them are now facing arbitrary detention and unfair prosecution. Damj emphasised that the numbers are 'not exhaustive,' as they are based on direct assistance the organisation provides to LGBTQ+ community members, and are likely to be several times higher. 'We estimate the real number to be at least three times higher, because when we used to have access to official numbers of prosecutions a few years ago, we found that on average our documentation only covers at most a third of the people affected,' queer activist and head of programmes at Damj Saif Ayadi told Amnesty. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Arrestees were detained and prosecuted under Article 230, which criminalises same-sex relations and carries a sentence of up to three years imprisonment, as well as articles in the penal code that criminalise 'public indecency' or acts deemed to be offensive to 'public morals'. Deputy regional director for MENA at Amnesty International, Diana Eltahawy, said that the vaguely worded laws 'allow law enforcement to carry out sweeping arrests of individuals simply for failing to adhere to gender norms or having a non-conforming gender appearance or expression'. Furthermore, Amnesty noted that gay men and transgender people in Tunisia are often targeted on the basis of gender stereotypes, behaviour or physical appearance, with prosecutions based on footage and photos unlawfully seized from the detainees' devices during arrest. It added that men accused of engaging in same-sex relations are forced to undergo anal examinations to obtain 'proof', a practice that Amnesty said is tantamount to torture. 'Preserving morality' The wave of arrests followed a homophobic and transphobic online campaign which was unleashed on 13 September. Hate speech targeting LGBTQ+ people spread across hundreds of social media pages, with popular TV and radio hosts calling for the banning of LGBTQ+ organisations and arrests of activists. Tunisia: 'Moral values', the new pretext to repress freedoms Read More » The arrests form part of a broader crackdown targeting activists, journalists and public figures in the name of preserving morality and social values. Last autumn, at least 10 influencers and content creators, including some residing abroad, were convicted and sentenced to prison terms of up to four-and-a-half years following a statement from the Ministry of Justice announcing prosecutions against anyone 'producing, distributing or publishing images or videos with content that undermines moral values'. The defendents included Instagrammer Lady Samara, known for her outspokenness, frequent outbursts and angry insults at advertising companies, who was arrested for swearing. Choumoukh, a 24-year-old Tiktok star with 200,000 followers, was jailed because of her openness in discussing sexuality during live shows. Khoubaib, a queer content creator who is non-gender conforming was prosecuted for defying gender norms and wearing make-up. Upon their appeal on 5 February, four were released following sentence reductions, but Khoubaib, whose jail term was reduced from four years and six months to two years, remains incarcerated. The feminist group Ena Zeda say this is evidence of the crackdown targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
