Seven months later, 25 women and children boarded an Etihad flight from Paris, embarking on a journey that, for many, marked their first trip abroad. Invited to organise this voyage, I too, joined them on February 15th, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of this experience.
Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, the simplest gestures carried profound significance. When Emirati men offered to help with their luggage, the women’s surprised expressions spoke volumes. It may have been years since they had received such kindness from a man. Their burdens, both physical and emotional, are unfathomably heavy. These women have been burned and beaten. They have been stabbed, surviving attempted murder. They have been raped. Their children have suffered the same atrocities.
And yet, for a few precious days, happiness prevailed. Their camaraderie, their laughter, their gentle resilience shone through. In the world’s safest city, at the invitation of Ambassador Al Otaiba, the women and children of Léa Solidarité Femmes experienced rare moments of peace.
Between visits to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a desert safari, the Abrahamic Family House, and SeaWorld, they engaged in intimate conversations with Vogue Arabia’s Head of Editorial Content Manuel Arnaut, and Ambassador Al Otaiba. Together, new seeds of hope were sown. Where fate had once delivered cruelty, love flourished. And with the unwavering support of a growing community—one that Ambassador Al Otaiba is committed to nurturing—women are reclaiming their strength and vulnerability, and children are rediscovering the innocence of their youth.
