{"id":29550,"date":"2020-05-27T10:22:14","date_gmt":"2020-05-27T08:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arab.org\/?p=29550"},"modified":"2021-08-26T08:59:59","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T06:59:59","slug":"empowering-arab-women-through-an-innovative-form-of-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arab.org\/blog\/empowering-women-through-innovative-form-of-therapy","title":{"rendered":"Empowering Arab Women Through an Innovative Form of Therapy","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cBreathe. Hear your breath. Close your eyes. Imagine and feel your power from within. It\u2019s OK to feel anxious, stressed, and left out. It is OK to step back a little. Visualize yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, \u2018Is this the real me? Is this how I want people to see me? Is my reflection worth fighting for?\u2019 You\u2019ll discover the strong side of yourself.\u201d Helping women discover their inner strength is more than just a passion for HH Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah. With these words of advice on how to regain control when feeling anxious, as well as her Intisar Foundation<\/a>, she is changing the lives of women in the region in pioneering ways.<\/p>\n

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HH Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah is helping heal a generation of traumatized women using a novel form of therapy to tap into their inner power.
\nHH Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah<\/i><\/p>\n

The Kuwaiti royal might be known for her fine jewelry line \u2013 which she launched as an act of love for her four daughters \u2013 but it is her philanthropic work with women traumatized by war and violence that\u2019s changed her life, and the lives of countless others. With a business card that reads \u201ccontagious smiler,\u201d it is perhaps not surprising that HH Sheikha Intisar is a whirlwind of inspiration, but the choice of immersing herself into the dark and desperate world of post-traumatic stress could seem jarring. Yet it is a world she feels needs her particular brand of optimism now more than ever.<\/p>\n

HH Sheikha Intisar has an impressive track record when it comes to making a difference. In 2011 she launched Lulua Publishing, aiming to provide women in the Gulf with information about mental and physical wellbeing \u2013 long before the global wellness market exploded. Then there\u2019s her skincare line, Prismologie, which harnesses color psychology to enhance mood as well as benefiting the skin. \u201cI\u2019ve always believed in the power of self-change and self-empowerment,\u201d she shares from her home in Kuwait. \u201cWe are not in this world alone; we are surrounded by inspiring souls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Far from mere platitudes about self-improvement, HH Sheikha Intisar has taken these beliefs and created a groundbreaking platform to help heal the trauma caused to women by war, fleeing their homes, and being subject to violence. The Intisar Foundation<\/a>, which she launched two years ago, uses drama therapy, a relatively unknown and underutilized tool in the region, to help women work through their pain. They work in Lebanon and Jordan, with plans to broaden their scope to Iraq, Syria, and Yemen \u2013 \u201cwhere such work is needed immensely\u201d \u2013 when possible. The women hail from Syria and Palestine, as well as Jordan and Lebanon. \u201cWe aim to help any woman in need of psychological support after carrying the struggle of trauma,\u201d HH Sheikha Intisar shares. \u201cIn Jordan, we work with victims of domestic violence and in Lebanon, we have women who still carry the scars from the different wars the country went through. Can you imagine, up to 59% of women in the Arab world are subject to domestic violence? Our drama therapy helps them voice their power.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drama therapy encompasses the use of theater techniques and activities, such as role-play and improvisations to assist with healing mental trauma. By using these techniques in a safe, private group setting, facilitated by a trained drama therapist, women can tell their stories, express their feelings, and hopefully reach a point of catharsis. \u201cWe are pioneers in using drama therapy especially for women and in the Arab region,\u201d HH Sheikha Intisar explains. \u201cIt is an effective yet gentle approach to heal trauma. We tailor our work in group therapy sessions because women get to feel strong when others share their stories openly and together.\u201d All the cases touch her profoundly, she says, as she considers all the women to be heroes \u2013 from the crying 19-year-old longing to escape a refugee camp and pursue her education, to the women who have stopped beating their children; victims themselves no more, they\u2019ve stopped victimizing their families as well. \u201cThis leaves me in awe, wanting to help and heal,\u201d HH Sheikha Intisar shares.<\/p>\n

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\nIntisar Foundation<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n

Written by Christine van Deemter
\nImage: Intisar Foundation
\nPublication date: May 2020<\/p>\n

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<\/i> Help for free the empowerment of women<\/span><\/a>
\n<\/i> Learn about nonprofits supporting Arab Women<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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