DUBAI: Welcoming UAE’s decision to grant widows and divorcees the right to extend their residency visas by a year, legal experts said on Tuesday that it was a step in the right direction as it empowers women, dealing with unfortunate circumstances, to plan their lives in a more informed manner.
On October 23, the UAE introduced a new law whereby widows and divorced women can apply for a one-year extension for their residency permits, from the date of the divorce or following the death of a spouse. “The decision grants widows and divorced women and their children a one-year residence without the need for a sponsor. It aims to give women the opportunity to adjust their social and economic status,” the official statement detailing the decree had said at the same.
The resolution will be implemented in the fourth quarter of this year.
According to the statement, the decision takes into consideration the humanitarian conditions of the widows and divorcees, while facilitating their stay in the country. “It also aims to maintain family stability and social cohesion, and affirms the UAE’s position as a welcoming country to all nationalities in line with its history and values of extending a helping hand,” it said.
Luke Tapp, Partner- Pinsent Masons LLP, said that the provision will ensure that affected individuals have ample time to take future steps in a more informed manner, specifically in terms of their soci0-economic status. “It certainly provides all expat families residing within the UAE with a greater degree of comfort and security in respect of their short to medium term futures, which of course makes the UAE a more attractive place to live,” he said.
Two years ago, things were different for K.A. (name held on request). She had to leave the UAE with several pending issues after the sudden death of her husband.
“I had no idea how to deal with so many things at one time. I lost my husband who was my sponsor and my children sponsor. All the bank accounts, tenancy agreement, school admission, everything was on his name. He didn’t prepare any will either. There was no one to guide us and help us and eventually I had to leave my home and came back to Pakistan,” she says.
K.A. is one among several case studies handled by advocate Yamini Rajesh, who said that things were difficult for an expatriate woman following the sudden death of her spouse, especially if he was the sole sponsor of the family. “Currently, women sponsored by their husbands have to leave the country in the event of a divorce. In cases of a husband’s death, women can stay till the remainder of their residency visa validity,” Rajesh said.
“Most expat women, regardless of whether they are working or not, are not aware of the laws and regulations in the UAE especially related to finance and property. So when a husband dies they panic and become helpless and often take wrong decisions,” she added.
Rajesh said that the absence often adds to the legal woes faced by most. “It’s a very difficult situation to find oneself in,” she said, adding that the new law would also give women suffering from domestic abuse a gateway to seek legal recourse.
“This new law makes ladies who tolerate abuse from husbands, stronger to face divorce and can live in this country as equal and earn their living. Gender equality is very much stable and strong in the UAE,” she said.
Experts hail the UAE for upholding women’s rights
Experts hail the UAE for upholding women’s rights
- Follows government’s decision to grant widows and divorcees a one-year visa extension
- Move would allow them to reside in the country without a sponsor
Pakistan defense minister discusses regional, global developments with counterparts in Munich
- The high-powered meeting of government leaders, diplomats comes shortly before Russia’s war on Ukraine enters its fifth gruelling year
- Bruised by President Donald Trump’s comments, European leaders at summit have pledged to shoulder more of the burden of shared defenses
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday met his Italian and Albanian counterparts to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional and global developments on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the Pakistani embassy in Germany said.
The high-powered Munich meeting of government leaders, diplomats, defense and intelligence chiefs comes shortly before Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine is set to enter its fifth gruelling year.
Bruised by President Donald Trump’s designs on Greenland and his often hostile comments about America’s traditional bedrock allies, European leaders at the conference have pledged to shoulder more of the burden of shared defenses.
Asif met his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto during the conference, running from Feb. 13 till Feb. 15, with both sides agreeing to enhance bilateral ties, according to the Pakistani embassy.
“Asif met the Defense Minister of Republic of Albania, Mr. Pirro Vengu, on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference,” the Pakistani embassy said on X.
“Discussed matters related to enhancing bilateral cooperation in the wake of recent regional and international developments.”
The development came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was set to address European leaders on Saturday as they try to step up their autonomy in defense while salvaging transatlantic ties badly strained under President Trump.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged a “rift” had opened up between Europe and the United States, fueled by culture wars, but issued an appeal to Washington: “Let’s repair and revive transatlantic trust together.”
“In the era of great power rivalry, even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone,” said the conservative leader, who has ramped up defense spending in the top EU economy.
Macron said a new framework was needed to deal with “an aggressive Russia” once the fighting in Ukraine ends.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been in Munich since Friday and meeting multiple allies, was expected to address the meeting on Saturday. No Russian officials have been invited.
Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky said he feared “a new cold war” between Europe and Russia in the coming decade, making reopening dialogue with Moscow essential.
“If it makes sense to talk, we are willing to talk,” said Merz, but he also charged that “Russia is not yet willing to talk seriously.”
