Suad Yaseen writes: Processing the file of the debtors …A real tribute to women from the economic side
The file of female debtors is one of the societal files that require more research because it is one of the files that are expected to increase in danger with the complexity of daily life, and many women find themselves in prison after being unable to pay their bills. Accordingly, I will address this file from the economic, legal, humanitarian, family and international aspects because of its great importance and impact on the entire family.
Therefore, many countries have sought to find appropriate solutions and initiatives that enable female debtors economically and socially in terms of drying up the sources of fines, reducing the entry of new female debtors to prisons, reducing the number of cases of female debtors in the courts, in addition to a comprehensive awareness vision that achieves sustainable development and financial inclusion.
In view of the exceptional and unprecedented circumstances experienced by the whole world, one of the most important causes of which was the outbreak of the Corona virus, which led to worsening the situation and caused a major economic crisis, which resulted in most countries of the world outside the Middle East canceling the debtor’s imprisonment penalty, not only because it is very cruel and violates international human rights law, but also because it does not lead to payment.
In this context, and in order to alleviate the burdens of these women, who are burdened with economic and family burdens, they will face many problems and pressures in their lives once they are released from prison. These psychological problems include sadness, anxiety and fear of the future, social difficulties such as family disintegration and a sense of isolation from society, and various economic issues, especially if the mother is the main breadwinner of the family’s income.
In this context, the Kingdom of Bahrain has proven its leadership, primacy and constant keenness to enhance economic and social stability thanks to the high royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to strengthen the social safety system and provide decent livelihoods for citizens, as the axis and goal of comprehensive development and in line with the government’s action program to achieve sustainable socio-economic security and the Economic Vision 2030 towards building a just, prosperous and united society for the safety of Bahrain. Assisting those affected and paying the debts of the debtors, in addition to the development and voluntary contributions of national companies and civil society. On the basis of sustainability, competitiveness and justice.
The support of BBK, the leading retail and institutional banking bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with BD 200,000 as a donation to the “Debtors’ Share” project to pay the debts of 50 insolvent , in cooperation with the Zakat and Charity Fund at the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and the Women’s Support Center at the Supreme Council for Women, reflects the Bank’s continuous desire to support all governmental and non-governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing social cohesion and securing stability and development in Bahraini society. While praising the strong role played by the Zakat and Charity Fund through its valuable assistance to various needy groups.
The Women’s Support Centre of the Supreme Council for Women also follows up on the needs of Bahraini women and ensures that they are met as effectively as possible, and appreciates these moves by the directives of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council, may God protect and protect women, in coordinating the payment of debts and amounts of money owed by Bahraini women against whom judicial rulings have been issued within the lists published by the Ministry of Interior regarding the application of “Fael Khair”. The great humanitarian role of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabika in all situations is reflected in these instructions her real keenness on the need to direct support and assistance to those affected.
On the other hand, and following the same approach and within the borders of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the idea of imprisoning women is hated by conservative Jordanians, which led to a state of sympathy for “women in debt”, and under the leadership of King Abdullah II of Jordan, may God protect him, who called on citizens to take collective action, join efforts and popular participation to help women who are mired in debt or who are in a difficult financial situation. In response to this call, microfinance institutions have spread in Jordan. over the past 14 years in response to calls for women’s empowerment and increased financial independence. This amazing social transformation has benefited disadvantaged people in remote and rural areas in particular.
Jordanian Prime Minister Omar Razzaz announced the allocation of $ 750,000 from the budget to the Jordanian Zakat Fund to solve the problem of female debtors, while tightening the conditions on borrowers and corporate creditor funds.
The Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Justice and the Public Security Directorate signed a cooperation agreement on the payment of debts of women debtors within the initiative of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority to repay loans and debts for Jordanian female debtors, whose total amount exceeded 2 million dirhams by 400 thousand Jordanian dinars.
For its part, the Egyptian state issued Law No. 152 of 2020 on the development of medium, small and micro enterprises with incentives, exemptions and tax privileges that greatly benefited women. Based on this law, according to the Financial Regulatory Authority, women accounted for the largest share of microfinance in 2020, about 1.97 million beneficiaries, or 63.74%, with financing balances of 8.19 billion pounds, these figures contributed – to a large extent – to enhancing women’s economic growth and reducing poverty, which exposes a large group of them to debt and then go to prison.
The decision to pardon the debtors and the debtors is a social decision that carries with it a humanitarian vision, especially since these debtors and debtors were not the penalties imposed on them from the penalties that the debtor or the debtor is afraid of, but rather they are the result of the difficulties of life, which requires everyone to be socially responsible to protect these defaulters and protect their families all.
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