There is nothing more fulfilling than lifting someone from the cycle of abuse into a life of safety and dignity. In a powerful act of compassion, Her Excellency Hend Al Otaiba, former UAE Ambassador to France, has partnered with Her Highness Sayyida Basma Al Said, esteemed mental health advocate and clinical therapist, to offer vital mental health support to survivors.
This meaningful partnership was announced by Her Excellency Hend Al Otaiba through her official social media channels, in collaboration with Solidarité Femmes LSF — an association she has actively supported since 2021, devoted to providing refuge, guidance and empowerment to women and children who have endured abuse.
The initiative, in collaboration with Her Highness Sayyida Basma Al Said, founder of the Not Alone campaign and Oman’s first mental health clinic, Whispers of Serenity, aims to provide specialised mental health support to survivors. Together, they are turning empathy into action and hope into healing.
Her Excellency emphasised that placing mental well-being at the forefront is vital to breaking the cycle of violence and restoring dignity to those impacted.
I’m honored to partner with HH Sayyida Basma Al Said, Oman’s pioneer in mental health & wellness. Her Whispers of Serenity Clinic will now support our survivors of domestic abuse with trauma-informed therapy.
— هند مانع العتيبة Hend Al Otaiba (@hend_mana) May 1, 2025
This alliance reflects a broader vision of women leaders joining forces… pic.twitter.com/OpmJtTrGAB
In an article for the Khaleej Times, Her Excellency Hend Al Otaiba reflected on the collaboration, stating: “When Sayyida Basma and I first began brainstorming how we could most effectively join forces, I couldn’t help but feel invigorated by the conviviality that underscored an infectious passion aligned with my own.”
“In our region, the stigma surrounding mental health prevents people from seeking the care they need. This work with Ambassador Al Otaiba and LSF is, first and foremost, about opening a conversation, and one that can save lives. Because we cannot see how domestic violence survivors are impacted mentally in the same way that we can see bruises on the body, this part of the healing process is at risk of being overlooked,” Sayyida Basma said, adding that Whispers of Serenity Clinic will offer LSF further space, resources and professional support required for survivors to reclaim their futures.
Since the beginning of Her Excellency Ambassador Hend Al Otaiba’s historic appointment as the first woman to serve as the UAE Ambassador to France, she has chosen to support Solidarité Femmes, an association founded by Patricia Rouff in 2009, devoted to assisting women and children affected by domestic violence.
Her Excellency continued her support even after returning to Abu Dhabi, where she recently welcomed 25 women and children from Solidarité Femmes, offering them a meaningful pause for healing in a land known for its safety, hospitality, and beautiful landscapes.
