DAMMAM: The women's branch of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in the Eastern Province has contributed to spreading and promoting a rights culture in the region by holding a number of lectures, symposiums, training courses and workshops. The events were held to introduce the concept of human rights and highlight the rights of women, children, students and workers. The branch reported recently that it held 33 programs last year, including 22 lectures and 11 workshops, attended by about 1,367 persons. The branch's workshops on women's rights were introduced to different segments of society, including journalists, to educate them about the role of the media in countering violence against women. Another workshop was held for healthcare personnel and girls' schools officials, including physicians, psychiatrists, social workers and school guides. This focused on meeting, listening to and dealing with abused women. The branch also held a workshop for forensic doctors, policemen and investigative personnel, and another for Islamic Call personnel and members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which focused on the principles of women's rights under Islamic Sharia and the importance of compliance. The branch held lectures on children's rights for doctors, nurses and social workers of several hospitals and healthcare centers. Lectures were also organized for teachers and mothers and guardians of several private school pupils on children's rights and the impact of the Internet on children.
