Dubai, UAE: In a pioneering move to support women experiencing abuse, the Dubai Foundation for Women & Children (DFWAC) has launched an innovative AI-powered self-help platform named Malath, which in Arabic means “shelter”. Unveiled at GITEX Global 2025, the initiative is the first of its kind in the region and aims to give women secure, private access to psychosocial support — anytime, anywhere.
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A Tool for Discovery, Help and Healing
Malath is designed to be a discreet, intelligent companion for women who may be living with abuse—physical, emotional or digital—but are unsure where to begin. Through a simple assessment, the platform evaluates indicators such as anxiety, trauma or depression. In response, it generates a personalised self-help plan, recommending up to five tailored programmes made up of 22 interactive sessions covering topics like empowerment, flexible thinking, future planning and belief reflection.
Each session includes a short assessment to track progress. Importantly, Malath emphasises anonymity: the system records only minimal user data, processes it in anonymised form and does not store or share personal identity information. DFWAC functions only on aggregate data to enhance services, not to monitor individuals.
Privacy First: Why It Matters
Abuse victims often face barriers: fear of stigma, concerns about confidentiality, difficulties in finding trusted help or simply the challenge of stepping into a shelter. Malath addresses these by offering a digital safe-space. Users can engage with the platform from a mobile device or computer, at a time and place of their choosing. The decision to hide the user’s identity from the foundation breaks a key barrier: reassurance of confidentiality.
Acting Director-General of DFWAC, Shaikha Saeed Al Mansoori, described the platform as “a secure and user-friendly space for women to reflect, assess and begin their journey towards emotional recovery.” The digital assessment and AI-led guidance reflect a broader shift in how social services are offered — blending human empathy with smart technology.
How Malath Works — Step by Step
- A woman logs into the Malath website or app and completes a short assessment questionnaire.
- The AI system evaluates signs of distress, emotional trauma or abuse risk levels.
- A personalised report is generated, mapping the user’s current state and identifying the best programme path.
- The user can select from up to five recommended programmes (22 sessions total) and begin work.
- At each session’s end, an assessment measures understanding and progress, allowing modification of the plan if needed.
- For high-risk cases (identified via the assessment), the system flags a referral to relevant authorities — ensuring safety for those who need urgent intervention.
Strategic Alignment with Dubai’s Vision
The launch of Malath aligns with Dubai’s broader goals under the Dubai Social Agenda 33 — positioning the emirate as a leader in quality of life, mental-well-being and inclusive services. By integrating AI into social care, the platform demonstrates how digital innovation can enhance access, speed and responsiveness. The approach also reflects the global imperative to modernise support systems for victims of abuse, especially in an era where digital volume and remote access are critical.
Why It Is a Game-Changer
- First-of-its-kind in the region: Malath is the first regional platform specifically developed as an AI self-help guide for women experiencing abuse.
- 24/7 access: Being digital, it breaks the constraints of time, place and physical shelter availability.
- Empowerment-centred: Rather than simply directing victims to services, it gives them tools to start recovery and growth from within.
- Anonymity and confidentiality: The minimal-data model significantly lowers the psychological barrier to seeking help.
- Scalable & adaptable: While currently Arabic-language and UAE-based, the system is designed for future expansion (multiple languages, regional reach).
What Users and Stakeholders Should Know
- Women in Dubai or the UAE can access Malath via the portal link provided by DFWAC and begin the initial assessment in minutes.
- It is not a substitute for emergency intervention — high-risk cases will still need to be referred to the appropriate authorities by the platform.
- Employers, NGOs and community groups are encouraged to promote Malath as part of a broader ecosystem of help-resources for women.
- Continuous user feedback will shape future versions; DFWAC has signalled that collaborations are being explored to widen language support and regional coverage.
Challenges & Considerations
- As with all digital tools, digital-access inequality may limit reach for some women without smartphones, steady internet or tech literacy — outreach and education will be key.
- Cultural sensitivities and stigma around abuse still exist; while digital anonymity helps, broader community-awareness campaigns remain essential.
- Measuring impact will take time — tracking recovery and long-term outcomes for users will determine how effective the platform is in real-world settings.
- Integration with existing shelter- and-intervention services must be seamless to avoid fragmentation of care and support.
The Road Ahead
DFWAC is monitoring early user engagement closely, collecting feedback to refine Malath’s content, navigation and language options. Partnerships with government agencies, tech-providers and media outlets are in discussion to expand reach across the UAE and beyond.
As the platform matures, key metrics to watch include user uptake rates, completion of self-help programmes, number of high-risk referrals successfully managed and user satisfaction scores. The hope is that Malath becomes a model not just for the UAE, but for the region — a blueprint for how technology and social care converge.
Final Word
Malath represents a significant step forward in supporting women facing abuse in the UAE and the broader region. By combining AI, confidentiality and self-empowerment, the Dubai Foundation for Women & Children is leveraging innovation to meet deeply human needs. For women who might otherwise feel trapped, isolated or unable to reach out — this is a new door, quietly opened online, offering privacy, support and a path to healing.
With Malath, the future of social care is not just human-centred — it’s digitally enabled, empathetically designed and powerfully accessible.
