Dubai. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Dubai. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A Filipino mother who was abused and abandoned by her Pakistani husband in Dubai is seeking to file for a divorce and to benefit from the country’s amnesty program.

Jamila, 26, said that while she was pregnant, her husband beat her repeatedly after she found out he was having an affair, Khaleej Times reported.

“I was really afraid of my husband. He even told me he knew where to hurt me that will show no bruises,” Jamila said.

Jamila and her husband got married last year and their son was born in March. However, after giving birth, the abuse only got worse. Her husband also used her pregnancy to solicit money, which he sent to his family in Pakistan. Jamila’s problems did not end there.

“My husband withheld all our legal documents and I could not apply for a passport for my baby,” she said.

After giving birth, Jamila had 120 days to register her baby, however, the grace period is now over, and she incurs a fine of 100 dirhams (US$27) for every day since it lapsed. She has also run up credit card debt in order to take care of her baby’s needs.

“Banks are going after me. I think my total debt from various banks is around 100,000 dirhams (US$27,229),” she said.

Jamila is now filing for a divorce. She hopes that an upcoming amnesty will waive her residency penalties and allow her to get a six-month visa to look for a job.

“I am determined to start life afresh with my baby,” she said

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