SYDNEY: A New Zealand diplomat who helped a 41-year-old woman escape physical and emotional abuse from her Egypt husband is facing losing her job over government cuts. According to New Zealand press reports, the woman, Sharon Churchill said she suffered emotional and physical duress until two Cairo embassy diplomats, including Barbara Welton – who never faced any disciplinary action – assisted Churchill in leaving the country via the Red Sea resort town of Dahab in February. Welton also was instrumental is enabling another New Zealand woman, Mihi Puriri, from escaping Algeria. When Puriri escaped from the Algerian father of her children last week, Welton sat on the floor and refused to leave unless Puriri's children could leave too. The children are now still being held by their father Mohamed Azzaoui in Algeria. Welton's job is now one of the duties being earmarked by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be disestablished. Labour leader David Shearer said Welton's work in Algeria demonstrates how important it is to have New Zealand diplomats based overseas. Churchill met her now ex-husband while travelling in Dahab, Egypt and has warned other women about having holiday romances. She told APNZ that when she first met the man he was “bubbly, funny and witty” and she had no idea he would end up beating her. She eventually contacted the New Zealand embassy in Cairo to tell them she might need help to get out. Across the globe Welton has received praise for her efforts in protecting women in such circumstances. Wellington-based women's rights activist Idris Yussif told Bikyamasr.com that “while it is important what she did, the reality is the foreign women must not find themselves in such circumstances.” The Pakistani descent activist said that “in their home countries, they would never agree to marry someone they had known only a short time, so part of the blame must be on the woman for being in the predicament, but it does not excuse the man for using violence.” BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/0ReX9 Tags: Dahab, featured, New Zealand, Welton, Women Section: Egypt, Latest News, Oceana, Travel, Women
