I Am Happy For Myself," "But My Friends In Afghanistan Can’t Do Anything": Afghan Women Who Escaped To Get An Education Abroad
New Age Islam News Bureau
07 Sep 2024
· I Am Happy For Myself," "But My Friends In Afghanistan Can’t Do Anything": Afghan Women Who Escaped To Get An Education Abroad
· Iran Escalates Crackdown Ahead Of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Anniversary
· Pakistani Woman Pardoned By Family Of Two She Crushed To Death With SUV, Escapes Punishment Under Sharia
· Two African Women , Barbra Banda and Tabitha Chawinga, are on the Ballon d’Or Shortlist for the First Time Ever
· UAE: Free Breast Cancer Test, Mammogram Screenings For Women Next Month
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/afghanistan-afghan-women-education-abroad/d/133146
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I Am Happy For Myself," "But My Friends In Afghanistan Can’t Do Anything": Afghan Women Who Escaped To Get An Education Abroad
Mah, 22, fled Afghanistan when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan
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Peter Gillibrand
For many people in the UK this week, school has started again.
But for women and girls in Afghanistan, there is still a ban from secondary school classrooms, and much of public life, by the Taliban.
Mah, 22, fled from the country in August 2021 when the group swept into the capital Kabul.
She is now getting an education in the UK, starting a GCSE in English this week and she tells BBC Newsbeat: "I am happy for myself. I am safe. I have freedom. I am free."
"But at the same time, my friends in Afghanistan can’t do anything," she adds.
In the three years since the Taliban took control, restrictions on women’s lives have increased.
Women and girls over 12 are banned from schools, and prevented from sitting most university entrance exams. There are also restrictions in the work they can do, with beauty salons being closed, as well as being not being able to go to parks, gyms and sport clubs.
"I don’t put my picture on [WhatsApp or Instagram] stories when I’m happy, when I go out with friends or when I’m in college," Mah says.
"Because I don’t want my friends [back home] to feel like: 'Oh she’s in the UK now - she has freedom'."
Mah, who is in Cardiff, hopes a GCSE in English is the start to eventually becoming a midwife in Wales.
"It’s hard for me because I can go to college here and I can go to work.
"But at the same time, back home, my friends who are the same age, can't leave the house."
The Taliban has said its ban is down to religious issues.
They have repeatedly promised women would be readmitted once the issues were sorted - including making sure the curriculum was "Islamic".
But, there has since been no movement on the ban, and Afghanistan is the only country with such restrictions.
Mah’s journey to education in Cardiff was far from easy.
During the Taliban takeover, she says she fled from Helmand Province to Kandahar and then to Kabul. She woke up in the middle of the night, three days after arriving in the capital city, to find the Taliban on her street.
"If I stayed in Afghanistan, maybe they would kill me, maybe they would marry me.
"I called my mum and said 'Mum, I’m going.' She said, 'where are you going?'
"I said, 'I don’t know'."
Mah eventually arrived in the UK, along with other refugees who were being welcomed into the country.
"We came without anything. I didn’t say [a proper] goodbye to my mum. I didn’t even hug her. I will never forget this.
"It’s not safe now, but Afghanistan is the place I grew up and, went to school. I can’t forget the country, and I miss everything about it."
Mah received support from one of the largest youth organisations, the Urdd, who were providing help in the Welsh capital.
Its chief executive, Sian Lewis, says some people who fled to Wales and received an education are bilingual in Welsh now.
"They were educated here in the Urdd to start off with and a number went to live in different parts of Wales.
"It’s opened so many doors for them," she says.
When Mah came to the UK, she wasn't able to speak English.
"It was so hard. I didn’t know anybody. Everything was new."
But three years on, Mah has spoken to BBC Newsbeat in an English interview which lasted over 20 minutes, and is also learning Welsh.
"People here should say 'thank God' everyday.
"Women have rights. People here have whatever they want open to them, and they are safe. They should be happy. They are so lucky."
Another person who has left Afghanistan is 17-year-old Aqdas.
She's now in the US with a fully funded scholarship to a college in New Mexico, more than 12,000 miles away from her home.
She recalls the day the Taliban took Kabul.
"I remember that I did not know what to do any more.
"Will they take my rights away? Will I experience violence just like my mother did 20 years ago?
"I noticed that my mum was crying and she placed her hand on my shoulder, telling me that, she couldn't continue her education because of the Taliban."
But she told Aqdas that she shouldn't "let the Taliban or your limitations write the scripts for your life".
After that, Aqdas continued education online, in secret, with the help of the Herat online school.
"I never gave up on my studying. Whether it was online or finding another way to continue."
It was a long, and often chaotic, journey for her as well. When she got her scholarship to the USA, she had to get a visa but the embassy was shut in Afghanistan.
She says she then went to Pakistan with her father, using a medical visa because as a female, she did not have permission to leave the country.
Aqdas has now started classes but says there are other things that are often overlooked in Afghanistan.
"Lots of people think the only problem in Afghanistan is just the girls' education. There are other issues like mental health.
"Girls in Afghanistan are going through depression and anxiety every day and there is no help."
The UK Government has told BBC Newsbeat that it strongly condemns the ban on women heading to the classroom and university, and that it urgently calls on the Taliban to "reverse these decisions and to protect Afghan girls’ rights".
Newsbeat has approached the Taliban to comment on concerns that women and girls are banned from education - but have received nothing back.
Source: bbc.com
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzyr318zzo
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Iran Escalates Crackdown Ahead Of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Anniversary
A composite image of Siavash Soltani at his mother's grave and 16-year-old Ramyar Abubakri, next to his brother Zanyar Abubakri who was shot by Iran's security forces in October 2022
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7 Sept 2024
As the anniversary of Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom protests approaches, security forces have begun a wave of arrests, repeating a pattern of repression targeting Iranian civil society and families of slain protestors.
This year’s crackdown began in Iran’s Kurdistan province, where at least 17 citizens were arrested in the first week of September, just days ahead of the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody on September 16, 2022, which sparked the nationwide Woman Life Freedom protests.
In an interview with Iran International regarding the recent wave of arrests around the anniversary, AzadehDavachi, a researcher, writer, and women's rights activist, remarked:
"One of the defining characteristics of dictatorial regimes is their reliance on escalating violence when they feel threatened, particularly in the face of political movements. What we are witnessing now is the government's fear of the potential resurgence of such movements."
Notably, among those arrested this week were relatives of protesters killed during the 2022 uprising, during which Iranian security forces killed at least 550 protesters, including children, and imprisoned over 20,000 people.
On Tuesday, security forces raided the homes of two families who lost relatives to state violence during the protests.
One of those arrested was 16-year-old RamyarAbubakri, brother of 21-year-old ZanyarAbubakri, who was fatally shot by state security forces on October 27, 2022, in Mahabad, Kurdistan. According to rights group Hengaw, security forces raided the Abubakri family home around 3 am on Tuesday, arresting Ramyar and assaulting several family members, including his parents.
At the same time, security forces also raided the home of SiavashSoltani, son of 52-year-old KobraSheikhe-Saqqa, another victim killed by state forces on the same day in Mahabad. Both Sheikhe-Saqqa and ZanyarAbubakri were shot during protests on October 27, 2022, which followed the funeral of another slain protester, SimkoMowloudi.
Rights group Kurdistan Human Rights reported that Soltani was beaten and arrested without a warrant, and both his and RamyarAbubakri’s whereabouts remain unknown since their arrest on Tuesday.
Hengaw also reported two further arrests in Mahabad, bringing the total of those detained in this city to 4, and 10 individuals were arrested in the city of Bolbanabad in Kurdistan province’s Dehgolan County, where multiple protestors were killed during the 2022 uprising, and 3 arrested in Oshnavieh in West Azerbaijan province.
Similar waves of arrests were reported last year across the country around the same time as the uprising’s anniversary with tens of arrests reported in Iran’s Azerbaijan region and at least 20 arrests in Kohgiluyehand Boyer-Ahmad province, Southwestern Iran.
Last year, Human Rights Watch said that Iranian authorities have ramped up their repression of civil society for the first anniversary of Amini’s death, calling on all delegations of UN member states to raise the plight of activists and put it at the center of their engagement.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202409061591
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Pakistani Woman Pardoned By Family Of Two She Crushed To Death With SUV, Escapes Punishment Under Sharia
September 6, 2024
Karachi: Money has always been a hot topic, whether among individuals or the biggest nations in the world, viz Capitalism and Socialism. Money is also said and believed to have an influence. The crux of the matter is that money is an authoritative factor.
Ultra-rich vs Poor
One news being reported from Pakistan suggests, very subtly and indirectly, that money might have played a crucial role in the case involving a wealthy, influential business family and two dead people who belonged to the lower middle class.
The report says that the relatives of two people, a man and his daughter, have forgiven a woman belonging to a wealthy, influential Pakistani business family here who ran down a luxurious SUV over them.
This news was shared by her lawyer on Friday, 06 September 2024.
What Is The Incident
On August 19, Natasha Danish, driving an expensive luxurious SUV hit a motorcycle ridden by Imran Arif with his daughter Amna Arif riding pillion from behind. Their motorcycle went flying, according to videos of the incident shared on social media and by the police.
Natasha hit three other motorcyclists, injuring them as she lost control of the vehicle.
Natasha Danish Was Disoriented And Unrepentant
The accident garnered a lot of attention on social media and became a raging debate on television channels as videos of Natasha Danish appearing disoriented and unrepentant over her actions went viral.
Imran Arif used to sell papers to shops while his daughter Amna Arif was employed in a private firm.
Natasha Forgiven By Victims’ Family
After the hearing at a Sessions Court earlier on Friday, September 6, Barrister UzairGhouri, representing the victims’ families, told the media that they (the families) had forgiven Natasha in the name of Allah.
The victims’ families submitted an affidavit in the court forgiving the accused.
Meanwhile, the defence lawyer claimed that Natasha had mental health issues and was under treatment since 2005.
The agreement between the affected families and the accused was presented in the court of a judicial magistrate where the case was under trial, after which the accused was granted bail.
Social Media Erupts With Fury
As soon as the judgment was pronounced, it was all over social media which erupted with rage and fury, accusing the victims’ families of accepting blood money.
“The bereaved families have forgiven the accused in the name of Allah and it is baseless rumours that they have taken blood money (Diyat in Islamic Shariah laws) to forgive her for the deaths,” said the defence lawyer.
Judgment Under Sharia Laws
In Pakistan, under Sharia laws, a victim’s family/heirs can forgive an accused even if he or she has caused death.
The law is called Qisas and Diyat law. Qisas, defined as “punishment by causing similar hurt at the same part of the body of the convict,” and diyat meaning, “compensation payable to the heirs of the victims.”
“The court has released Natasha on bail, she can go anywhere in the world,” said defence lawyer barrister Amir Mansoob.
Source: india.com
https://www.india.com/news/world/pakistani-woman-natasha-danish-pardoned-by-family-of-two-she-crushed-to-death-with-suv-karsaz-road-karachi-escapes-punishment-under-sharia-7225107/
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Two African Women , Barbra Banda and Tabitha Chawinga, are on the Ballon d’Or Shortlist for the First Time Ever
by Simi Iluyomade•Sep 5, 2024
Barbra Banda and Tabitha Chawinga have both been shortlisted for this year’s Ballon d'Or Féminin, marking the first time in history two African Women have been nominated for the prestigious award.
Both Banda and Chawinga are coming off of incredible years at their respective clubs. As two of the most prolific goal scorers in the game right now, there’s no question why these two are up for the award.
Banda signed for Orlando Pride earlier this year, becoming the second most expensive player in women’s football history. In the short time she’s been at the club, she has led them to an undefeated season so far, racking up 12 goals in 14 appearances, and is the first player in NWSL history to score 10 goals in 10 matches.
New Lyon signing Chawinga spent the 2023/24 season on loan at PSG after a spell at Inter Milan the season before. Across those two campaigns, she scored 42 goals in 44 appearances, and on her UWCL debut became the first Malawian to play and score in the competition.
Prior to this year’s nominations, AsisatOshoala was the first and only African woman to be shortlisted for the award, making history two years ago. The Ballon d'Or Féminin has historically been dominated by European and North American players so for not one, but two African women to be recognised, is a feat in its own right.
As more African players finally gain the recognition they deserve, here’s to more history being made in the future. The continent is bursting at the seams with talent, and they’re all waiting to get their flowers.
Source: versus.uk.com
https://www.versus.uk.com/articles/two-african-women-are-on-the-ballon-dor-shortlist-for-the-first-time-ever
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UAE: Free breast cancer test, mammogram screenings for women next month
6 Sep 2024,
Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), in collaboration with leading public and private sector partners, will be offering free clinical breast examination and mammogram screenings across the UAE in October.
As part of a campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the examinations will be available to female citizens and residents.
Pink Caravan, FOCP’s annual initiative, allows companies to book a Mobile Clinic. This clinic will provide free mammograms for up to 20 female employees aged 40 and above, along with clinical breast exams for 60 female employees aged 20 and over.
In addition, the Pink Caravan Corporate Wellness Day targets staff from both private and government organisations, offering virtual seminars and vouchers for mammogram screenings and clinical exams for women aged 20 and above.
The initiative also offers businesses the opportunity to arrange awareness seminars for both men and women, either on-site or virtually.vCompanies can also use Pink Caravan's Mini Clinic service, which provides a comprehensive package of awareness sessions and medical services. This includes clinical breast exams for up to 60 female employees aged 20 and above, along with vouchers for free mammogram screenings at Pink Caravan’s fixed and mobile clinics.
Aisha Al Mulla, director of FOCP, said: “The fight against breast cancer is a collective responsibility that goes beyond the healthcare sector, involving both public and private sectors. Partnerships with various stakeholders are crucial in spreading the message of early detection, providing vital resources for patients, and ensuring that awareness campaigns are effective and far-reaching. Everyone—companies, institutions, and individuals—has a role to play in this mission.
She added: “At FOCP, we are committed to fostering a culture of continuous community support, with efforts extending beyond Pink October to provide year-round assistance to patients and their families through digital platforms to engage directly with the community, offering ongoing support and advice. The significant role of youth in raising awareness cannot be overstated, and I encourage them to join us, and use their creativity to inspire and lead in the fight against breast cancer”.
Firms can avail of the services by sending an email to jamila@pinkcaravan.ae or hana@pinkcaravan.ae.
FOCP is also calling on medical professionals from various fields to volunteer for the Pink Caravan campaign. Doctors, nurses, and students from medical and nursing schools are encouraged to join the team in October, offering free medical services to the community and helping to support the campaign’s mission. Those interested in volunteering can sign up by sending an email to info@pinkcaravan.ae.
Source: khaleejtimes.com
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/lifestyle/health/uae-free-breast-cancer-test-mammogram-screenings-for-female-residents-next-month
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/afghanistan-afghan-women-education-abroad/d/133146