Lahore Female DC, Rafia Haider, Denies NOC to Aurat March Fearing Clash with Jamaat-e-Islami’s ‘Haya March’
New
Age Islam News Bureau
04
March 2023
• Fighter,
Rebel, Change-Maker, Boxer Nikhat Zareen: Never Shied Away From Accepting Any
of These Tags
• Musical
Tribute to Egyptian Singing Legend Umm Kulthum to Open In Saudi Arabia
• UAE
Visa: One Year Grace Period for Divorced and Widowed Women
• Jemima
Goldsmith, Ex-Wife Of Imran Khan, Misses Pakistan’s Hospitality, Gulab Jamuns,
And Truck Art
• Hijab
Ban: Karnataka Girls May Lose One Year
• Muslim
Women-Run Markets Help Families Prepare For Ramadan In Orange County
• For
First Time, Women Represented In All Parliaments Of The World
• Women's
Day In UAE: Meet The Emirati On A Mission To Solve Period Woes With Sanitary
Pad Vending Machines
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/aurat-march-lahore-female-rafia-haider/d/129248
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Lahore Female DC, Rafia Haider, Denies NOC to Aurat March Fearing Clash with Jamaat-e-Islami’s ‘Haya March’
Lahore
Female DC, Rafia Haider
------
Imran
Gabol
March
4, 2023
LAHORE:
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rafia Haider has rejected permission to organise the
Aurat March on the grounds of security concerns, ‘controversial’ cards and
banners supporting women’s rights, and the likelihood of clashes with members
of Jamaat-i-Islami’s ‘Haya March’.
Civil
society, political parties, and rights organisations condemned the deputy
commissioner for rejecting the plea to organise Aurat March on International
Women’s Day on March 8.
The
Aurat March organizing committee had requested a no objection certificate (NOC)
from the district administration to hold a rally on March 8 at Nasser Bagh,
Lahore, followed by a march around the perimeter of the park.
However,
DC Haider rejected the plea in the wake of threat alerts from security agencies.
“Following
the current security scenario, threat alerts, and law and order situation, and
in light of activities like controversial cards and banners for awareness of
women’s rights and the strong reservation of the general public and religious
organizations, especially JI’s women’s and student wings, who had also
announced a program against the Aurat March,” said a statement issued by the
DC.
There
is fear of conflict between the two groups, therefore, the NOC may not be
issued for the holding of the Aurat March and Convention at Alhamra Hall, The
Mall, and Aiwan-i-Iqbal, and a rally from the Lahore Press Club to Charing
Cross, and also at a rally at Nasser Bagh, on March 8 to avoid any law and
order situation or mishap.
The
Aurat March organising committee strongly condemned the DC for rejecting their
application to hold the event. “Women, khawaja sara community, transgender
persons, gender non-conforming people, and allies of the Aurat March have the
right to the assembly under Article 16 of the Constitution of Pakistan,” they
said.
They
said that the DC denied the NOC under the pressure of the JI’s “Haya March.”
They
said the denial to hold Aurat March was against their constitutional right, and
the DC did not take action against the group for inciting violence against
them.
They
said they were denied permission to gather at Nasser Bagh and other avenues,
such as the Lahore Press Club, Alhamra, and The Mall. “We do not require an NOC
to exercise our constitutional right to march. There is no legitimate “public
order” rationale to prevent us from assembling, marching and making our voices
heard,” reads the statement.
They
added the administration has forgotten that the courts have already upheld
their right to hold Aurat March in 2020. “Lahore and Islamabad high courts
upheld the march’s constitutional right to speech and assembly and directed the
government to grant permission to carry out the march,” the committee said.
They
said they would hold the march on March 8 and would not allow anyone to snatch
their constitutional right.
The
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also strongly condemned the Lahore district
administration for rejecting Aurat March organisers permission to hold a public
rally marking International Women’s Day on March 8.
“It
is regrettable that their right to peaceful assembly is routinely challenged by
the district administration because ‘controversial’ placards and ‘strong
reservations’ from the public and religious organisations ostensibly create
law-and-order risks. This is a poor defence.”
The
HRCP demanded that the caretaker Punjab government uphold the Aurat March’s
right to freedom of peaceful assembly and provide the marchers with full
security.
One
of the committee members, Hiba, told Dawn that the DC allowed the JI to hold a
rally to celebrate their “Haya Day” but refused to permit to hold Aurat March.
She
said the administration was rejecting their plea discriminatory. “We’ll
approach the court to get permission as the march organizers got permission to
hold a march in the past too,” she said.
Source:
Dawn
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Fighter,
Rebel, Change-Maker, Boxer Nikhat Zareen: Never Shied Away From Accepting Any
of These Tags
Boxer
Nikhat Zareen
-----
Mar
04, 2023
By
Henna Rakheja
Fighter.
Rebel. Changemaker. Boxer Nikhat Zareen has never shied away from accepting any
of these tags, and then some more that came her way, alongside the medals! She
started out as a “big rebel” in her family. Recalling her childhood and
growing-up years, she feels, “It’s important for women to ask questions that no
one dares to ask, and take up the task to prove the so-called male-driven
society or orthodox mentality. You know, normally parents don’t allow their
daughters to take up sports, especially combat sports, because they fear that
they might get injured and no one will marry them or because of some other
religious issues. But if a girl wants to achieve something, she can rise up to
any challenge.”
“When
I started boxing, people used to pass all sorts of negative comments about me
and my family,” recalls the 26-year-old, adding, “They were not able to digest
that a small girl from a Muslim family had taken up boxing. I remember people
coming over to my house and telling my dad ‘Jameel bhai ladki ko boxing mein
kyun daale? Sahi nhi hai.’ But my dad was unaffected by such comments and
helped me to stay focused on boxing only.”
Today,
as she makes her voice heard as the first Indian Muslim woman to have won the
2022 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, she stays focussed on her aim: “I
only focus on playing well and making my country proud.”
Her
wins have made her an inspiration for many young girls who aspire to take up
sports or are beginning to find a footing in this arena. Zareen shares, “I feel
happy when I see new girls taking up boxing because somewhere I can connect
with them. I know that they must have also faced a lot of difficulties getting
there... Women can also achieve so much if they are given the right
opportunities and support.”
All
set to reclaim her title in the upcoming world championships in Delhi, she says
when she is in the ring, the cheering from the “certainly motivates” her to
perform better. “Before my match, I pray to the Almighty and focus on the
thought that I have to show my A-game, whatever the end results may be,” she
shares, adding how crucial it is for a sportsperson to stay positive: “I’d like
to advise the budding generation that no matter how big the challenge is in
front of you, you should never give up! Just keep fighting for dreams until you
start living them.”
Source:
Hindustan Times
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Musical
Tribute To Egyptian Singing Legend Umm Kulthum To Open In Saudi Arabia
March
03, 2023
DHAHRAN:
A musical tribute to the late Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum will on Tuesday open
in Saudi Arabia.
Produced
and written by Saudi theatre and film producer, Mona Khashoggi, “Umm Kulthum
and the Golden Era” will be performed at Dhahran’s King Abdulaziz Centre for
World Culture, in Arabic with some English, which will be subtitled.
The
show, which has already been staged in Dubai and London, tells the story of the
early life of the iconic singer, songwriter, and film actress.
Born
in 1898 on the Egyptian Delta into relative poverty, Kulthum rose from humble
beginnings to transform herself into the Star of the Orient, her talent shining
in Egypt and throughout the Arab-speaking world.
Her
father recognized her musical ability at a young age and disguised her as a boy
so she could perform and make money to help feed the family.
Kulthum,
who died in Cairo in 1975, was mentored by the best composers and writers of
the era and became a legend with her unique style and voice.
The
show, lasting for two hours and 20 minutes, will run at Ithra until March 17 —
excluding March 12 and 13 — starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced from SR150
($40) and can be purchased via the Ithra website or app. A 20 percent discount
will apply for Ithra members.
Source:
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2261811/saudi-arabia
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UAE
Visa: One Year Grace Period for Divorced and Widowed Women
27
Feb 2023
The
UAE grants women an extension of one year on their residence visa, if they are divorced
or widowed.
According
to the official UAE government portal, the extension starts from the date of
the death of her husband or the divorce, is renewable for one time only and
does not require a substitute sponsor.
The
extension applies to the woman’s children as well, provided they were on their
father’s visa at the time of their father’s death or their parents’ divorce.
According
to the website:
The
visas of the woman and her children must have been valid at the time of the
death or the divorce.
The
duration of the child’s/children’s residence visa should not exceed that of the
mother.
Residency
rules for widowed and divorced women in UAE
As
per the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security
(ICP) website, the residency of widowed and divorced women and their children
are subject to a set of conditions and rules including that the widow or
divorced women and their children must have had their residency visas sponsored
by the deceased or former husband at the time of death or divorce.
According
to a statement made by Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, Acting
Director-General for Foreigners Affairs and Ports at ICP in 2018, the mother’s
and her children’s residence visas must also be valid at the time of death or
divorce and that the children’s residency period does not exceed that of the
mother.
He
also said “a widow or divorcee can benefit from such facilitations of the
Decree even if she has no children.”
Women
can apply for the extension under the Decree on the relevant form, and
submitting a proof of divorce or death for a widow, the statement said.
Women
must also submit a proof of house availability, proof of ability to earn a
living, and a certification of medical examination for the mother and children
over 18 years.
They
must also submit their ID and health insurance cards, as applicable in the UAE.
As
for the fee, Brigadier Al Rashidi has said that the ICP will request each
beneficiary to pay the normal fees levied for the services provided by ICP,
which are the cancellation fees for the previous residency visas of the widow,
divorcee, and children, and one-year residency fees of AED100.
However,
‘in lieu of leaving’ fees will not be collected for such case because it is
related to the extension of a residency visa in accordance with the Cabinet
Decree, the statement said, citing Brigadier Al Rashidi.
Source:
Arabian Business
https://www.arabianbusiness.com/culture-society/uae-visa-one-year-grace-period-for-divorced-women
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Jemima
Goldsmith, Ex-Wife Of Imran Khan, Misses Pakistan’s Hospitality, Gulab Jamuns,
And Truck Art
MARCH
3, 2023
According
to Jemima Goldsmith, she misses Pakistan most for its hospitality, Gulab
Jamuns, and truck art.
“What
struck me were the trucks,” said the ex-wife of Pakistan’s former Prime
Minister in an interview with the Express Tribune. The British producer, who
recently debuted in the romantic comedy genre with ‘What’s Love Got To Do With
It,’ previously worked on documentaries about topics such as the use of drones
in warfare and women and children in Pakistan and other countries.
“When
I came out, I thought there was a festival going on,” Ms Goldsmith recalled. “I
couldn’t believe that every single lorry would be painted so exquisitely!”
‘Where is the festival?’ I kept asking. Is there going to be a carnival? ‘What
exactly is going on?’ And I recall people laughing at me.”
It’s
worth noting that Jemima and Imran Khan first met in a London club in 1995.
They married the following year, with Jemima converting to Islam and moving to
Lahore with husband Imran. Jemima and Imran had two sons, Sulaiman Isa (born in
1996) and Kasim (born 1999).
On
June 22, 2004, it was announced that the couple had divorced ending the
nine-year marriage because it was ‘difficult for Jemima to adapt to the
political life of Imran Khan in Pakistan’.
Jemima
recollects being told about how this is what a traditional public vehicle looks
like in Pakistan. “Every single bus, van and truck is painted like this with
pride. Then I became a bit obsessed with truck art. Being so very surprised
with the art was one thing still etched in my mind about Pakistan.”
Jemima
says that among the numerous aspects of Pakistani culture she wanted to include
in her movie was truck art.
“We
were shooting during Covid, and I wanted a truck art rickshaw in one of the
scenes,” she said, adding how it became quite a challenge. “I was desperately
calling anyone I could think of, I was putting out messages on Twitter if
anyone has it, we called Pakistani restaurants, thinking maybe we’d find one
there. Well, luckily, we did find it. But it was a task.”
Besides
the truck art, Jemima said that “Gulab Jamuns and the hospitality” are the two
things she terribly missed about Pakistan.
Source:
Daily Times
--------
Hijab
ban: Karnataka girls may lose one year
Mar
4, 2023
NEW
DELHI: Muslim girl pre-university college students, who had dropped a year by
not appearing in the PUC examination protesting ban on hijab in Karnataka
government schools and PU colleges, may lose the current academic year as the
Supreme Court on Friday refused urgent listing of the plea to allow them to
appear with hijab for this year's examinations starting from March 9.
A
hijab clad advocate on Friday sought urgent hearing of an application filed by
'Sharia Committee for Women' seeking allowing hijab wearing Muslim girl
students to appear in PUC examinations. The committee has also challenged a
Karnataka HC verdict upholding the state's decision to ban students from
wearing religious clothings, including hijab, to government schools and
colleges. On October 13 last year, a two-judge bench of the SC had given a
split verdict on the validity of the ban, which would require the CJI to
constitute a three-judge bench for hearing afresh the appeals.
With
no working day available before March 6, when the SC goes for a week-long Holi
festival break, CJI D Y Chandrachud said he would constitute a three- judge
bench which would commence hearing on the pending appeals immediately after the
court resumes judicial work from March 13.
As
the second PUC examination commences from March 9, the advocate said,
"Those who want to wear hijab to school and colleges have already lost an
academic year last year because they were not permitted to enter the college
premises wearing hijab. What about this academic year? Should they lose this
also?" The CJI said, "I cannot answer your questions. I will constitute
a bench and it will commence hearing on the pending appeals as soon as
possible. "
The
first PUC examination, which commenced on February 20, is scheduled to conclude
on March 6. The second PUC examination is scheduled between March 9-29. Even if
a three-judge SC bench hears the pending appeals and plea for interim stay of
the order banning hijab into government educational institutions on the first
available day on March 13, by then some of the examination papers would have
been over.
Earlier,
two petitioners -an 18 year old Muslim girl student and father of another -had
requested the SC for urgent listing of their applications seeking interim stay
on the ban on wearing religious clothings in government schools and colleges to
enable them to wear hijabs in accordance with their religious beliefs while
appearing in PUC board examinations (second PUC examination).
Citing
the split verdict, they had said at least one of the SC judges had favoured
allowing students to wear hijab to government education institutions, which
strengthened their case.
Source:
Times Of India
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Muslim
women-run markets help families prepare for Ramadan in Orange County
By
YUSRA FARZAN
March
3, 2023
In
the week leading up to the LA Muslimah Ramadan Market opening on Sunday, March
5 in Yorba Linda, founder Samreen Khan has had to battle the unusual weather in
Southern California and tedious paperwork to ensure the market happens without
a hitch.
Yet,
she is willing to jump through administrative hoops because she believes this
market is special and necessary for the Muslim community. The market, she said,
is an opportunity for mostly Muslim women-owned businesses to showcase their
products and have the community support them.
And
Khan is not alone in thinking this way.
In
the lead-up to Ramadan, women-led markets have been popping up to help families
shop for decor, food, kids’ toys and books, and modest clothing, among other
things, to prepare for the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
In
Mission Viejo, the Orange County Islamic Foundation, the local mosque, is
hosting its annual bazaar on Saturday, March 11, organized by the Women’s
Committee. And in Irvine, Shahzia Rahman and Lubna Saadeh are bringing the
fifth edition of QuadM, a Ramadan market, on March 18-19.
During
Ramadan, Muslims across the world fast from sunrise to sunset for 29 or 30
days, depending on when the crescent moon is sighted for the new month. Fasting
during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is also a time for
prayer and charity. Muslims believe that it was during Ramadan that God
revealed the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.
This
year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Wednesday, March 22.
Rahman,
an Irvine resident for more than 22 years before moving to Dallas in 2022, quit
her job at Google when she became a mother in 2010. As her daughter became
older, she wanted her to be around other Muslim kids so she started a
play-based, parent-participation preschool at the local mosque. It was there
that she met Saadeh, and their friendship blossomed.
In
2018, Rahman approached Saadeh with the idea of creating a market where small
businesses could showcase their products. Saadeh, who had many friends who ran
small businesses from their homes, thought it was a great idea.
“One
of the biggest struggles we face as Muslim women and moms is not having access
to be able to be away from our children for very long periods of time to follow
our passions,” Rahman said.
They
anticipated 10 vendors and 100 shoppers at the QuadM market — but it boasted
more than 30 vendors and sold 500 tickets.
“I
think that was the first time that we really felt like we had something here,”
Saadeh said.
This
year, the market has more than 90 vendors signed up to participate. And Rahman
says they’re expecting up to 5,000 people to attend.
Since
QuadM’s inception in 2018, Rahman and Saadeh have also noticed an increase in
Muslim women-owned small businesses.
“Women
have come to the market and seen that they can do this. There is a space for
them to do this,” Rahman said. “They’ve made their hobby into something that
they can share.”
Khan,
the founder of the Yorba Linda market who also runs a modest clothing business,
said these outlets give vendors an opportunity to find community, especially as
some are first-time entrepreneurs and face challenges in starting their
businesses.
“We
provide emotional support, we share knowledge and resources,” said Khan.
Any
time Khan runs into a roadblock in her business, she reaches out to other
vendors — her sisters, as she calls them — and they help her. Sometimes, it’s
just words of encouragement; other times it’s promoting her brand.
In
recent years, businesses such as Target, Walmart and Party City, have created
product lines, like Ramadan and Eid decor, aimed at the Muslim consumer. But
Khan, a West Covina resident, said she shops at these local markets because
it’s an opportunity to support a small business.
When
Khan moved to Southern California from South Florida, she left behind her
family and friends. Ramadan in South Florida was a time for her family to
gather at her mother’s house.
“Since
we didn’t have family, and we didn’t have close friends here, I wanted to
decorate the house and bring that vibe inside the house,” Khan said.
Ramadan
decor is a popular item at the markets, in addition to modest clothing for Eid,
Islamic books and puzzles, handmade jewelry and halal food items. And Kainat
Hamid, a mother of two living in the South Bay, is excited to peruse these
items at QuadM again.
“For
me, personally, it was a big thing because I didn’t have access to that stuff
(Islamic books and resources) when I was growing up,” Hamid said of visiting
the market for the first time last year. “To see some of that stuff for my
kids, I like that.”
Hamid
wants to make Ramadan special for her 3-year-old daughter. She has begun
talking about the holy month with her, and at QuadM, she’s looking to buy books
that will help her learn about Ramadan’s significance.
Markets
like QuadM, Hamid said, also help highlight Muslim-owned businesses. Before
attending and networking at last year’s event, she only knew of a handful of
businesses, but after QuadM, she learned more and began following their social
media pages.
LA
Muslimah Ramadan Market will take place on March 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at
the Yorba Linda Community Center. Entry is free but registration is encouraged
on Eventbrite.
The
OCIF Annual Bazaar is happening on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the
mosque premises in Mission Viejo. Admission is free but visitors must register
on Eventbrite.
QuadM
will take place on March 18-19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the New Horizon
Community Center in Irvine. Tickets start at $5 and can be purchased on its
website.
Source:
Ocregister
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For
first time, women represented in all parliaments of the world
3 March
2023
In
its latest annual report, the global body dedicated to promoting peace through
parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue, also said that women’s participation has
never been as diverse as it is in many countries today.
The
findings are based on data from the 47 countries that held elections last year.
These
polls saw women take an average of 25.8 per cent of the seats available,
representing a 2.3 percentage point increase, since elections were last held.
Smallest
increase
Despite
this positive data, IPU noted that it is nonetheless the smallest increase in
women’s participation in six years. The 0.4 per cent rise means that the global
share of women in parliamentary office, stood at 26.5 per cent, as the New Year
dawned.
The
other bad news is that at this rate, it will take another 80 years to reach
gender parity in parliament, said Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General:
“Currently,
one of the foremost obstacles, is the climate of sexism, harassment, violence
against women that we are witnessing across the world”, he said.
“It
is a phenomenon that is pervasive across the world and it is not endemic to any
particular region. And we can estimate that this is having a toll on the
participation of women in political life.”
Women
premiers exit early
The
IPU chief referred to the resignations of New Zealand and Scotland premiers
Jacinda Ardern and Nicola Sturgeon, saying that it was widely held that they
had stepped down after being harassed.
Mr.
Chungong also pointed to other IPU data showing pervasive and increasing trend
of harassment, sexism and violence against women, that deters them from
participating in the political processes in their countries.
Lesia
Vasylenko, President of the IPU Bureau of Women MPs, said that every woman
elected, “brings parliaments one step closer to becoming more inclusive and
representative and it’s great to see much more diversity”.
But
overall, she added, “progress is far too slow with half the world’s population
still vastly under-represented. There is an urgent need to change this, to
strengthen democracy everywhere.”
The
President of the IPU, Duarte Pacheco, called on male colleagues in every
parliament worldwide, “to work with their female counterparts to move forward
and accelerate the pace of change.”
Some
highlights
There
were encouraging signs that progress is at least happening. Brazil saw a record
4,829 women who identify as Black, running for election, out of nearly 27,000
standing overall.
In
the USA, a record 263 women of colour stood in the Congressional Midterms. And
LGBTQI+ representation in Colombia, tripled, from two to six members of the
Congress.
In
France, 32 candidates from a minority background were elected to the new
National Assembly, an all time high of 5.8 per cent of the total.
Source:
News UN
https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/03/1134117
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Women's
Day in UAE: Meet the Emirati on a mission to solve period woes with sanitary
pad vending machines
by
Nasreen Abdulla
4
Mar 2023
With
Women’s Day around the corner, Khaleej Times is introducing more women who are
breaking barriers, starting difficult conversations, and making a difference
for thousands of people.
Make
sanitary napkins accessible, affordable and convenient for women — that is the
goal with which Emirati entrepreneur Alyazi Al Muhairi set up her business
Coven. Established in August 2022, Coven tries to create spaces that are
inclusive of women's menstrual health by providing safe and ultra-hygienic
alternatives to feminine care.
“A
woman’s journey is discounted,” said Alyazi. “There are so many instances where
a woman has to cancel a meeting or plans because she unexpectedly got her
period. If she is not carrying a pad, she has to step out of the office, rush
to a supermarket or pharmacy and even hide it in her purse or wherever while
she goes to the bathroom. Yet, majority of the bathrooms in offices and public
places do not have a sanitary napkin dispenser.”
Working
in policy-making for a government agency, Alyazi realised the lack of washroom
equity between men and women and wanted to change that. It is to fill this gap
that she and her friends set up Coven.
Why
don’t offices provide sanitary napkins like they provide tissues or toilet
paper?
“In
my office, every woman would bring her own pads,” she said. “Once, we were out
of pads because the cleaning lady took one. And that is when I started
thinking, this is such a normal thing. Why don’t offices provide sanitary
napkins like they provide tissues or toilet paper? There are so many women who
are traumatised because they got their period unexpectedly and had to go
through embarrassing situations because they didn’t have a pad readily
available.”
99%
women want pad vending machines: Poll
Functioning
primarily as a B2B enterprise that aims to provide vending machines of sanitary
napkins to offices and public places, Alyazi said she had faced a lot of
resistance and challenges.
“We
call offices and tell them that we will give them the vending machines at cost
price or even free but we never hear back from them,” she admitted. “It is like
people just do not want to acknowledge that women get periods or that they need
pads.”
However,
the team has seen tremendous response from businesses owned by women. “They are
very responsive and on board with the idea,” she said. “We have noticed that
when there are no women at the decision-making table, women’s needs are not
considered. Whether it is periods rights or maternity leave or providing
sanitary napkins.”
In
a survey of over 500 women, the company found that 99 per cent of women would
like a sanitary napkin vending machine in their common areas. However, Alyazi
says the vending machines currently available in some toilets are inconvenient
and cumbersome. “Firstly it uses only coins,” she said. “Who carries coins with
them all the time? Also, those pads are of inferior quality and could result in
a UTI or infections.”
Affordable,
environment-friendly
According
to Alyazi, a lot of thought went into designing the pads. “We wanted something
that was of good quality, affordable and environment-friendly,” she said. Coven
products use bamboo fibres in a bid to make the product more sustainable.
“Making
cotton takes a lot of resources,” she said. “Processing it is also very taxing
for the environment because of the fumes released. Bamboo, on the other hand,
is a self-generating tree and using its fibres is better for the environment.”
The
packaging of the product has been designed to keep it discrete. “A lot of women
feel embarrassed to take a pad out of their bag and walk to the bathroom with
it,” said Alyazi. “So, we made the packaging to make it look discrete. In fact,
I have tested it in many social settings to see if men can understand what it
is. They mostly think it is a face mask.”
Alyazi
says the team has worked very hard to design a high-quality product at low
cost. “Our pads are tested in the lab to make sure they are hypoallergenic,”
she said. “Also, we wanted them to be more readily available and at very low
costs. No one ever even thinks of the fact that women of lower income cannot
afford to buy pads. It is never discussed.”
The
company has also donated thousands of sanitary napkins to women’s labor camps
and at events to ensure that they reach those who need the most.
Source:
Khaleej Times
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/aurat-march-lahore-female-rafia-haider/d/129248
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