UN Chief: Awards to Julia Parsi and Nila Ebrahimi inspire girls in Afghanistan
New Age Islam News Bureau
23 Nov2024
· GWFD 2024: Leading global organisations to discuss ways to empower women
· Women’s minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri: Rising reports of violence against women signal growing awareness
· Woman wins civil rape case against Conor McGregor
· After Hezbollah rocket kills Muslim woman, Arab town is hit with explosion of racism
· Rawalpindi court issues non-bailable arrest warrant for Bushra Bibi in £190m case
· Both Muslim, Hindu Women Benefited From LadkiBahin: Shaina NC On Election Results
· UN Chief: Awards to Julia Parsi and NilaEbrahimi inspire girls in Afghanistan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/awards-julia-parsi-nila-ebrahimi-afghanistan/d/133800
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UN Chief: Awards to Julia Parsi and NilaEbrahimi inspire girls in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
November 22, 2024
The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights described the awards given to Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist, and NilaEbrahimi, an education activist, as inspiring. Richard Bennett called their efforts “strong and unwavering.”
On Friday, November 22, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, wrote on his X account that the work of these two women in the face of “gender oppression in Afghanistan” is inspirational. He stated that their struggles deserve recognition in international communities.
Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist, and ManuchehrKhaliqnazarov, a human rights lawyer in Tajikistan, jointly received the Martin Ennals Human Rights Award on Tuesday, November 21.
The Ennals Foundation stated that these two human rights defenders have “paid a heavy price for justice and equality in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.”
On the same day, the Children’s Rights Foundation awarded the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize to NilaEbrahimi, a 17-year-old Afghan girl, in recognition of her “advocacy for Afghan girls’ rights.”
Nila was selected from 165 nominees from 47 countries. This award has previously been given to notable figures such as environmental activist Greta Thunberg and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.
The recognition of Julia Parsi and NilaEbrahimi highlights the critical role of Afghan women and youth in advocating for human rights despite facing significant challenges.
Their achievements send a powerful message of resilience and hope to those enduring oppression.
These awards underscore the importance of continued international support for individuals fighting for equality and justice in regions affected by conflict and gender-based discrimination. Such recognition not only empowers activists but also keeps global attention focused on the plight of marginalized communities.
Sorce:khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/un-chief-awards-to-julia-parsi-and-nila-ebrahimi-inspire-girls-in-afghanistan/
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GWFD 2024: Leading global organisations to discuss ways to empower women
November 23, 2024
The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 to feature a distinguished line-up of global partners. Photo for illustrative purpose only.
Image Credit: DMO
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Dubai: The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 (GWFD 2024) announces an exceptional line-up of global partners and thought leaders for its third edition set to take place on November 26 — 27.
This year’s event, being held at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, will bring together prominent international organisations and experts committed to advancing women’s economic empowerment and addressing critical issues affecting gender parity worldwide. Inspiring women
Mona Al Marri, Chairperson of the Board and Managing Director of Dubai Women Establishment, expressed her enthusiasm for the Forum’s potential impact, stating: “The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 is more than a platform; it is a movement dedicated to harnessing global expertise to pave the way for equitable opportunities and to inspire women to reach their highest potential. Together, we are building a world where gender parity isn’t just a vision but a shared reality.”
Mona Al Marri, Chairperson of the Board and Managing Director of Dubai Women Establishment, expressed her enthusiasm for the Forum’s potential impact, stating: “The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 is more than a platform; it is a movement dedicated to harnessing global expertise to pave the way for equitable opportunities and to inspire women to reach their highest potential. Together, we are building a world where gender parity isn’t just a vision but a shared reality.”
The Forum will feature a distinguished line-up of global partners, each contributing their unique perspectives regarding the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing women’s economic participation and social inclusion. It is set to deliver a series of transformative workshops and panels spotlighting the vital role of women in driving economic, social, and environmental progress.
Key partners include
The Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi)International Finance Corporation (IFC) (part of World Bank Group)
The World Bank; the UAE Gender Balance Council (UAE GBC)
The Atlantic Council
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)
All of these will contribute to a thoughtfully designed program exploring critical trends, obstacles, and solutions to achieve gender parity.
The Power of Influence
The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 is held under the themes of “The power of influence”, Centred on ‘Future Economies, Future Societies’, ‘Collective Engagements, Collective Actions’, and ‘Impactful technologies, impactful innovations.’
It will host various sessions in the Discovery Hall and Mina Al Salam, providing a collaborative space for transformative change and actionable insights to drive progress in women’s empowerment by featuring a diverse mix of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote presentations.
Mona Al Marri said: “The GWFD 2024 stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, bringing together global partners who share a vision for a more inclusive, equitable world. Together, we are not just discussing ideas — we are creating a platform for action, unlocking the potential of women across all sectors to drive meaningful change and shape a brighter future.”
The World Bank and UAE Gender Balance Council
The World Bank, in collaboration with the UAE Gender Balance Council, will present sessions focused on enhancing gender equality through policy and legal frameworks. The “Women, Business and the Law Report 2024” session will reveal key findings from the latest report, discussing progress and challenges in closing legal gaps affecting women’s economic inclusion globally.
The World Bank, We-Fi and IFC
The World Bank’s empowering session will discuss the success stories of women entrepreneurs who have overcome obstacles, transformed industries, and create lasting impacts in their communities.
We-Fi’s sessions will delve into systemic issues faced by women entrepreneurs in the financial and climate sectors.
The IFC sessions showcase compelling stories from women entrepreneurs across the MENA region who have benefited from the She Wins program.
The Atlantic Council
The Atlantic Council’s “Win Fellowship: Driving Tomorrow’s Innovations through Entrepreneurship” session highlights the transformative impact of investing in women-led start-ups.
Through their participation, the Atlantic Council aims to highlight the critical link between sustainability and economic prosperity, showcasing how aligning ESG initiatives with the SDGs can drive innovation, enhance corporate reputation, and unlock new market opportunities in the region.
Unlocking Financial Opportunities
OECD’s session will address the persistent financial barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in the MENA region. The session aims to inspire regional change and create a more inclusive investment environment by highlighting success stories from countries like the UAE.
UAE — UN Humanitarian Partnerships
UN OCHA’s panel will highlight the critical contributions of the UAE to global humanitarian efforts. The session aims to amplify the UAE’s leadership and showcase successful collaborations with the UN in addressing emergencies, supporting gender-balanced initiatives, and engaging youth in humanitarian work.
Sorce:gulfnews.com
https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/gwfd-2024-leading-global-organisations-to-discuss-ways-to-empower-women-1.104737753
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Women’s minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri: Rising reports of violence against women signal growing awareness
23 Nov 2024
Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri urged women who are victims of violence to report such incidents to the police or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal to ensure prompt action can be taken.
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PUTRAJAYA, Nov 23 — The increase in cases of violence against women reflects a greater awareness among victims to step forward and lodge reports, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said that while the figures may not represent the actual extent of the problem, they indicate that more women are becoming courageous in seeking help.
“The reported cases are indeed increasing, but they only involve those who are brave enough to come forward.
“In the past, many cases may have gone unreported despite their prevalence. This means awareness is increasing, and we aim to strengthen it further,” she said after launching the Orange Run programme in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2024 here today.
Themed “Unite and End Violence Against Women,” the programme aims to raise public awareness of domestic violence and foster solidarity to address the issue.
Nancy also expressed pride in the overwhelming response to the event, which attracted 3,800 participants, surpassing the initial target of 3,000.
“The turnout today is very encouraging, including many men who joined the event. This shows that awareness is not limited to women but extends to society as a whole,” she said.
Nancy urged women who are victims of violence to report such incidents to the police or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal to ensure prompt action can be taken.
“Women who may have been unaware of available support can now reach out via the TalianKasih hotline at 15999 or WhatsApp to 019-2615999. We want them to know that they are not alone and that help is available,” she said. — Bernama
Sorce:malaymail.com
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/11/23/womens-minister-rising-reports-of-violence-against-women-signal-growing-awareness/157773
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Woman wins civil rape case against Conor McGregor
23 Nov 2024
A woman who accused Conor McGregor of raping her has won her claim against him for damages in a civil case.
A jury found that the Irish mixed martial arts fighter assaulted Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
He has been ordered to pay her more than €248,000 (£206,000) in damages.
Speaking outside the court on Friday, Ms Hand said her story was "a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be to speak up, you have a voice".
In a post on X on Friday evening, McGregor said he would appeal against the verdict and he thanked "all my support worldwide".
"I am with my family now, focused on my future" he added.
The jury at the High Court in Dublin had been deliberating for a day before returning its verdict that McGregor did assault Ms Hand.
She had also taken a case against another man, James Lawrence, 35, of Rafter's Road, Drimnagh in Dublin.
She alleged that he assaulted her by having sex with her without her consent in the Beacon Hotel.
The jury found that he did not assault her.
'Justice will be served'
Ms Hand told reporters said she was "overwhelmed and touched" by the support she had received.
She added: "I want to show [my daughter] Freya and every other young girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and that justice will be served."
Both men had denied the claims by the 35-year-old hair colourist and said they separately had consensual sex with Ms Hand at the hotel almost six years ago.
After eight days of evidence and three days listening to closing speeches and the judge's comments, the jury of eight women and four men spent six hours and 10 minutes deliberating before returning with its verdict.
McGregor shook his head after the jury read out that Ms Hand had won her case against him.
He was accompanied by his partner Dee Devlin, his parents, his sister and his brother-in-law.
He sat in the back row of the court, between his partner and mother Margaret.
Ms Hand cried and was hugged by her partner and supporters.
The jury had previously heard that on the day of the attack Ms Hand and her colleague Danielle Kealy went to the hotel's penthouse suite with McGregor and Mr Lawrence after their work Christmas party.
They gave evidence of how they had been partying all night from 8 December into the morning of 9 December and had been heavily drinking and taking cocaine.
'Placed in a chokehold'
Ms Hand, a mother-of-one, told the court how McGregor had pinned her to a bed before assaulting her.
She was left with extensive bruises and abrasions over her body, including on her hands and wrists.
There was a bloodied scratch on her breast and tenderness on her neck after she said she was placed in a "chokehold" by McGregor.
He denied causing the bruising, saying it could have happened after she "swan dived" into the bath in the hotel room.
Ms Hand was taken in an ambulance to the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin the next day where she was assessed in the sexual assault treatment unit.
A paramedic who examined Ms Hand told the court that she had not seen "someone so bruised" in a long time.
The jury had been told how Ms Hand had to leave her job as a hairdresser and has not been able to work since due to her mental health, that her relationship with her partner ended months after the incident, that she had to move out of her home in Drimnagh and that her mortgage was now in arrears.
She also said she had to stop seeing a counsellor because she could no longer afford to pay for the sessions.
The court heard that she had spent more than €4,000 (£3,326) on GP, pharmacy and psychotherapy costs.
Sorce:bbc.com
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyrxl00151o
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After Hezbollah rocket kills Muslim woman, Arab town is hit with explosion of racism
By DIANA BLETTER
22 November 2024,
SHFAR’AM, Northern Israel — Three members of Tag Meir, a volunteer organization that tries to battle racism, told two sisters of SafaaAwad, 41, who was killed by a Hezbollah rocket fired from Lebanon into northern Israel on Monday, that they were sorry for the racist comments that some Israeli Jews posted on social media following her death.
“We are so ashamed because those are not Jewish voices,” said Yossi Saidov, who had traveled from Jerusalem with AvnerReshef and Charlie Alexander to pay their condolences to Awad’s family and express their apologies. “We’ve come to tell you that we understand your loss and that we are with you.”
NajlaaAwad thanked the men and said she was “disturbed and shocked” by the negative comments she saw.
“Just because my sister had a head covering didn’t make her a terrorist,” Najlaa said.
Awad, 41, and mother of four, was an elementary school teacher who had been in a protected room in her family’s apartment on the third floor of a three-story building when Hezbollah fired five projectiles at the Galilee.
Rambam Hospital in Haifa said a total of 56 victims were brought for treatment, mostly for acute anxiety. There are four women still being treated at the hospital in light to moderate condition.
The Israel Defense Forces said interceptor missiles were launched to counter the attack and were investigating the impact.
Najlaa told the visitors from Tag Meir that the sisters grew up in a “liberal” family. They listened as Najlaa described how some of her nephews serve in the IDF.
According to the Tag Meir website, the organization pays condolence calls to victims of terror, repaints racist graffiti, and holds meetings with politicians to decrease inflammatory rhetoric.
“Others serve in the border police. I volunteered in a police program for youth for many years,” Najlaa continued. “My sister was killed by a rocket, and then we have to suffer more pain because of the hateful comments.”
After the attack on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel, killed 1,200 people, and kidnapped 251 others into Gaza, Najlaa said, “It pained us because we’re Israeli residents. ”
Then she paused and said, “We’re sick of hearing the bad. Every good word helps.”
A series of tragic loss
On October 31, Hezbollah rockets killed Mina Hasson, 60, and her son Karmi Hasson, 21, Shfar’am residents who were picking olives in a grove near the town.
For months since October 8, 2023, Hezbollah-led forces attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border on a near-daily basis, with the group saying it is doing so to support Gaza amid the war there.
Hezbollah has since expanded its attacks to also target cities in central and northern Israel with rockets and drones.
Some 60,000 residents were evacuated from northern towns on the Lebanon border shortly after Hamas’s October 7 onslaught, amid fears Hezbollah would carry out a similar attack, and increasing rocket fire by the terror group.
The attacks on northern Israel since October 2023 have resulted in the deaths of 45 civilians. In addition, 71 IDF soldiers and reservists have died in cross-border skirmishes and in the ensuing ground operation launched in southern Lebanon in late September.
Town of three faiths
Shfar’am, a sprawling town set on seven hills in the Galilee, is a mixed Arab community of some 43,000 residents. There are Muslims, Christians, and Druze, a blend of modernity and tradition, with some women in fashionable Western clothes, sporting tattoos and Converse sneakers, and others in hejabs, gabiyas and traditional white Druze veils. The streets are crowded with stores, their names in Arabic, Hebrew and English.
“We’re a town of three faiths,” said RaafSiddiq, head of Shfar’am’s educational system. “We are a model of co-existence. People here are in hi-tech in Haifa, they work among Jews.”
He said, however, that the “racist ideology of [National Security Ministry Itamar] Ben Gvir has trickled down to other people.”
He said that he and other town residents felt they experienced two explosions: first, the rocket, and then “an explosion of racism. Racism at the time of our greatest pain. It’s very difficult to deal with racism on top of the war. We feel like we’re caught in the middle.”
Siddiq said that he teaches his children that “we don’t always have to agree, but we have to respect each other.”
After the attack on Monday, he said that no government ministers called. But since then, the town has had visits from Education Minister YoavKisch, Diaspora Affairs Minister AmichaiChikli, and Knesset Member Benny Gantz. All three met with Shfar’am officials and paid condolence calls to the family.
“Even on hard days, we have to see the connections,” Siddiq said.
ShouroukNaffa, the Deputy Director of Shfar’am’s urban services department said that since the rocket explosion, the city hall has been helping people whose houses were damaged in the rocket attack find temporary housing. On Thursday morning, Naffa’s office staff was busy answering telephone calls from people who wanted to speak to a social worker or a psychologist.
Naffa said the war finally has hit her and other town residents on a personal level.
“We never really felt the war until now,” she said. “I always watch the news about the war on TV but I never thought I’d see the same images with my own eyes.”
Naffa said that when her daughters ask why there’s a war, she tries to explain that “two different countries want the same land.”
“I try not to talk politics with my children,” she said. “We work with Jews; we have Jewish friends. It’s hard.”
The Alfoar elementary school where Awad taught for 26 years is closed due to the security situation. Since Awad’s burial, relatives have gathered in one of the school’s empty classrooms where people come to pay their respects.
Visitors remarked that Awad was generous and warm, a woman who “always had a smile on her face.”
“We have to have a new set of priorities,” said Ola Anabtawi, the school principal. “We have to talk more. Make more connections. We don’t know when we’ll lose the people we love.”
Awad’s sisters spoke quietly to the visitors from Tag Meir.
“Everyone is born in God’s image,” Saidov told the sisters. “We wanted to come here to tell you that you’re not alone.”
Sorce:timesofisrael.com
https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-hezbollah-rocket-kills-muslim-woman-arab-town-is-hit-with-explosion-of-racism/
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Rawalpindi court issues non-bailable arrest warrant for Bushra Bibi in £190m case
Tahir Naseer
November 22, 2024
A Rawalpindi accountability court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant on Friday for former first lady Bushra Bibi over her continuous absence in court hearings in the £190 million graft case.
In December last year, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed a corruption reference against PTI founder Imran Khan and seven others, including his wife, in connection with the Al-Qadir University.
The case alleges that Imran and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of kanals from Bahria Town Ltd for legalising Rs50 billion that was identified and returned to the country by the UK during the previous PTI government.
The couple were indicted in the case in February. On November 15, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had issued a detailed order on the duo’s appeals seeking acquittal in the corruption reference and remanded the case back to the accountability court with a directive to decide it.
The accountability court had dismissed the acquittal petitions earlier this year, which was then challenged by Imran’s legal team before the IHC. The high court initially restrained the accountability court from passing a judgement, however, the stay order stood vacated with the detailed order.
Accountability Judge Nasir Javed Rana presided over the hearing today at Adiala Jail. Bushra Bibi did not attend the hearing, having requested an exemption on medical grounds.
The hearing was adjourned to November 26 while the judge issued her non-bailable arrest warrant over continued non-attendance.
The warrant, addressed to NAB Deputy Director Mian Umar Nadeem, said she was “deliberately not appearing in before the court” and thus the watchdog was required and authorised to arrest and produce her before the court on the next hearing.
She was released from Adiala Jail on October 24, a day after being granted bail in a new Toshakhana case against her and Imran, ending nearly nine months of her detention.
The former first lady was taken into custody on January 31 after an Islamabad accountability court sentenced her and Imran to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana reference.
The Peshawar High Court on Tuesday extended her protective bail till December 23 and directed law enforcement agencies not to arrest her till then in any of the cases.
Separately, Imran’s release order was issued today in the new Toshakhana case after he was granted bail by the IHC on Wednesday, according to his lawyer Khalid YousafChaudry. The release order directed that Imran be released if he was not wanted in any other case.
He said the release order was also deposited with the Adiala Jail administration.
However, the PTI founder was not released from Adiala Jail as he still needs to secure bail in nearly two dozen other cases. He was also arrested late on Wednesday night by Rawalpindi police on terrorism charges related to a September protest.
CM Gandapur declared proclaimed absconder
Meanwhile, it emerged today that Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra declared Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur a proclaimed absconder a day ago in a case registered at I-9 police station.
The order, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, was issued on Thursday.
“Ali Amin Gandapur has concealed himself deliberately in order to avoid his arrest,” the order read. “Therefore, accused Ali Amin Gandapur is hereby declared as proclaimed offender.”
Sorce:dawn.com
https://www.dawn.com/news/1874105/rawalpindi-court-issues-non-bailable-arrest-warrant-for-bushra-bibi-in-ps190m-case
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Both Muslim, Hindu Women Benefited From LadkiBahin: Shaina NC On Election Results
November 23, 2024
Shaina NC is leading in the Mumbadevi seat. She congratulates chief minister EknathShinde's approach with the LadkiBahin scheme, and the organisational strength of Mahayuti alliance.
The Mahayuti is en route to a record win in the Maharashtra Assembly election, in which no alliance has ever crossed the magic 200-seat mark.
The ruling alliance - led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party factions led by EknathShinde and AjitPawar - was ahead in 223 of the state's 288 seats at noon, and The MahaVikasAghadi - fronted the Congress and the Sena and NCP groups led by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar - is ahead in just 55. Non-aligned parties are leading in 10.
Within the Mahayuti, it is the BJP that is ahead; the saffron party is leading in 126 of the 149 seats it is contesting. The ShindeSena is ahead in 56 of the 81 it is contesting and AjitPawar's NCP 38 of 59.
Sorce:ndtv.com
https://www.ndtv.com/video/maharashtra-election-results-both-muslim-hindu-women-benefited-from-ladki-bahin-shaina-nc-864356
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/awards-julia-parsi-nila-ebrahimi-afghanistan/d/133800