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Islam, Women and Feminism ( 25 Jan 2023, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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Iran Athlete, Kosar Khoshnoudikia, Says ‘No Regrets’ After Losing Eye At Protest

New Age Islam News Bureau

25 January 2023

• Amazon Criticized For Selling Chadari or Afghani Burqa on Social Media

• Saudi Arabia Ahead Of UK In Women's Health Index, Leads Arab World

• First Boxing Club Opens Doors To Women In Gaza

• First Emirates-Based Cycling Team To Participate In Inaugural Women’s UAE Tour 2023

• Fatma al-Nuaimi Recognised As Inspiring Female Leader By World Economic Forum In Davos

• Saudi Arabia Ahead Of UK On Women’s Health Index

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:   https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iran-athlete-kosar-mahsa/d/128965

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 Iran Athlete, Kosar Khoshnoudikia, Says ‘No Regrets’ After Losing Eye At Protest

Two young women who lost an eye during Iran protests. Ghazal Ranjkesh (L) and Elahe Tavakolian

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24 January ,2023

An Iranian archer who had lost sight in her left eye after being shot by security forces has said she has “no regrets” for joining nationwide protests.

Iranian authorities have cracked down on more than four months of anti-regime protests sparked by the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, arrested for allegedly violating strict dress rules for women.

Kosar Khoshnoudikia, a member of Iran’s national archery team, had been shot at a rally last year in her hometown of Kermanshah, in the Kurdish-populated west, said the Norway-based rights group Hengaw.

“I have felt no regrets for being there on that day, at that time,” Khoshnoudikia said in a video posted Monday by London-based Iran International TV.

Appearing without a headscarf and with her left eye concealed by a patch, Khoshnoudikia said in the video she had been shot in early December while attending a march in Kermanshah with her father.

“Three shots hit my right hand and one shot hit my left eye,” she said, adding her father had also been shot in the hand.

Amnesty International and other rights groups have accused Iranian security forces of partially or completely blinding multiple protesters, firing live ammunition and metal pellets at close range.

Khoshnoudikia, who won silver in the compound bow women’s team event at the 2021 Asian Archery Championships, did not say whether she believed she could resume her sporting career.

Despite multiple operations, she has permanently lost the sight in her left eye, according to Hengaw.

“I am never sad about what happened,” she said. “I lost some things, but I gained a lot.”

It was not immediately clear where Khoshnoudikia was speaking from.

At least 481 people have been killed in the authorities’ crackdown on the protest movement, according to Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights.

Khoshnoudikia said she had lost sight in one eye “for a purpose. I have never felt sad for myself and for what happened.”

Source: Al Arabiya

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/01/24/Iran-athlete-says-no-regrets-after-losing-eye-at-protest

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Amazon Criticized For Selling Chadari or Afghani Burqa on Social Media

Photo: MENA FN

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By Khaama Press

January 25, 2023

Social media users have been criticizing Amazon, one of the largest online shopping platforms for selling Afghani Burqa, a compulsory dressing for Afghanistan women.

Chadari or Afghani burqa has now been put for sell online on Amazon with an average price of $99.00. It is a head-to-toe garment with a fence-style opening for the eyes only.

The online promotional message on Amazon reads as ‘EVERY LADY MUST HAVE All covering, even the eyes’.

The reactions of the social media users have been mix of questioning of it was genuine or whether it is to be sold for the Western buyers as there is no Amazon in Afghanistan.

Lynne O’Donnel, a journalist writing for the Foreign Policy has tagged Jeff Bezos, the owner of Amazon asking him if he was really making money out of selling Chadari.

@JeffBezos — You’re really making money from the forced sequestering of women in #Afghanistan?, Lynne tweeted.

The social media posts history indicates that the product has been on Amazon for months now, but it has been just recently came to the attention of journalists and social media activists.

This comes as the de facto government of Afghanistan under Taliban announced compulsory Hijab for Afghan women to be implemented throughout the country with no exception. The order was imposted and monitored by the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice of Afghanistan.

The Taliban has also banned girls from going to school and universities justifying it agains the Islamic Sharia.

In a recent decree by the Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, women are not allowed to work for the governmental, non-governmental and education centers until the future notice.

Taliban’s decision received many global reactions, pressurizing them to reverse it, but the Taliban leaders have said no to the international community and human rights organizations.

Source: Khaama Press

https://www.khaama.com/amazon-under-criticize-for-selling-afghani-burqa-23476/

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Saudi Arabia ahead of UK in women's health index, leads Arab world

Salim A. Essaid

January 24, 2023

Saudi Arabia ranked as the top Arab country for women’s health, according to the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index’s 2021 report released on Tuesday by the medical technology company, surpassing countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Israel held the ninth spot in the Middle East, while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates made the top 40 at 28th and 35th, respectively. The UK ranked two positions behind Saudi Arabia at 30th.

Lebanon and Turkey held some of the lowest scores, making the bottom 10 of the 122-member list at 118th and 119th, respectively.

Arabic, English, Hindi and Urdu were used in the phone calls to interview nationals along with Arab and non-Arab expats in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain — Gulf countries that have high populations of foreign residents.

Yet not all questions were equal in the global survey, as inquiries about sexually transmitted diseases and infections were omitted from Saudi Arabia and Iran in respect of government restrictions.

The 2021 index, which collected its data in 2020, did not include Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Libya, Syria, Sudan, South Sudan or the Palestinian territories (the West Bank and Gaza).

The purpose of the index, which conducted questionnaire phone surveys with about a thousand people from each of the 122 countries listed, is to identify critical gaps in what the world understands about the health and well-being of women and girls globally, to eventually find solutions.

The Hologic and Gallup researchers did so using five parameters that it believes measure 80% of the variance in women’s life expectancy at birth. They include preventive care, emotional health, opinions of health and safety, basic needs and individual health.

Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey were classified at the bottom five as three of the worst globally for emotional health, ranking in order at 119th, 120th and 121st, with Afghanistan holding the final 122nd spot.

The global findings revealed that women's and girls’ health has become progressively worse since last year’s index, with the report stating that while 2020 provided a “sobering account,” this year’s index would “sound an alarm.”

Between 2020 and 2021, the report found that the gap between women in high-income and low-income countries nearly doubled, with no signs of improvement.

Source: Al Monitor

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/01/saudi-arabia-ahead-uk-womens-health-index-leads-arab-world

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First Boxing Club opens doors to women in Gaza

January 24, 2023

GAZA: In Gaza’s only boxing club for girls, 15-year-old Farah Abu Al-Qomsan is practicing her moves, trading jabs and punches with the other girls training with coach Osama Ayoub at the Palestine Boxing Center.

Since taking to the sport at the age of nine, Farah has found a release from the daily stresses of life in Gaza, a narrow coastal strip where some 2.3 million Palestinians live blockaded by both Israel and neighboring Egypt.

“We used to train in a small garage. Now we train according to the full rules and release bad energy,” the 15-year-old girl, at the territory’s first women-only boxing center.

Six years ago, Ayoub, started with two girls. As more joined, they moved out of the garage and began training on the beach or in rented spaces before moving into the new club building.

“The girls are ready. I trained them hard for five years,” said Ayoub. “We are setting an example.”

Now around 40 girls train in the center with its full-size boxing ring, training equipment and posters of boxing heroes such as Mike Tyson on the walls, defying expectations in a region where boxing has traditionally been a sport for men.

“Some people used to tell me ‘Why boxing, what are you going to benefit from it, go and learn something girly’,” Farah said. “I benefit a lot from boxing and today my ambition is to represent my Palestinian people and take part in world championships.”

Source: Arab News

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2238156/sport

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First Emirates-based cycling team to participate in inaugural Women’s UAE Tour 2023

January 25, 2023

ABU DHABI: UAE Team ADQ, the nation’s first professional women’s cycling team will participate alongside 20 international teams in the first Women’s UAE Tour.

The inaugural tour will take place from Feb. 9-12, ahead of the fifth edition of the Men’s UAE Tour, which will take place from Feb. 20-26.

“We are thrilled to be part of the first Women’s UAE Tour next month,” Melissa Moncada, head of UAE Team ADQ, said. “It is an inspirational race for many reasons; the first of its kind in the UAE and the region. Additionally, it is a unique opportunity for women in the UAE to support the female team representing our nation and see them competing in a World Tour standard race on our home soil.”

The tour’s total distance is 468 kilometers and comprises four stages. Stage 1 is from Port Rashid to Dubai Harbor (109 km), Stage 2 from Al-Dhafra Castle to Al-Mirfa (133 km), Stage 3 from Hazza bin Zayed Stadium to Jebel Hafeet (107 km), and Stage 4 from Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy to Abu Dhabi Breakwater (119 km). Reflecting the UAE flag colors, UAE Team ADQ riders will be wearing the new official jerseys.

“Our main goal is to make cycling accessible, inclusive and achievable for all,” Moncada added. “We are excited and proud to be part of this new key milestone in our young history. We are confident that this key event will shape and shake the women’s cycling ecosystem in the UAE, and consequently inspire more young women in the UAE and the Middle East region to join the cycling movement.”

The team has also launched its UAE-centric platform named Women Moving Forward by UAE Team ADQ, an initiative in which its trainers and experts work with governmental, corporate and other stakeholders, to provide professional cycling capacity building for women at all levels, through a variety of professional workshops, events and team coaching.

“Our mission, as a professional team, is not only limited to achieving the best results at international cycling events, but also includes nurturing a passion for cycling and sports among women in the UAE,” said Moncada.

“We have launched Women Moving Forward by UAE Team ADQ to grow this collaborative journey. Through this platform, we are providing women with innovative and professional sports tools that empower them to reach their full potential, starting with sport.”

UAE Team ADQ organized its training camp, ahead of the 2023 UCI World Tour, last December in Tuscany, Italy.

Seventeen riders from nine nations will represent UAE Team ADQ during the new season. This includes Safiya Alsayegh (UAE), Alena Amialiusik (Belarus), Olivia Baril (Canada), Marta Bastianelli (Italy), Sofia Bertizzolo (Italy), Eugenia Bujak (Slovenia), Chiara Consonni (Italy), Eleonora Gasparrini (Italy), Mikayla Harvey (New Zealand), Elizabeth Holden (Great Britain), Alena Ivanchenko (Russia), Karolina Kumiega (Poland), Erica Magnaldi (Italy), Silvia Persico (Italy), Laura Tomasi (Italy), and Anna Trevisi (Italy).

Source: Arab News

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2238611/sport

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Fatma al-Nuaimi Recognised As Inspiring Female Leader By World Economic Forum In Davos

JANUARY 24, 2023

The crucial role women played in helping Qatar deliver the FIFA World Cup was highlighted during an event held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Fatma al-Nuaimi, Executive Director, Communications & Media at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), spoke during a panel session organised by the World Women Foundation (WWF) and received a World Woman Hero Award for her contribution to the tournament.

The panel explored the legacy of Qatar 2022 and the role played by women during the historic event, which concluded with Argentina lifting the trophy at Lusail Stadium on December 18 last year.

During the panel, al-Nuaimi said Qatar 2022 had provided a platform for women to flourish in a range of roles, with the tournament stimulating human, social, economic and environmental development across the country and the wider Middle East and Arab world, the SC said in a report.

“In Qatar, there has been huge progress in the development of women in sport – from a playing, organising and administration point of view. We invest heavily in education, which provides a platform for equal opportunities and long-term development,” said al-Nuaimi, who spent more than a decade working on Qatar 2022. “At the SC, we are proud of the number of women in our organisation, including those holding senior positions and demonstrating real leadership.”

The panel was moderated by Dr Carolyn Kissane, academic director of Global Affairs at New York University. Joining al-Nuaimi on the panel were Al Jazeera journalist Ghada Owais; Ghosson al-Khaled, former deputy CEO of ACICO Industries; and Malak al-Akiely, co-founder of Golden Kayan for Oil & Energy.

When discussing the tournament’s legacy, al-Nuaimi highlighted the impact of the Generation Amazing Foundation – a football for development programme that has positively benefited more than 1mn people globally, including young girls and women in 35 countries.

“Generation Amazing is having a major impact on the region and globally. It is providing safe spaces for young people to learn key life skills through football, such as teamwork, leadership and equality. Young girls and women are central to the programme – which demonstrates our commitment to gender equality and delivering a World Cup with significant impact for women in the region.”

Following the panel session, al-Nuaimi was presented with an award for leadership from Rupa Dash, CEO and founder of the World Women Foundation, a non-profit organisation that promotes gender equality.

Al-Nuaimi said, “I’m humbled to receive this award. It means a lot to be in a room with so many inspirational women and collect an award for what we achieved because of the World Cup.”

Dash added, “Fatma is a true inspiration to females in the region and all over the world. Her contribution to such a successful tournament deserved recognition and we were proud to have her play such a key role in our first Davos event.”

Source: Gulf Times

https://www.gulf-times.com/article/654020/qatar/scs-fatma-al-nuaimi-recognised-as-inspiring-female-leader-by-wwf

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Saudi Arabia ahead of UK on women’s health index

24 January ,2023

Women’s health care in the UK is worsening and has sunk to a level on par with Kazakhstan, a new survey shows.

The UK ranked 30th out of 122 countries in the latest Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, falling behind China and Saudi Arabia. Hologic Inc. and partner Gallup interviewed women to rate multiple measures from mental health to preventive care.

The report strikes a chord in the UK, where the cash-strapped National Health Service is battling staff shortages and massive backlogs, raising concern about the quality of health care and its funding. Ambulance workers held their biggest strike on Monday, while junior doctors last week voted for industrial action.

The US ranked 23rd in the report, behind Germany, New Zealand and Singapore but ahead of France. Taiwan and Latvia scored the highest and Afghanistan the lowest. The survey showed a decline in women’s ability to meet their basic needs as well as record levels of stress, worry and anger.

“Women’s health has taken a back seat to nearly everything else going on in the world,” said Stephen MacMillan, chairman of Hologic, a US maker of medical devices and diagnostic products.

The UK dropped three points in the latest index, ranking on par with Poland, Slovenia and Kosovo besides Kazakhstan. It was among the fastest-declining countries for emotional health.

The US meantime remained an exception because higher health spending didn’t translate into better outcomes, the report said.

The 2021 findings are based on interviews with almost 127,000 women and men, with questions encompassing preventive care, emotional health, opinions of health and safety, and basic needs. The higher the score, the more women reported positive experiences.

Source: Al Arabiya

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/01/24/Saudi-Arabia-ahead-of-UK-on-women-s-health-index

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URL:   https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iran-athlete-kosar-mahsa/d/128965

 

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