Iran Forces Female Students to Attend Sessions on Wearing Hijab
New Age Islam News Bureau
01 March 2023
• Saudi Women’s Labour Market Participation Surges To
35% in 5 Years, UN Told
• Muslim Women in Sport: 'Slow Progress' On Removing Barriers Says
Muslimah Sports Association
• Book, Rising Beyond the Ceiling, On Inspiring Tales
of Muslim Women from Karnataka Out
• Fauzia Viqar Named Ombudsperson on Women’s
Harassment in Pakistan
• India Fashion Forum 2023: UK-Based Raishma Islam
Highlights Challenges for Women in Business
• Fatima Bint Mubarak, a Global Icon in Promoting
Female Empowerment and Gender Equality: Queen Azizah of Malaysia
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iran-forces-female-hijab/d/129225
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Iran Forces Female Students to Attend Sessions On
Wearing Hijab
Female students attend a
National Student Day ceremony at Tehran University in Iran, Dec. 7, 2022.
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February 27, 2023
An Iranian academic group says dozens of female
students have been forced to participate in "mandatory counseling
sessions" for failing to "properly" observe the country's
mandatory hijab law.
Anger over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on
September 16 while in police custody for allegedly wearing a head scarf
improperly has prompted thousands of Iranians to take to the streets to demand
more freedoms and women's rights.
Numerous protests have been held at universities,
particularly in Tehran, where many students have refused to attend class.
Protesting students have chanted "Woman, life, freedom" and
"Death to the dictator" at the rallies. Some female students have
removed and burned their head scarves.
The Union Council of Iranian Students said that in a
summons sent by Shiraz University to the students, "removing the hijab and
not having proper student clothing" was mentioned as “violations" and
they were asked to contact the university authorities for mandatory
consultation.
The council also reported that similar action was
taken at other universities in the country. These included Tehran's Soore
University, which sent a text message to a group of female students inviting
them to participate in a "mandatory cultural camp."
It added that the summonses were "an offensive
action aimed at suppressing and labeling students" and "reprehensible
and unjustifiable."
In recent weeks, there have been several reports of
university professors being fired or suspended for accompanying protesting
students.
In most of the protests, students have asked
professors to support them, and some university professors and lecturers have
expressed solidarity with the protesters.
Universities and students have long been at the
forefront of the struggle for greater social and political freedoms in Iran. In
1999, students protested the closure of a reformist daily, prompting a brutal
raid on the dorms of Tehran University that left one student dead.
Over the years, the authorities have arrested student
activists and leaders, sentencing them to prison and banning them from
studying.
The activist HRANA news agency said that, as of
January 26, at least 700 university students had been arrested during the
recent unrest.
Many have faced sentences such as imprisonment and
flogging and dozens of students have been expelled from universities or
suspended from their studies, as security forces try to stifle widespread
dissent.
Source: RFERL
https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-forces-women-students-hijab-sessions/32290223.html
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Saudi Women’s Labour Market Participation Surges To
35% in 5 Years, UN Told
Saudi Human Rights
Commission President Hala Al-Tuwaijri (@UN_HRC)
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February 28, 2023
RIYADH: The share of women employed in Saudi Arabia jumped
from 21 percent to 35 percent in five years on the back of the Kingdom’s
efforts to boost participation in the labor market.
The figures were revealed by Saudi Human Rights
Commission President Hala Al-Tuwaijri at the 52nd session of the UN’s Human Rights
Council.
Al-Tuwaijri also underlined the impressive progress
made by the Kingdom in the empowerment of women while moving towards their
strategic goals of Vision 2030, citing the Gender Balance Centre in Riyadh
which was established in 2021 to increase participation levels in the labor
market.
The successes are “based on the directives of
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime
Minister Mohammed bin Salman to take care of people and give them priority,”
said Al-Tuwaijri.
“As a result of these efforts, the share of women in
the labor market increased from 21.2 percent to 34.7 percent and the rate of
their economic participation jumped from 17 percent to 37 percent during the
period between 2017 and 2022,” said Al-Tuwaijri.
She added “the percentage of women’s representation in
the higher and middle administrative positions increased from 28.6 percent to
39 percent during the 2017-2021 period.”
Saudi Arabia also witnessed a significant drop in its
unemployment rate, going from 11.6 percent to 5.8 percent during the last five
years.
In addition, a national policy was issued to manage
discrimination through promoting equal opportunities and treatment in the labor
market.
“We in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are witnessing
historical transformations in terms of many reforms and developments in various
fields of human rights, which have had a great impact on development and the
quality of life,” she pointed out.
In this context of providing aid to the
earthquake-affected people of Syria and Turkey, King Salman has developed an
air bridge to deliver vital resources to the affected countries.
He also organized a widespread campaign to support the
victims, with over $160 million currently collected.
“Based on the Kingdom’s firm values, its pioneering
role, its endeavor to establish international peace and security, and the
promotion of human rights, it spared no effort in supporting humanitarian issues,
including the Kingdom's willingness to mediate in resolving the
Russian-Ukrainian crisis,” stated Al-Tuwaijri.
Source: Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2259516/business-economy
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Muslim Women in Sport:
'Slow Progress' On Removing Barriers Says Muslimah Sports Association
By Srosh Khan
28 February 2023
There has been "slow progress" in breaking
down the "barriers and challenges" for Muslim women taking part in
sport, says a new report.
The report published by England's largest Muslim
women's sports charity, Muslimah Sports Association (MSA), found 97% of British
Muslim women surveyed wanted to increase their current participation in sports
- yet 37% are not involved in any sports or activities.
The research was carried out to identify the demand
across the country for Muslim female participation in sport, and to explore the
under-representation of Muslim women in sports and to what barriers they are
facing.
The report says sport participation can help to break
down stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslim women.
Yashmin Harun, chair and founder of MSA, said:
"The impact of the pandemic and successive lockdowns was clear. It was
evident physical activity levels and the general wellbeing of women from
diverse backgrounds had suffered.
"The research demonstrates that progress has been
slow. The barriers and challenges Muslim females face are still very much the
same from reports conducted 15 years ago.
"Quite often Muslim women are left on the fringes
of conversations when we talk about sports for all. The research identifies
there is a huge demand for Muslim women wanting to be more active but
accessibility and opportunities are rare and safe spaces are not provided."
The Muslim Women in Sport report found:
While 80% participate in sports activities 'casually',
that falls to 9% at a 'competitive' level.
43% of Muslim women do not think current sports
facilities are appropriate to them.
33% say previous experiences have negatively impacted
their participation in sport.
The report says areas which prevent participation
include: religious/cultural barriers, the lack of women-only spaces or
facilities, the lack of modest sports attire and the potential of encountering
any discrimination, which could explain why there are high levels of interest
but low levels of activity in taking part in sports.
The research also found that the lack of women-only
spaces was a predominant barrier that was preventing women - 65% surveyed said
"no" when asked if they were aware of any women's-only events, while
80% said they would be likely to attend women's only sports sessions if they
were available.
One woman who took part in the report said:
"Coming to a women's-only swimming session and being told there were male
lifeguards - that defeats the whole purpose."
The report said: "It is important to recognise
that Muslim women are not a homogeneous group and come from diverse ethnic and
cultural backgrounds. They have different interpretations of their religious
beliefs, and it is up to each individual to determine how they balance their
religious and cultural values with their desire to participate in sport."
Under 'next steps', the report suggests: "Women
only sessions is a predominant and recurring theme in our findings but is not a
solution in of itself; as highlighted by some of the quotes around male
lifeguards at women-only swimming sessions.
"There is much nuance to unpicking what a
'comfortable environment' means to Muslim women and scope to create some
principles around this to develop a greater understanding of this for the
sector as a whole."
The report found British Muslim women are also most
interested to learn or participate in swimming, which was also the sport that
brought the most challenges with women not being able to find "comfortable
environments" to participate in.
"For Muslim women to be able to fully participate
in sport we need to create environments in which their ambitions for physical
and sporting activities are not in conflict with their religious commitment to
modest dress and behaviour," says Ibtisam Belola, a Trustee of MSA.
MSA hopes the report will help the sector to engage
more Muslim females to get active. It also hopes it will prompt open
discussions on how to address unconscious bias and misconceptions against
Muslim women.
Source: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/sport/64796465
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Book, Rising Beyond The Ceiling, On Inspiring Tales Of
Muslim Women From Karnataka Out
01st March 2023
BENGALURU: Recently, Rising Beyond the Ceiling
launched their hardcover edition of Rising Beyond The Ceiling Karnataka
publication, after releasing an e-book version of the same in November 2022.
With 100 stereotype-shattering stories of inspiring Muslim women from
Karnataka, the book is authored by Dr Farah Usmani and co-authored by Dr Zoya
Fatehally and Aiman Ansari. Former Governor of Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and
Uttarakhand, Margaret Alva was the chief guest while director Saad Khan hosted
the evening’s launch party.
“Rising Beyond The Ceiling was born out of the need to
change the stereotypical narrative about Muslim women in India,” said Fatehally.
“The need to change the narrative behind the stereotype about Indian Muslim
women not contributing to the nation much and how Muslim women are known for
getting married and having a lot of kids
and not working was one of the inspirations that drew to author such a book,”
said Aiman Ansari, the co-author.
Source: New Indian Express
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Fauzia Viqar Named Ombudsperson on Women’s Harassment
in Pakistan
March 1, 2023
ISLAMABAD: Fauzia Viqar, a human rights activist, was
sworn in as the new Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment at
Workplace by President Dr. Arif Alvi on Wednesday at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The ceremony was attended by senior government
officials.
Viqar was appointed by the president on Tuesday
following the completion of the tenure of her predecessor Kashmala Tariq.
Although Tariq’s fixed four-year term as ombudsperson,
which began on February 19, 2018 ended on February 18, 2022, she continued to
hold office even after her tenure had expired.
Viqar’s appointment was made in accordance with
Sections 3 and 21 of the Federal Ombudsman Institutional Reforms of 2013.
The agency is an autonomous quasi-judicial statutory
body responsible for protecting workers against harassment in the workplace. It
is dedicated to creating a safe working environment that is free from
harassment, abuse, intimidation, and discrimination.
The organisation aims to promote workers’ right to
work with dignity and productivity by providing a comfortable workplace
environment.
Source: Pakistan Today
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2023/03/01/fauzia-viqar-named-ombudsperson-on-womens-harassment/
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India Fashion Forum 2023: UK-based Raishma Islam
highlights challenges for women in business
Pratiksha Thayil
February 28, 2023
Despite holding close to a quarter of all leadership
roles globally, women entrepreneurs and founders have made a significant
contribution to business growth, not just in India but also abroad.
Organizations led by women play an important role in generating employment
opportunities in the country and are also promoting sustainable development.
Raishma Islam, designer and the owner of fashion label Raishma is one such
entrepreneur making an appearance at the India Fashion Forum 2023.
Raishma believes that being a woman entrepreneur can
be intimidating when dealing with dominant men who are not willing to give way
to your ideas. This is something that resonates with many women entrepreneurs
across the globe that have come out and spoken for the much-needed push against
the gender gap in businesses. Sharing her personal experiences about dealing
with a board that included men Raishma added that, "Initially it was very
intimidating, but I was different then and not as confident as I am
today."
In contrast to those men, Raishma says she had very
supporting business partners, "Who supported me throughout my
journey." This made a lot of difference for her especially when one
frequently comes across men that are not comfortable with women taking the
lead.
Being a woman entrepreneur anywhere in the world is
difficult. Despite modern times, we still have men who are hesitant to let a
woman take the lead or even invest in a company that is being led by a woman.
Raishma, like many other women entrepreneurs, faced numerous challenges while
raising funds. "It is very difficult to fight the patriarchy in society
especially if as a woman entrepreneur you have to raise money. It is not just
about starting your own business, it is about sustaining it in the long run,
which can be very difficult for women," she said.
But, governments across the globe is realizing that
there is a need to push women entrepreneurs. According to Raishma, this is
because the success of entrepreneurs will boost the economy, irrespective of
their gender. Even India is offering numerous schemes and initiatives for women
entrepreneurs to activate partnerships among diverse stakeholders in the start
up economy.
She also said that women today at any age can start
their own business, “I am 50 and I am proud of being 50 and age is no more a
number that can limit a woman from starting her own business.”
Raishma to enter India
Raishma who has been expanding her business is looking
for a business partner here in India and plans to reach across cities in the
next three years said that with the right partner she will not only be able to
design and sell more affordable fusion dresses. “Currently if you convert the
cost of my dresses to Indian currency you will be able to get dresses in the
range of 6,000 to 9,000 and at the same time get evening gowns in the range of
20,000 to 25,000. Which is not on a very expensive scale.
Fusion design
Talking about her design Raishma said, “I started
designing fusion before it even hit India.” Being a designer with 25 years of
experience she has designed from sari’s to dresses and believes that sometimes
the designers are more focused on showcasing the designs but not wondering how
their customers will be able to wear it to a party. “My designs are different,
I design my dresses with the focus that my customers should be able to wear the
dress and feel beautiful about it.”
Raishma was only 10 years old when she decided that
she wanted to be a designer. Through the beginning of her journey she always
designed fusion dresses. They began with wedding and evening gowns and in 2020
when they realized that their evening gowns weren’t needed they decided to launch
day dresses that cost below 100 pounds. Her brand issues sizes from 6 to 24 and
is not bound by size or age. She had always dreamed of opening her own store
and she achieved it when she opened up her first own store at the age of 25.
Source: Free Press Journal
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Fatima Bint Mubarak, a Global Icon in Promoting Female
Empowerment and Gender Equality: Queen Azizah of Malaysia
28-02-2023
ABU DHABI, 28th February, 2023 (WAM) – Queen Tunku
Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah of Malaysia visited the headquarters of the
General Women's Union (GWU) in Abu Dhabi during the ongoing Malaysian
delegation's working visit to the UAE. The Queen and the GWU discussed ways to
enhance cooperation and coordination between the UAE and Malaysia in supporting
and empowering women, which can lead to further achievements by women in all
sectors.
Queen Azizah praised the generosity of H.H. Sheikha
Fatima bint Mubarak in supporting women not only in the UAE but also globally,
making her a symbol of promoting female empowerment and gender equality. She
also commended the GWU for its active role in empowering Emirati women and
expressed her desire to enhance cooperation with the UAE in all areas related
to women.
During the visit, Queen Azizah reviewed the progress
made through the Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative for Women, Peace and Security.
The first cohort was launched in January 2019, with 134 Arab women from seven
countries participating. The initiative's success led to the UAE and UN Women
expanding the scope of participation, with the second cohort training 223 women
from 11 African, Asian, and Arab countries in January 2020. The third batch
included 159 participating cadets from 15 Arab and African countries.
The visit also included talks on various global issues
related to women. Queen Azizah was received by Noura Al Suwaidi,
Secretary-General of the GWU, and Reem Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of
the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, who expressed their pride in
the strong relations between the two countries and their leadership's support
for female empowerment.
Source: WAM
https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395303133990
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