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Islam, Women and Feminism ( 1 March 2023, NewAgeIslam.Com)

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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

https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2023/mar/01/book-on-inspiring-tales-of-muslim-womenfrom-karnataka-out-2551875.html

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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

https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/india-fashion-forum-2023-uk-based-raishma-islam-highlights-challenges-for-women-in-business

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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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URL:   https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iran-forces-female-hijab/d/129225

 

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