Manahel Al-Otaibi, A Saudi Fitness Instructor Stabbed In Face In Jail Over Women’s Rights Posts
New Age Islam News Bureau
02 Oct 2024
· Manahel Al-Otaibi, A Saudi Fitness Instructor Stabbed In Face In Jail Over Women’s Rights Posts
· Unheard, Unseen, Off Air: Afghan Law Could Erase Women In Media
· Qatar Representative To Geneva, HE Dr. Al Muftah, Stresses Women's Role To Achieve Sustainable Development
· Breaking Boundaries: How Saudi Women Are Transforming the Workforce
· How Can African Women Bridge the Digital Gender Gap?
· US and OIC Sign MOU on Empowerment of Women and Girls
· Al-Mujadilah Center And Mosque For Women Opens Applications For New Education Exchange Program
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/manahel-otaibi-saudi-jail-rights/d/133342
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Manahel Al-Otaibi, A Saudi Fitness Instructor Stabbed In Face In Jail Over Women’s Rights Posts
Pen used in assault on Manahel al-Otaibi, who has been imprisoned for 11 years for ‘terrorist’ tweets after secret trial
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Wed 2 Oct 2024
A Saudi Arabian fitness instructor and influencer has been stabbed in the face in prison after being jailed in January for promoting women’s rights on social media.
Manahel al-Otaibi, 30, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for “terrorist offences” in a secret trial that generated widespread criticism, with activists saying it showed the “hollowness” of Saudi progress in human rights.
This week, Manahel told her family she had been stabbed in the face with a sharp pen by an unknown assailant and required stitches. Her family said they had tried to report the attack to the Saudi government’s Human Rights Commission, but were ignored.
Along with her sisters, Maryam and Fawzia, Manahel had been targeted with a campaign of arrests, threats and intimidation after posting messages about female empowerment.
The sisters had been among the first to post using the hashtag #IAmMyOwnGuardian, calling for an end to the male guardianship system dictating that women needed the permission of a husband, father or other male relative to marry or travel.
The authorities accused Manahel of leading a propaganda campaign to incite girls to denounce religious principles, and rebel against customs and traditions in Saudi culture. In November 2022, she was arrested and charged for tweeting in support of women’s rights and posting photos without wearing traditional clothing.
Since she was detained at Al-Malaz prison in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, Manahel has reportedly been brutally beaten by both fellow prisoners and prison guards, and was “forcibly disappeared” for five months when she was allowed no contact with her family between November 2023 and April this year.
“She was very afraid [when we spoke to her by phone], but was strong enough to tell us about the incident and what happened despite their threats to try to keep her silent,” said Fawzia, who narrowly evaded arrest herself by fleeing over the border to Bahrain.
“I believe they are punishing and torturing Manahel because they are unable to punish me,” she said. “She told us that if communication is interrupted again next week [when she is due to call her family again] then it means they have punished her for telling us about everything that happened.”
Lina al-Hathloul, head of monitoring and advocacy at ALQST, which documents human rights in Saudi Arabia, said: “This is the latest in a series of appalling attacks that Manahel has faced in prison, with the Saudi authorities not only turning a blind eye to the abuse but actively facilitating it, including by preventing her from making complaints, placing her in solitary confinement and putting her in cells where she is vulnerable to further violence.
“This is part of a wider pattern in which the authorities are callously toying with the lives of Saudi prisoners of conscience, with potentially lethal consequences.”
Referring to the rise of “sportswashing” by the Saudi regime, Bissan Fakih, at Amnesty International said: “When the reality of the human rights situation is camouflaged with sports or entertainment events, it makes it harder for us to pressure the Saudi authorities to release people like Manahel.”
The Saudi embassy in London was contacted for comment.
Source: theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/02/saudi-arabia-women-human-rights-influencer-manahel-al-otaibi-stabbed-face-abuse-prison
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Unheard, Unseen, Off Air: Afghan Law Could Erase Women In Media
A girl sits in front of a bakery in the crowd with Afghan women waiting to receive bread in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 31, 2022. REUTERS/Ali Khara
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Emma Batha
2 Oct 2024
What’s the context?
Afghan women journalists fear Taliban "vice and virtue" law could expunge them from the media with dire consequences for wider society
Taliban bans women speaking in public
Women journalists fear for their jobs
UN warns of devastating consequences
Afghanistan's draconian new "morality law", which bans women from speaking in public, could force them out of the media and silence those offering hope to girls already shut out of schools and studying at home, journalists and U.N. experts say.
Women presenters and journalists - many with families who depend on their earnings - fear they could lose their jobs after Taliban leaders said women's voices were "intimate" and could lead to vice.
The new law, which has triggered international outrage, also states women must cover their faces in public and bans the publishing of images of "living beings", casting doubts over the wider future of television in the country.
"I'm deeply shocked," one journalist in Afghanistan told Context.
"First, they deprive women of education by closing girls' schools, and now they want to silence women in society altogether. It's a symbolic violence."
The journalist, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said the law would make it very hard to conduct interviews and would force female presenters to quit their jobs.
Educational programmes aimed at teenage girls - who have been banned from school since the Taliban seized power in 2021 - might also have to stop if the rules are applied to the female teachers and presenters who front them, she said.
U.N. officials say the law, published by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in August, has not been fully implemented, but they are closely monitoring the situation.
"The potential consequences would be devastating," said GuilhermeCanela, who heads UNESCO's section for freedom of expression and safety of journalists.
"Women could completely disappear from the media, and the public sphere, in the worst-case scenario. How do you discuss issues relevant to society, and women in particular, if you don't have women involved in the conversation?"
Broadcasts suspended
Canela said it was hard to see how television could operate at all if the rule banning the portrayal of living beings was enforced.
The implications would be "absolutely massive", he said, particularly given television's role in providing critical information in a country with limited internet access.
Canela pointed to coverage of last year's earthquake in northern Afghanistan, which had provided life-saving information and included televised interviews with emergency and health workers. Such broadcasts would fall foul of the new rules.
Although the law has not been enforced on the media nationally, there are reports that the Taliban have suspended some broadcasts by a TV channel in the southern province of Kandahar, home to the movement's supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada.
Taliban officials - who say they respect women's rights in line with their interpretation of Islamic law - did not reply to a request for comment.
The latest restrictions follow a slew of pronouncements that have already barred women from university and most jobs, limited their freedom of movement and banished them from public spaces.
Although the media is one of the few sectors where women can still work, strict rules mean many have been forced out of news reporting and increasingly operate behind the scenes.
Canela said 80% of women journalists had lost their jobs since the Taliban took over.
Women journalists are not allowed to interview men, be interviewed by men or share office space with men. They also need a male guardian to accompany them for most travel.
The plethora of repressive edicts has also stifled women's participation in the media in other ways with fewer and fewer willing to be interviewed or filmed.
Job loss fears
Although some women still work as presenters, they have to cover their faces and mostly anchor morning shows rather than news programmes.
"Every day, I worry about what will happen to me if this (new) law is enforced," said one presenter, who withheld her name due to safety concerns.
"This will not only impact us socially, but also financially. The Taliban don't seem to care how journalists' families will manage their living expenses. It's a great concern for many of us."
Media entrepreneur Hamida Aman also highlighted fears the new law could impact educational programming.
A number of TV and radio outlets have begun broadcasting educational content since the Taliban takeover using women teachers, journalists and presenters.
Aman who set up Radio Begum, which provides on-air schooling for girls stuck at home, said staff were concerned for their jobs.
"Most are the breadwinners in their families," she said.
(Reporing by Emma Batha and OroojHakimi; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa)
Source: context.news
https://www.context.news/socioeconomic-inclusion/new-afghan-morality-law-risks-erasing-women-from-media
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Qatar Representative To Geneva, HE Dr. Al Muftah, Stresses Women's Role To Achieve Sustainable Development
02 Oct 2024
Doha: Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva HE Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah participated in a panel on women's leadership in sustainability and climate action, as part of the Qatar National Dialogue for Climate Change (QNDCC) 2024.
The QNDCC 2024 is co-organized by the Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, a member of Qatar Foundation, and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Addressing the panel, Her Excellency highlighted the urgent challenges to global climate leadership, stressing in this context the importance of empowering women and beefing up their role in achieving sustainable development, and the need to integrate them into environmental decision-making to battle global climate change.
Her Excellency dismissed the existence of a single leadership model to subdue multiple environmental challenges, highlighting in this context the various leadership styles derived from the main characteristics and challenges of the climate crisis, which together contribute to the adaptation of political, administrative and other functions to climate change.
Ambitious climate policies, along with economic development, education, technological progress and less resource-intensive lifestyles, are all crucial elements for progress towards achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, Her Excellency added.
Her Excellency stressed that it is mandatory and paramount for the international community, not the UN or any single country, to collectively shoulder the responsibility for urgent climate action.
Her Excellency noted that the time has come to put women at the heart of climate action, stressing that the absence of urgent climate change action and measures would procrastinate gender equality.
She also pointed to Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, HH Sheikha Mozabint Nasser's crucial role in advocating for sustainable urban development and renewable energy research through Qatar Foundation.
Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/02/10/2024/qatar-permanent-representative-to-geneva-stresses-womens-role-to-acheive-sustainable-development
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Breaking Boundaries: How Saudi Women Are Transforming the Workforce
Oct 1, 2024,
In recent years, Saudi has been witnessing a profound cultural shift, and at the heart of this transformation is the rise of women in the workforce. Against the common misconception that Saudi women are confined by tradition and restrictions, their growing presence in various professional fields is challenging old stereotypes. From driving their cars to leading corporate teams, women in Saudi Arabia are embracing independence and reshaping the nation’s economic and social landscape.
Breaking Free From The Stereotypes
For a long time, the image of Saudi women has been clouded by assumptions about their roles being limited to the home. However, with progressive reforms, these misconceptions are being shattered. Women are now not only part of the workforce but also breaking into sectors that were once male-dominated. From finance to engineering, they are proving that gender is no longer a barrier to professional success in the Kingdom.
Economic Participation On The Rise
The numbers speak for themselves. According to recent reports, the participation of women in the workforce has dramatically increased. This is part of Vision 2030, Saudi's plan to diversify its economy, which places a strong emphasis on empowering women. The reforms introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have given women the freedom to work, travel, and drive — opening doors that were previously closed.
Independent And Driving Their Own Future
One of the most visible changes is the lifting of the driving ban for women in 2018. This not only gave women the ability to move freely but also represented a broader societal shift. The freedom to drive has become symbolic of Saudi women's growing independence and their ability to take charge of their own lives, both personally and professionally. As they get behind the wheel, they are also steering their careers in new directions.
Women in Leadership and Innovation
In the corporate world, Saudi women are making their mark. Many are stepping into leadership roles, bringing fresh perspectives to industries ranging from technology to public administration. Their contributions are not only reshaping the workplace but also fostering a more inclusive economy that values the skills and talents of all citizens.
The rise of Saudi women in the workforce is more than just a story of empowerment; it’s a story of transformation. As they continue to break barriers and challenge societal norms, they are laying the foundation for a more dynamic and inclusive Saudi Arabia. The future is bright, and Saudi women are leading the way.
Source: bombaytimes.com
https://www.bombaytimes.com/travel/international/spectacular-saudi-a-comprehensive-guide-to-help-you-navigate-in-and-around-the-kingdom/1727782137751
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How Can African Women Bridge the Digital Gender Gap?
Women behind the lens: ‘I felt as if I was part of the family, like I had many grandmothers’
2 Oct 2024
A journey across Iran allowed a glimpse into the lives of women living in extended families, rooted in tradition and patriarchy, yet rich in linguistic and cultural diversity
I come from a war-torn family. My parents had to move from their city, Abadan, to Shiraz during the Iraq-Iran war and our relatives settled in different cities in Iran and around the world.
I was born in Shiraz in 1986, in the middle of war, and never experienced family gatherings. Today my family is still scattered. I live in Tehran, my only brother lives in Berlin and my parents live in the industrial city of Arak. That’s why I embarked on a journey to find my roots as an Iranian woman. I drove about 20,000 miles (30,000km) across Iran to find women who live in large extended families. My grandmother died just before I started the project and living and socialising with these families, where generations live communally, gave me a sense of belonging. I felt as if I was part of their family, like I had many grandmothers.
I also wanted to learn about these women whose lives are rooted in tradition and patriarchy, but at the same time are rich in linguistic and cultural diversity; women who, despite limitations, strive for the freedom and education of their children, but also want to preserve their ancestral identity.
Even though urban women come together to fight for our rights, city life tends to be characterised by individualism and isolation – in Tehran I don’t even know my neighbour. In cities, resistance is personal and individual, but among these rural women, the resistance is collective. Their resilience and support for each other was inspiring and comforting to me. I always carried my grief alone and was crushed under it, but they shared their sorrows.
This photo represents that sense of shared grief. It is one of 60 in this project, called In the Shadow of Silent Women. I took it in the coastal village of Gahi, in Bushehr province in southern Iran, where men go to sea to fish and sometimes don’t return. It is staged, like all my photos, and shows a group of women channelling their sadness through sharveh, a mourning song sung during funerals but also by women in the home. Shamsi, second from right, who is singing, is one of the best singers in the south of Iran. She said that as a child she used to wake up every morning to the sound of her grandmother singing sharveh as she prepared tea and breakfast for her grandchildren.
My mother was with me on this trip and while we were travelling her father, my grandfather, died, and we had to return to my mother’s home town for the funeral. We couldn’t have a large ceremony because it was during Covid so the sharveh that Shamsi sang that day felt especially poignant. Seeing this picture reminds me of my mother and grandfather. It always makes me very emotional.
Source: theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/02/women-behind-lens-i-felt-as-if-i-was-part-of-the-family-like-i-had-many-grandmothers
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US and OICSign MOU on Empowerment of Women and Girls
OCTOBER 1, 2024
Today, the Government of the United States of America and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) affirming our common interest in the promotion, support, and empowerment of women and girls around the world and our close and continuing partnership. The MOU reflects our shared desire to strengthen Women, Peace and Security efforts; promote women’s economic empowerment; and address the crosscutting issues of preventing and responding to gender-based violence, countering violent extremism, and elevating women and girls’ leadership in OIC Member States.
U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta, U.S. Department of State signed the MOU for the United States and Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs, Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakheet, signed for the OIC in Washington, D.C.
The MOU reflects the Administration’s ongoing commitment to promoting the rights and empowerment of women and girls through U.S. foreign policy and confirms our shared vision for more inclusive, resilient, safe and rights-respecting communities.
Source: state.gov
https://www.state.gov/united-states-and-organization-of-islamic-cooperation-sign-mou-on-empowerment-of-women-and-girls/
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Al-Mujadilah Center and Mosque for Women opens applications for new education exchange program
01 Oct 2024
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation’s Al-Mujadilah Center and Mosque for Women has launched the Ri’aya Young Adult Stewardship Program – a milestone in nurturing the next generation of Muslim women leaders who steward their families, communities, and society into a peaceful and prosperous future.
Ri’aya Young Adult Stewardship Program, for which applications are now open, is an education exchange program designed for young Muslim women aged17-20 years from Qatar and countries around the world. It allows participants to engage with experts on a journey to explore the history and rich values of Islam that enable contemporary global challenges to be addressed.
Through intellectual exchange, mentorship, and capacity development, the program offers young Muslim women the learning and tools required to think critically, analyze contemporary trends, and confidently address challenges that impede their current and future participation in local and global society.
The program runs from December 28, 2024, to January 4, 2025, and successful applicants will be considered for financial assistance and scholarship opportunities. Program details, including how to apply, can be found at www.almujadilah.qa, at Al-Mujadilah’s Facebook page, and on Instagram at @almujadilah.qa.
With limited seats and scholarship opportunities available, interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, with the deadline for applications being October 12, 2024.
“We have taken into consideration the many roles that women play in their lives and the lives of the people around them,” said Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui, Executive Director of Al-Mujadilah. “The program is built on the foundations of a year of in-depth research, as well as my experience as a professor teaching at Education City for over a decade.
“Having that first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by students at this formative age has helped tailor our offer. By studying Islamic history, contemporary Muslim societies and global challenges and trends, these young women will be gaining tools to better understand their world context and engage with it in an informed way.”
Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/01/10/2024/al-mujadilah-center-and-mosque-for-women-opens-applications-for-new-education-exchange-program
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/manahel-otaibi-saudi-jail-rights/d/133342