Mayar Sherif: The Egyptian History-Maker Out to Inspire Next Generation of Arab Women Tennis Players
New Age
Islam News Bureau
29
May 2023
• Mayar Sherif: The Egyptian History-Maker Out to
Inspire Next Generation of Arab Women Tennis Players
• Iranian Student Suspended From University for Refusing
To Wear Hijab Summoned In New Case
• Pakistani Women Have a Long History of Resistance
• How Women's Purchasing Power Is Altering Market
Dynamics
• Riverina Museum Exhibition of Bangladeshi Quilts
Builds Cultural Awareness
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/mayar-sherif-egyptian-arab-tennis/d/129877
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Mayar Sherif: The Egyptian History-Maker Out To Inspire Next Generation Of Arab Women Tennis Players
Mayar Sherif
is relishing her return to the French Open
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Sunday 28 May
2023
As a young girl
growing up in Egypt Mayar Sherif would sit and idolise Kim Clijsters and Amelie
Mauresmo while the pair climbed to the summit of women's tennis, conditioned to
believe her own dreams would remain confined to that of a distant admirer in
north Africa.
She is here.
And whether or not she touches the glistening heights of a Clijsters or a Mauresmo,
Sherif has no intention of allowing other young women from the Arab world or
Africa to conform to the same narrative.
The
27-year-old, who was born in Cairo, currently sits at a career-high ranking of
43 as she gears up for her return to Roland Garros, where she made history as
the first Egyptian woman to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam at the 2020
French Open.
She still
remembers the words of those that gave her little-to-no chance.
"Oh my
gosh, so many said I wouldn't make it, 90 per cent of the people said I
couldn't make it," Sherif tells Sky Sports. "The only person or two
people were my parents, maybe one of my sisters, who always believed I was
good, but that was literally it.
"If I
hadn't found my coach I have now, who helped me financially and believed in me
more than I believed in myself, I might not have made it, that gave me a huge
push mentally to believe I could get to where I am now."
Sherif paints
the picture of a narrow path to opportunity in her home nation, hindered by the
void of clear structure and system but also outdated perceptions of women's
sport.
"I think
women are more eager to succeed or they have more motivation to prove
themselves because of the little suppression we have in North Africa or in the
Arab world with the women's situation," she explained. "We try to get
out of that with more motivation, I think more women's sports are succeeding
much better than before."
With her rise
through the ranks and the accompanying outcry of support for her success from
Egyptian fans comes enhanced, landscape-altering awareness.
"It's
never easy (being a female athlete in the Arab world)," Sherif continued.
"Talking in my country, what's expected from you as a woman is that if you
go to college 'good for you' but after that you're getting married, raising
kids and you stay with your kids at home and cook for your husband.
"That's
sometimes the mentality, even with some of my friends, just to have this stable
life and have a husband, kids and that's it.
"It was
very hard, even for the people around me like some of my friends and family, to
understand me when I said 'I want this really bad, I want to get out and
explore and see what I can do out there, even if I'm going to be by myself'.
"Just to
prove myself and prove that even if I fail I've tried my best, it was hard for
people to understand that as well."
The feats are
beginning to stack up for Sherif. At the 2019 African Games she won gold to
pave the way to her becoming the first Egyptian woman to qualify for the
Olympics in tennis; in 2020 she made her historic French Open debut, prompting
a social media shout-out from Liverpool star Mohammed Salah; in 2021 she became
the first Egyptian woman to win a Grand Slam match by beating Chloe Paquet at
the Australian Open, as well as becoming the first Egyptian woman to make it to
a WTA Tour singles and doubles final - in Cluj-Napoca - and the first Egyptian
woman to enter the WTA top 100.
She went on to
make further history as the first Egyptian woman to win a main-draw match at
the French Open in 2022, before defeating world No 7 Maria Sakkari in Parma to
become the first woman from her country to win a WTA Tour title.
This month she
toppled fifth seed Caroline Garcia and 24th seed Elise Mertens in Madrid on her
way to the quarter-finals of a WTA 1000 event - another first for an Egyptian
woman - in the process underlining her growing threat on clay.
"The
reaction to Madrid was huge, I had the Minister of Sport reach out to me, I had
all my sponsors reach out," she explained.
"Everybody
on social media was making sure everybody in Egypt knows about it so it's very
nice that the action of the people of Egypt and Africa and the Arab world is
big, because our sport really needs a lot of work and hopefully that gives hope
to the next generation to look up to us and work on themselves to get to where
professional tennis is."
Sherif was
naturally introduced to the sport as a child by way of her parents' love for
tennis along with that of her older sister Rana Sherif Ahmed, who has
previously represented the Egyptian Fed Cup team.
Knowing she
wanted to make a career of it was one thing, carving out a route into the game
was an entirely different challenge.
"It wasn't
easy at all, it was very hard to find practice, we didn't have the financial
support from my country and there were no sponsors to finance the good
players," she explained.
"Even
though I was very good in Egypt and in Africa when I was younger, I still
didn't have the financial support to get me to a good level.
"So it was
tough, from all the aspects. There was no system, no good fitness with good
nutrition and physios, there's no institution to help get everything together
to get professional athletes."
She has earned
the right to prioritise fulfilling very real prospects of breaking into the
world's top 20 - something Sherif believes she can do with more consistency -
but is equally tuned in to the flag-bearing role she has developed and the
opportunity to assist the next generation.
Among her goals
off the court is mapping out a clearer path for young children in Egypt and the
Arab world to pursue careers in professional tennis.
"We are
already working on it and hopefully that will happen at the end of this
year," she explained. "What I'm seeing now is that with my success
sponsors have started to look more into tennis helping youngsters to try to
reach the professional game.
"I really
want to start this out, I think I'm going to start this out at the end of the
year and let's see how it's going to go."
Sherif is a
long-time friend of Tunisian world No 3 OnsJabeur, who has similarly shouldered
a trail-blazing onus as the highest-ranked African and Arab player in history.
"We don't
really talk about it, we just have the respect for each other," said
Sherif. "If I ever need anything I go and ask her, she's very helpful for
me, she's super helpful, very nice and funny. I've known her from such a young
age so we're good friends."
Between them
they have embraced the unwritten job of serving as a beacon for Arab athletes.
"It's a
huge responsibility but honestly I do enjoy it because I feel that as long as
I'm doing my best, have a good image on the court, being a good role model for
the young generation it's good for them," she said.
"I think
the result will be good for them. I'm trying my best, it gives me motivation to
have a better attitude on the court and to reach more so these young girls and
boys see that and see where they can get in tennis."
Sherif's
immediate focus now turns to Roland Garros where she is seeking to produce her
best return yet after being forced to withdraw from the second round last year
due to injury.
"I'm very
excited for the French," she added. "I know I'm very uncomfortable to
play on those courts so I can't wait, I'm going to go out there and enjoy
myself."
Sherif's performances
in Madrid - at a level she deems well shy of her best - have given her added
belief heading into one of her favoured majors, though the Egyptian is aware of
the strength in depth that continues to make the women's tour so unpredictable.
"The level
is very similar, you see the top 10 or top 15, the only difference is they're
much more consistent than the other players," she noted.
"They have
some other qualities but really anybody can beat anybody and you have to be
attentive because it can hit you in the first round, you think you're playing a
player you should beat and then realise you could lose at any time.
"You have
to respect everybody, you have to be humble and play everybody and every round
like it's a final.
"I would
like my image to be one of a hard worker, on the court and off the court I try
to be humble and respect everybody. Hopefully in Egypt and Africa in the future
my dream is to get more players from this zone to go out and be professional
players.
"I don't
see it as far, I just see that we need a system. With having tennis in these
zones and sponsors that want to help young players, I feel I would love to
contribute to that in the future."
Source: skysports.com
https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/12888256/mayar-sherif-the-egyptian-history-maker-out-to-inspire-next-generation-of-arab-women-tennis-players
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Iranian Student
Suspended From University For Refusing To Wear Hijab Summoned In New Case
Sepideh
Rashno, pictured with her brother and lawyer, wrote on her Instagram account
earlier this month that she had been banned from studying at Al-Zahra
University in Tehran for two semesters for "not observing the Islamic
dress code."
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May 28, 2023
SepidehRashno,
a 28-year-old Iranian writer and student arrested last year for refusing to
wear the mandatory hijab, has said she has been summoned to appear before the
Tehran Prosecutor's Office in relation to a supposed new case against her.
Rashno
announced the development by publishing a photograph of the official judicial
notice on her Instagram page.
"A new
case has been created and today I was notified that I have to go to the Evin
courthouse to explain the charge or imputed charge,"
Rashno said,
adding that she believed the summons was related to several Instagram posts
that she has published in recent weeks.
Earlier this
month, Rashno wrote on her Instagram account that she had been banned from
studying at Al-Zahra University in Tehran for two semesters for "not
observing the Islamic dress code."
She was arrested
in June after a video of her arguing with another woman who was enforcing rules
on wearing a head scarf on a bus in Tehran went viral.
Rashno was
handed a five-year suspended prison sentence in December after being found
guilty of "gathering and colluding against the country's security,"
"propaganda activity against the government," and "appearing
without a hijab in public."
Just weeks
after Rashno's arrest, mass protests erupted around the country after
22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in September while in police custody after being
arrested by morality police in Tehran for "improperly" wearing a
hijab.
Hundreds of
Iranian students are reportedly facing disciplinary committees and possible
suspensions at Al-Zahra University over issues related to the mandatory hijab
on campus.
According to
the Telegram channel Voice of Al-Zahra Students, since the beginning of the
Persian New Year in late March, at least 35 students have been suspended from
studying for one to two semesters due to issues related to the mandatory hijab
and have been deprived of dormitory access until the end of their studies.
Source: rferl.org
https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-student-suspended-university-refusing-hijab-case/32431652.html
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Pakistani Women
Have a Long History of Resistance
May 29, 2023
To protest is
an inherent part of any democracy. Protests are fundamental to the success of
democratic processes as they highlight the struggles of the people and,
therefore, result in social change.
Throughout
Pakistan’s history, women have always played a crucial role in public protests.
Be it the 2013 women-led protests in Swat for the provision of civic amenities,
the Hazara women’s protests against targeted killings or the Gwadar women
marching for basic rights — the list goes on and on.
If you go
through the popular rhetoric on social media these days, however, some would
have you believe that the PTI is the first political party to have created
space for women to participate in political activities, that this is the first
time women have taken to the streets for a political cause, and that this is
the first time that they have been manhandled or detained by law enforcers for
participating in protests.
The reality is
that women have been passionately mobilising and protesting — often alongside
their male counterparts — since before Independence and have also been at the
receiving end of brutal repression by the state. Whether it is to support their
favourite leader or a political party that they align with, they have never
been afraid to be at the forefront of any movement. They have also taken the
lead in actively mobilising for social causes that fail to make it to the
priority lists of political parties. For the sake of brevity, however, this
essay only focuses on women’s participation in political causes.
A tradition of
rebellion
The phenomenon
of women’s participation in politics — mainstream or otherwise — began well
before Independence. In the 1946 elections, two women, Begum JahanaraShahnawaz
and Begum Shaista Ikramullah, were elected to the Central Constituent Assembly
and continued to be part of the first Constituent Assembly after Partition.
This was also
the year women supporting the Muslim League came out on the streets and
protested against the government for refusing to allow the political party to
form a ministry. They faced violence from the state — very much like they do
today — and many were arrested.
Of course, no
one can deny the role women played in the Pakistan movement. Women like Fatima
Jinnah, Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, Begum Abdullah Haroon, Begum Ghulam
Hidayatullah, Jehan Ara Shahnawaz, Viqarun Nisa Noon, Begum Tassaduq Hussain
and many unnamed others fought alongside men against colonial powers and for a
separate nation.
Initially,
women’s protests for the cause were limited to Lahore and Karachi; however, the
Civil Disobedience Movement of 1947 saw Pakthun women in modern day KP come to
the fore and register their protests.
After
Independence, women’s inclusion in politics as well as other aspects of the
democratic process were seriously deterred by long periods of dictatorships.
It is also
ironic that it was under a military dictator that women received an
unprecedented number of seats in the federal as well as provincial assemblies
in 2002 and entered formal political representation. Then again, it was the
same military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, who in 2005 had this to say
about the rising incidence of rape cases in the country: “This has become a
moneymaking concern. A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a
visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped.”
Bushra Gohar, a
senior leader of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and former senior
vice-president of the Awami National Party (ANP), told Dawn.com that “democracy
and the political process in the country has been weakened by long military
dictatorships and military control during the brief transition to democracy”.
“The attacks on
political leaders have affected political parties as well. They weren’t able to
develop a strong democratic political system within parties,” said the former
MNA.
In spite of
this, women actively participated in protests against several dictatorial
regimes. Whether it was during the protests of the late 1960s against Ayub Khan
— where students, women, workers and peasants, along with politicians like
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto forced the dictator to resign on March 25, 1969 — or during
the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) in the early 80s against
General Ziaul Haq’s rule, women have always been a force to be reckoned with.
In recent
years, Gwadar has seen a series of protests, many of them led by women. The Haq
Do Tehreek (HDT), led by Jamaat-i-Islami’s Maulana Hidayatur Rahman, has been
staging regular protests in the city for a number of demands, including the
banning of illegal trawlers in Balochistan’s waters, a reduction of security
checkpoints, as well as the liberalisation of trade with neighbouring Iran.
Despite facing
violence from the law enforcement agencies time and again, in the form of
tear-gas and arrests, the protesters continue to gather. In late December last
year, the Balochistan government imposed Section 144 for a month. Despite the
law prohibiting the gathering of five or more people in public, the
demonstrators continued to pour onto the streets — and get arrested.
Sixty-five-year-old
Maasi Zainab is the female face of Gwadar’s HDT and is also the one who helped
bring Rahman to the forefront. He was on his way to Turbat when he heard
Zainab’s message on his phone and decided to come to the port city and join her
for the protests. Since then, she has been a strong supporter of Rahman and
continues to go door to door to invite women to the protests and sit-ins.
Before Gwadar,
hundreds of women marched in the streets of Swat in 2013 to protest prolonged
power outages and load shedding of natural gas in the area. This was the first
time in the history of the region that women — most of them housewives from
Saidu Sharif and adjoining areas — took to the streets to voice their demands.
During one such
demonstration, Tabbasum Bashir, an activist who headed the protest, told The
Express Tribune: “This protest is a slap on the face of the government. Despite
cultural and social barriers, the women are here to demand for their rights.”
Always there,
less recognised
According to
academic Ayesha Khan, who is also author of the book The Women’s Movement in
Pakistan: Activism, Islam, and Democracy, “women have always been politically
engaged in Pakistan, at many different levels”.
“They have
joined political parties, protest movements, and community mobilisations to
access greater rights and resources. But because fewer women have played
visible leadership roles, their contributions to the political culture have
been recognised less,” she added.
In 1981, the
MRD movement against the dictatorship of Gen Zia demonstrated bravery of women
protestors. The PPP, which at the time was headed by former PM Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto’s widow Begum Nusrat Bhutto and later by their daughter Benazir Bhutto,
joined hands with the Awami Tehreek and other secular democratic parties to
mobilise people across Sindh against the dictator.
Women
affiliated with Rasool BuxPalijo’s left-leaning Awami Tehreek formed the
Sindhiyani Tehreek (ST) to call for an end to feudalism and the patriarchy,
demanded federalism and provincial autonomy and fought to restore democracy.
Although the ST was a women’s wing and not entirely independent, it had an
independent working mechanism, a separate constitution and distinct areas of
operation. Hundreds of women partaking in the MRD were arrested and faced
violent suppression from the state at the time.
“Women in the
Movement for the Restoration of Democracy during the 1980s were brutally
repressed and attacked by the military for speaking out against the regime and
demanding the political rights of the people, particularly in Sindh,” explained
Khan.
Farhatullah
Babar, a prominent PPP politician and former senator, remembers the women’s
resistance against Zia as “heroic”.
“It was heroic
because the women had stood up against a military dictatorship with whom the
mullahs had also joined hands.”
Describing the
women’s struggle against the “mullah-military alliance as a glorious chapter in
the history of women’s rights in Pakistan”, he said: “Zia used the name of
Islam to curb resistance to his dictatorship. In particular, religious
principles were interpreted in ways that militate against the weakest section
of society, namely the women.
“When the
Federal Shariat Court at the time decreed that stoning to death was unIslamic,
he [Zia] sacked the chief justice and brought in a handpicked head of the
Shariat Court and authorised him to also review any verdict of the court. Thus
reviewing its previous judgment, the new court declared stoning to death
Islamic,” he added. “Zia went too far.”
Gohar also
recalled the protests of the Women Action Front against Zia’s “draconian laws
[as] very powerful”.
Beyond the
mainstream, political parties at local levels have also attracted women members
and supporters, whether it is the Hazara, Baloch or Pashtun women fighting
against terror and militant attacks in the region and protesting against the
abduction of their loved ones — who are often given the misnomer of ‘missing
persons’.
“The Baloch
women’s movement against enforced disappearances is very inspiring,” Gohar
continued.
“Women who
protest against the terror attacks on Shia Hazaras in Balochistan face risk to
their lives by taking to the streets — many of these women are affiliated with
Hazara political parties, for example, the Hazara Democratic Party,” said Khan.
“Women in the ANP in KP have been exposed to militant attacks. In fact, which
political party has members that have not been suppressed by the state?” she
asked.
Obstacles to
participation
Afiya Zia, a
researcher, activist and author of Faith and Feminism in Pakistan, said that
while women have been actively engaging in political struggles over the years,
much of their energy has been directed towards the countless cases of violence
against them, for example, “Sindhi and Baloch women protesting against dams and
honour-based killings and for their right to marry [whoever] they want.”
Gohar, who
herself has been a part of many protests since the beginning of her political
career, said: “Over the years, starting from military dictator Ziaul Haq, I
have been threatened, harassed and my party membership revoked for my
rights-based political positions.”
This shows that
despite the enthusiasm and bravery women have shown time and again, they have
not had it easy. At every stop, they face challenges and harassment to merely
have their voices heard within or outside political avenues.
When PTI’s
Azadi March took to the streets in the federal capital in 2014, women were seen
participating in great numbers. The appearance of famous pop singers such as
Abrarul Haq, Shehzad Roy, NajamSheraz and Salman Ahmad of Junoon were a regular
occurrence at Imran Khan’s sit-in.
Like everyone
else in the audience, women enjoyed the music and danced — eliciting strong
cries of ‘fahashi!’ from the morality police. They were not only
character-shamed online but offline too, even inside the parliament itself.
In 2018 — the
incumbent Interior Minister of Pakistan — Rana Sanaullah passed derogatory remarks
regarding women who attended PTI’s rally, saying, “The women that were present
[there], their ‘thumke’ [hip movement] showed where they had come from. In
yesterday’s rally, they hired dancers to attract people to come. This is how
the fill their jalsas with people.”
This character
assassination of female participants at protests and rallies is not a rare
occurrence. Last year, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, JUI-F chief, said at a rally
that PTI’s female supporters “want him [Imran Khan] to come to their bedrooms”.
This misogynistic mindset does not only reflect his individual opinion but also
highlights a deep-rooted problem of rampant sexism in all levels of our
society.
“Politics in
Pakistan is male-dominated and controlled. There is very little space and
acceptance of women in politics. Women have to work twice as hard to be
accepted as a leader,” asserted Gohar.
“Patriarchy,
tribalism and conservatism coupled with Talibanisation as state policy have
made the political environment toxic and hazardous for women in politics,” she
said, listing the reasons that deter women from entering and staying in
politics.
She is now one
of the founding members of the National Democratic Movement — a Pashtun
nationalist, regionalist, and social-democratic political party — and its
Pakhtunkwa chairperson. She said she is a part of all key policy
decision-making forums of the party.
But not
everyone has been so lucky. According to Gohar, “over the years, political
parties have become family enterprises with very little room for ideological
politics.”
As a result,
women’s participation in protests and movements has shrunk, she lamented. “This
is largely because political parties haven’t invested in women members’
mobilisation and facilitation. Security and financial constraints have also
affected women’s participation in public gatherings.”
More than
anything, this goes to show how complicated women’s struggles are in Pakistan —
just like anywhere else — and that they cannot be painted with a broad brush.
“Women’s rise
in politics hasn’t been organic nor have political parties taken any internal
reform to enable gender mobility or increase representation — not even invested
in women voters, “ said Afiya.
In the 2018
elections, for example, only five per cent of the candidates contesting for the
general seats were women. Of these 171 candidates, eight won seats.
And yet, Babar
feels “it is absolutely important that women are part of the mainstream
politics to carry forward the agenda of their emancipation. In a patriarchal
society like Pakistan, women will have to take the lead”.
“They have
proved that when they took the lead, they also made significant achievements.
Women must therefore be an important part of any protest or political movement
for their emancipation.”
Source: dawn.com
https://www.dawn.com/news/1753628/she-was-always-there-pakistani-women-have-a-long-history-of-resistance
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How Women's
Purchasing Power Is Altering Market Dynamics
Dr Mohammad
Shahidul Islam
29 May, 2023
The changing
competitive landscape in Bangladesh's marketing business can be directly
attributed to the increasing purchasing power of Bangladesh's female consumers
in recent years.
As more and
more women join the work field and gain financial independence, they have a
more significant say in household spending decisions. Recognising the
importance of women as consumers and tailoring marketing strategies to them is
essential for companies to stay ahead of the competition.
The World Bank
reports that the percentage of Bangladeshi women in the labour force has
increased dramatically, from 26% in 2000 to 36.3% in 2021. Women's increasing
purchasing power has far-reaching effects on tastes, shopping habits, and the
country's overall development.
The demand for
products and services in the cosmetics market, the electronics sector, and the
fashion business have increased dramatically in recent years due to women
obtaining economic independence. For instance, in recent years, local
Bangladeshi fashion labels like Aarong and Le Reve have become increasingly
popular with female consumers, demonstrating the sector's expansion.
According to a
report, during the past few years, the number of people interested in heritage
has increased, leading to a more than 20% increase in sales for Aarong, one of
Bangladesh's top retail chains. The chief executive of the lifestyle brand
stated that their sales turnover reached Tk850 crore in 2017 and expected it to
surpass Tk1,000crore in 2018.
Multinational
corporations have caught on to the potential of the Bangladeshi market. As a
result, companies like Unilever and L'Oréal have adjusted their product lines
to suit the changing tastes of Bangladeshi women better. Mordor Intelligence
predicts a 7.5% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) for Bangladesh's beauty and
personal care sector between 2021 and 2026.
This
demonstrates how the rising purchasing power of women is impacting market
developments. The changing tastes of consumers and the increased buying power
of women in Bangladesh have prompted businesses to reevaluate and adjust their
marketing strategies to stay competitive in the dynamic Bangladeshi market.
Similar changes
have occurred in other countries, such as India and South Korea, where
businesses have successfully adapted their marketing strategies to target
female consumers. The growth of online shopping is a prime example of this
pattern, because of its convenience to female shoppers. Bangladeshi e-commerce
platforms like Daraz and AjkerDeal have proliferated, mirroring the success of
Alibaba in China and Amazon in the United States. Alibaba is the leading
e-commerce platform in China.
Successfully
appealing to female consumers requires a marketing strategy prioritising
storytelling and emotional appeal. Successful companies have adopted this
tactic, and as a result, they have launched advertising campaigns that speak
directly to women and their lived experiences. Furthermore, marketing to women
via social media and influencers has proven effective in both the United States
and South Korea.
As a result of
women's increasing purchasing power in Bangladesh, businesses are shifting
their advertising strategies. As more and more women join the work field and
gain financial independence, they have a more significant say in household
spending decisions.
This change,
however, poses numerous difficulties for businesses, such as the need to strike
a balance between traditional and modern values, address the diversity of
female consumers, overcome gender stereotypes in advertising, adapt to the
ever-changing preferences of consumers, ensure sustainable and ethical
marketing practices, and leverage digital platforms effectively.
Companies can
overcome these challenges in a variety of ways by adopting a variety of
tactics. They should start by creating advertising campaigns that respect
long-standing cultural norms while promoting innovative ideas.
For instance,
Unilever announced diversity and inclusion by rebranding its Fair & Lovely
product in India as Glow & Lovely. The goal was to capture interest from a
larger audience of potential buyers.
Second, to
reach more women from different backgrounds and cultures, fast fashion brands
like Zara and H&M need to increase the diversity of sizes and styles they
provide.
Third,
businesses could take a stand against sexist advertising like Audi did with
their "Daughter" commercial airing during the 2017 Super Bowl.
Because of this commercial, people discuss the importance of equal pay for
equal work.
Fourth,
businesses must conduct market research and be receptive to new ideas if they
want to anticipate and meet the needs of their customers as their tastes
evolve. For instance, Nike has introduced a line of women's sports hijabs in
response to the growing demand for athletic clothing designed especially for
Muslim women.
Fifth,
businesses should advertise their commitment to ethical and sustainable
operations. Eco-friendly clothing lines include H&M's own Conscious
Collection, for instance.
Sixth,
connecting with female consumers requires expert use of digital platforms like
social media and e-commerce. Like many other businesses, Sephora has discovered
that engaging with their customers on social media increases revenue.
In sum,
businesses that can keep up with the changing interests of Bangladeshi women
consumers and adapt their marketing strategies accordingly would have a leg up
on the competition in this dynamic country.
The market
becomes more competitive by rising up to these challenges, and a more
progressive and inclusive culture is also fostered. Bangladesh's marketing
scene must address the growing influence of women as buyers.
Source: tbsnews.net
https://www.tbsnews.net/features/panorama/how-womens-purchasing-power-altering-market-dynamics-639838
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RiverinaMuseum
Exhibition of Bangladeshi Quilts Builds Cultural Awareness
28-05-23
For Nusrat
Shoumy, the stories of generations of women are represented in every stitch on
her colourful and traditional quilts from Bangladesh, called kathas or nakshis.
"My mum
would tell me all her life stories and all my grandmother's stories through
these kathas," Ms Shoumy said.
"How they
were so poor at that time and how my grandmother struggled to raise them."
Kathas are made
from old saris that have been intricately stitched together in layers to create
a soft blanket.
"In rural
areas [of Bangladesh] there was not much electricity and lots of poverty,"
Ms Shoumy said.
"Women
would come together and over a couple of months they would sit down, they would
sew, chat with each other and catch up while the kids played.
Exhibition
shares cultural connection
The art of
kathas and the stories of the women who made them are the focus of an
exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina in WaggaWagga, southern NSW.
The city is
home to a community of about 120 Bangladeshis.
Afsana Tanjeem
Annie has lent some of her family quilts for the exhibition and said it was an
opportunity to share Bangladeshi culture.
"They are
made in very rural villages in Bangladesh and the people who wore that sari,
they never [would have] imagined that their kathas would be in an exhibition
here," she said.
"When I
see this katha I can remember my mum. One of them is from my mother-in-law, I
can remember her.
"Seeing
these kathas in the museum, it's emotional for me."
For Ms Shoumy,
the exhibition holds cross-cultural significance because there is also an
Australian tradition of recycled quilt-making using jute or flour sacks.
They are
coincidently known as Wagga rugs or Woggas.
"Since
Wagga quilts were made from recycled material during the time when material was
scarce, I thought this would just bind the communities together
wonderfully," Ms Shoumy said.
"It has
had such a great response. Everyone's saying it looks so colourful and
beautiful and that just makes me so happy to hear."
Source: abc.net.au
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-29/exhibition-bangladeshi-quilts-cultural-awareness-wagga/102398454
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/mayar-sherif-egyptian-arab-tennis/d/129877