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Interview UAE News Woman

In conversation with OPPO Brand Ambassador

UAE’s First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja

Nayla Al Khaja, the ambassador of OPPO, an acclaimed Emirati film writer, director, and producer. The CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films, a Dubai-based company previously named D-Seven Motion Pictures, and the founder of The Scene Club, Dubai’s first film club, launched in 2007, her films have participated in more than 42 festivals worldwide.

As a global technology brand, OPPO is committed to empowering female business leaders both in the UAE and across the globe. OPPO is dedicated to supporting and encouraging women to be a driving force for change and share their fresh perspectives with the world.

This Emirati Women’s Day, OPPO celebrates by shining a spotlight on acclaimed Emirati film writer, director, and producer Nayla Al Khaja. The CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films, a Dubai-based company previously named D-Seven Motion Pictures, and the founder of The Scene Club, Dubai’s first film club, launched in 2007, her films have participated in more than 42 festivals worldwide.

UAE’s First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja

In the United Arab Emirates Nayla has written and directed several films, all of which have been presented and awarded at various international film festivals such as Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).

As an experienced film director, Nayla Al Khaja understands what is needed to create the perfect shot. As a brand fan and ambassador, the partnership between OPPO and Nayla was conceived from a shared passion for state-of-the-art camera technology available for all to experience and enjoy.

Join us as we learn more about Nayla’s passion, inspirations, and words of advice for budding film industry enthusiasts.

What inspired you to be a film director and producer?

I had a small gallery here in Dubai before I got into film. I always thought I was gonna be a full-time painter, but motion pictures inspired me from a young age.

 As a child, I would watch VHS tapes back-to-back for hours. Of course, I was only allowed to watch certain genres as a child but, when I was seven or eight, I accidentally watched ‘The Exorcist’ and it truly scared me. A feeling that I still remember today.

When I was in school, I began experimenting with an 8-millimetre camera and by the time I was 19, I had already made my first documentary. After that, it felt only nature that I fell in love with the process of filmmaking. Why filmmaking? Because the process easily spoke to me as I thrive on chaos, madness and unpredictability, and filmmaking had all these components. Being a producer came naturally as did moving into a director role as I had to be in control of my narrative and be true to what I wanted to direct.

What does it mean to you to be an Emirati woman in the industry?

When I lived in Toronto, I was a little fish in this huge ocean. Whereas here, in the UAE, I could be a whale in an aquarium, so to speak. Both experiences came with their own unique benefits and challenges, but I have a better chance to leave my mark and impact in the UAE as one of my primary goals is to inspire young Arabs in the region. I’m just one of the lucky ones where although there are parts of my career that I hate, I would say I love 90% of it, which is a great percentage. It’s fulfilling for me to wake up every day and do what I love doing, which is telling stories. So, I’m very blessed that way.

At what age did you first own a camera? Do you remember your first shot?

Wow, this was a long time ago! I think I was around 12 years old when I owned my first camera. The first shot I took was for a project called cliché where I filmed mundane scenes about life that didn’t mean much individually, but collectively they told a story. For example, one of the scenes I captured was of a man trying to reach up and grab a certain brand of diapers from a supermarket shelf, but he couldn’t reach it even though he was on his toes.

UAE’s First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja

What advice would you give aspiring Emirati females who are looking to join the film industry?

If you’re a woman with a passion for making quality movies and television shows, there’s no better time to get involved than the present. Despite the challenges women in the entertainment industry have faced, it is completely possible to have a successful, rewarding career in producing and filmmaking. My advice is to be fearless and a force that empowers other women around the world.

For budding directors and producers creating content on their phones, what practical tips can you give to improve their photography and videography?

Go out and explore every horizon that comes your way. No shot is considered a bad shot, creativity lies in the eyes of the beholder. Shooting more will give you more confidence and experience as well as giving you the knowledge to rectify previous mistakes. Don’t be afraid to get out there and shoot anything: there is always a story and there’s always success in failure Take inspiration from renowned directors and photographers making sure you follow and study their work.

As a fan of the brand, how would you describe OPPO? What excites you about the brand?

OPPO is one of the leading innovators when it comes to smartphones. When considering what smartphone to purchase it comes down to the feature and camera abilities. OPPO has managed to stand out from other brands when it comes to its camera abilities. What excites me about OPPO is their photo quality thanks to the hybrid 10x zoom capability. This capability helps me to zoom into pictures without losing any quality while I am working when I’m visualizing a particular shot. The fast charging is also a game changer as it helps me to be more mobile than simply waiting idle for my phone to charge.

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-Top News Woman

Burqa-clad woman in Kerala becomes role model

Interestingly, the bus is still named Sree Sundareswara, after a Hindu god, as under the previous owner, and she did not change the name since the past 25 years…reports Asian Lite News.

A burqa-clad, highly-religious woman in Kerala’s Kannur district has become a role model for women and youngsters for her entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic activities.

Rejimol, 46, is known as “Thatha”, or elder sister, by everyone in and around her hometown. She is not a teacher, doctor, advocate, or social worker, but exemplifies courage, determination, and a kind heart while being owner – and worker – of a private bus service.

She, and her husband Mohammed, bought a bus for plying in Kannur, and while several people joined as attendants, all used to leave after serving for one or two months. This led to the determined Rejimol taking up the job by herself, while her husband became the driver and her son, Ajuwad who has completed his plus 2, the conductor for collecting money.

Interestingly, the bus is still named Sree Sundareswara, after a Hindu god, as under the previous owner, and she did not change the name since the past 25 years.

In Kerala, private buses have an attendant who rings the bell after people enter and exit at their respective stops. It has been a male bastion, as the job also involves cleaning the bus after the daily trips as well as changing tyres as and when they puncture, as also guiding the driver while overtaking a vehicle or when negotiating a curve.

All these jobs are now taken up solely by Rejimol, who has become a role model for women and youngsters alike by the determination, grit, and love for the job that she had shown.

“This is a job like any other job and when people first found a burqa-clad woman entering a male bastion, they were surprised. Some were laughing and I asked them whether they were insulting me, they said no and that they were just surprised and were full of respect and admiration for me. This made me carry on and I now have the courage and strength to face the society and life during any upside or downside,” Rejimol said.

She said that life has been tough during Covid-19 times but in all, her life has been good and she used to save money for her pilgrimages to Makkah, and has done the Haj as also the Umra.

She said that daily she saves a portion of her income to be distributed to orphanages, adding that she was also supporting two orphanages. Rejimol also said that she intervenes in any social issue at her neighbourhood and also helps people as much as she can.

She said that she has allowed her daughter to study as much she can before giving her off in marriage.

“Education is important and marriage can come after that,” she maintains.

Her stand is in contrast to the prevailing situation in certain villages of Kerala where Muslim girls are being married off at an early age. However, signs of changes are slowly being seen in the community with more and more Muslim girls studying hard and coming up in academics and entering prestigious institutions like AIIMS, IITs and even qualifying for Civil services. However, there is still a trend of marrying off the girls at a tender age and Rejimol is strongly opposed to this.

Rejimol’s daughter, Ajinas A.M. is a PhD scholar doing her research in political science at the prestigious Karyavattam Campus of Kerala University. She did her Masters in political science from Central University of Puducherry.

The highly-determined woman entrepreneur maintains: “Life is woven around love and without love and mutual help, nobody can survive and my policy is to love everyone and support everyone in whatever means we can. Women must be hard-working and not sit idle at home but chip in for the support of the family.”

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Business Sharjah Woman

Women’s involvement in the socioeconomic journey

Women’s involvement in the socioeconomic journey

The role of businesswomen in Sharjah contributes as drivers of the emirate’s economic advancement…reports Asia Lite News

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Sharjah Ruler, and Chairperson of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA) has highlighted the vital role of businesswomen in Sharjah and commended their key contributions as drivers of the emirate’s economic advancement. The passion, innovation, and creative ideas of female business-owners and entrepreneurs have attracted sizeable investments, helped strengthen and diversify the local economy, and left a distinctive mark on Sharjah’s socioeconomic journey, the NAMA Chairperson further asserted. 

These statements were made during Her Highness’s visit to the new HQ of Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), a NAMA affiliate. HE Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA, and HE Mariam bin Al Shaikh, Acting Manager of SBWC accompanied Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi on the tour, during which they met the team at SBWC working to realise the vision of Her Highness to advance and empower women in academics, professions, the economy and society.

Women’s involvement in the socioeconomic journey

Being briefed on NAMA’s and SBWC’s efforts in the first half of 2021, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi lauded the achievements of both entities in implementing targeted projects and initiatives for women’s empowerment in various fields. The NAMA Chairperson was also offered an overview of the entity’s future plans and strategies to further fuel the role of women in Sharjah’s economy via optimal investments in human capital and providing effective solutions for businesswomen in the emirate.

Addressing the NAMA and SBWC teams, Her Highness said: “In the course of overseeing your integrated efforts towards achieving a common goal, I have seen the tremendous results produced by the qualified cadres here who bring passion and purpose to work every day. You have all exceeded expectations in advancing the various services we provide to businesswomen and female entrepreneurs in Sharjah. I am proud of you all and trust that NAMA’s mission and vision are in safe hands.”

ALSO READ: High digitalization among women-owned businesses

“The impact of women’s contributions to boosting local and national economic performance keeps intensifying, putting greater responsibility on all of us to keep improving the tools, mechanisms, training and support we provide the community of female business professionals to boldly face the challenges in their respective fields,” Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi added.  

https://asianlite.com/2021/woman/high-digitalization-among-women-owned-businesses/

The NAMA Chairperson continued: “NAMA is putting in great work to steadily design and implement initiatives that embody the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, whose unwavering support to consolidate and activate the role of women in the business and entrepreneurial sectors of Sharjah has been a key factor for NAMA success in creating a thriving environment for ambitious businesswomen. The need to support and empower women to break stereotypes and overcome challenges that prevent them from realising their ambitions cannot be overemphasised.”

For her part, Reem BinKaram said: “This visit by Her Highness and the reviewing of our plans, efforts and achievements in the past year is a reflection of the guidance and support Sheikha Jawaher has always honoured us with. Since the beginning of our journey, Her Highness has been keen on overseeing the strategic plans and implementation mechanisms we have designed and developed to boost Sharjah’s professional environment for women.”

Towards the end of the tour, HE Marian Rashid bin Al Shaikh narrated to Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi the success stories of SBWC’s members in launching a diversity of brands and enterprises with the help of the entity’s well-rounded training, support ad consultative services. SBWC has been mentoring businesswomen and female entrepreneurs at different stages of their careers by providing training, workshops, key advice as well as administrative services to get set up.

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Arab News Business Woman

High digitalization among women-owned businesses

Women entrepreneurs lead the way in digital presence

An 80% of women entrepreneurs across the Middle East and Africa have a digital business presence according to MasterCard MEA SME Confidence Index…reports Asian Lite News

Despite the gender gap and social challenges, entrepreneurial women across the world and in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) are leading the way in tapping into the power of the digital economy to succeed and grow. In new research by Mastercard, women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) believe there are huge benefits of a cash-free economy to their businesses.

According to the inaugural Mastercard MEA SME Confidence Index, 81% of the region’s women entrepreneurs have a digital presence for their businesses, compared to 68% of their male counterparts. In terms of the digital footprint of the region’s women entrepreneurs, social media (71%) leads the way, followed by a company website (57%). In the Middle East and North Africa, more women entrepreneurs had a website (71%) than a social media presence (55%).

Women entrepreneurs lead the way in digital presence

These findings are aligned with Mastercard’s global commitment to connect 25 million women entrepreneurs to the digital economy by 2025, as part of its goal to build a more sustainable and inclusive world. 

“The Mastercard MEA SME Confidence Index revealed that over 80% of women entrepreneurs have digital readiness for their business compared to their male counterparts but yet so few have access to funding for their business growth. Globally, women-owned businesses are well represented in the entrepreneurship space, yet it is estimated* that they only access between 2 and 10% of commercial bank finance. This reflects the huge potential SME women entrepreneurs have when we accelerate their access to financial and digital tools which will enable greater gender parity in the business ecosystem,” said Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard.

From presence to payments, digital and cash-free economy leads

According to the Mastercard survey, confidence levels around digital transactions are high with 30% of women entrepreneurs in MEA experiencing no challenges in accepting more payments digitally versus cash payments-especially mobile payments (62%), online payments (57%), and card payments (45%).

In Southern Africa, this confidence is further elevated with two-thirds (67%) seeing no challenges to accepting more payments digitally.

Growing confidence levels in digital as a business imperative, is tied to a deeper understanding and wider recognition among SMEs of the advantages that result from a growing digital economy. When asked about the biggest benefits of a cash-free economy to their businesses, women entrepreneurs highlighted the increased efficiency of transactions across multiple channels (60%) and the ease of not handling or processing cash (60%).

They also appreciated having a more convenient way of paying suppliers and employees (59%), faster access to revenues (55%), less potential for fraud (53%) and access to new business growth opportunities (50%).

Women entrepreneurs are innovative risk-takers

In the 2020 Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE), evidence already emerged of how women business owners have reacted to a new world of work with renewed confidence and adaptability, tapping into new business opportunities or realigning their business models to cater to new consumer behavior and local or global needs.

Despite challenges around funding, support and attention, Uganda, Botswana, and Ghana were ranked as the world’s three leading economies having the most women business owners (WBO) as a percentage of total business owners in the 2020 MIWE.

The report also mentioned high regard for risk taking, innovativeness, individuality, and creativity in entrepreneurship prevalent in Nigeria and Angola. Growing the contribution of women entrepreneurs is a positive sign, as almost half of the female entrepreneurs (48.7%) around the world report being driven by a desire to contribute to the greater societal good.

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In addition to empowering women-led businesses everywhere with digital payments acceptance tools, Mastercard is also advancing social progress through financial literacy training to encourage the growth of entrepreneurship among women:

•             Sarah Beydoun, owner of a social impact fashion business in Lebanon, was one of the women entrepreneurs featured in the award-winning Mastercard documentary FIVE – just one of the technology company’s initiatives to encourage by collaborating with inspiring entrepreneurs who are making a positive change.

•             Through its partnership with Junior Achievement South Africa, Mastercard has empowered over 3,000 women to gain entrepreneurial skills, start their own ventures and create new jobs.

•             The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth awarded a seed funding grant to The Omaness Skinfood Company, which will empower 10,000 women entrepreneurs in Nigeria to run their own skinfood merchant businesses.

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-Top News Bangladesh Woman

Low conviction rate fuels human trafficking in B’desh

Bangladeshi women trafficking in UAE by the ring forced for sex - working.

The victims are mostly women and they were sexually abused in different places and trafficked to different countries, including UAE with the promise of good jobs….reports Sumi Khan

Lured by the offer of handsome salaried jobs in Dubai, Bangladeshi women are becoming victims of a human trafficking gang, according to police.

Bina Rani Das, Additional Superintendent of Police of RAB-3, said once the women reached Dubai, their passports were seized by the traffickers and they were forced to work as sex slaves.

The RAB-3 have arrested four suspects, including a woman, in connection to the crime from Demra in the capital, Keraniganj on the outskirts of the city and Manikganj district on August 1.

Rape. (File Photo: IANS)

The four suspects have been identified as Shamima Akhter, Shankar Biswas, Sheikh Hanif Miah and Jewel Hossain.

Das further said that the operation to nab the suspects was carried out when the mother of a victim came to the RAB-3 office and lodged a complaint.

The victims said that they were sexually abused in different places, including Dubai, after they were trafficked there in the name of good jobs.

According to the police, the gang trafficks women to different countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the promise of good jobs.

A large number of Bangladeshi women are falling victims to human trafficking every year and the low conviction rate in such cases is encouraging the perpetrators to continue.

Sources said that the gang members prepare all the papers, including passports, visas and tickets, for the targeted women.

However, there is a condition that the matter should be kept a secret from their family members.

Earlier, the trafficking rings used various tactics to traffic women with the support of travel agencies of the country.

Faruk Hossain, Deputy Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told IANS that the trafficking ring is a organised gang of women traffickers and they have been active in Bangladesh for long.

There are many Bangladeshi girls in Dubai. Many of them have fallen ill, but not sent to hospital for emergency treatment, not even back to Bangladesh .

The traffickers who are caught come out of jail taking the opportunity of the loopholes in the law, police officials told IANS, seeking anonymity.

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-Top News PAKISTAN Woman

Civil Society concerned over increasing violence against women in Pakistan

People wearing face masks walk on a road in Rawalpindi of Pakistan's Punjab province

The developments came after an attack on a woman at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore on August 14…reports Asian Lite News

The Board of Trustees of Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) expressed concerns over increasing attacks on women in the country.

The developments came after an attack on a woman at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore on August 14, JustEarth News reported.

Vice-Chairperson of TI Pakistan highlighted that Muhammad Ali Jinnah had “envisioned a Pakistan where women can stand shoulder to shoulder with men,” but the administration has failed so miserably in it.

In order to emerge as a prosperous nation, Pakistan has to safeguard the rights of women, provide them protection and put in place strong laws to hold those responsible for attacks on women accountable, Iqbal added.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of TIP Yasmeen Lari also said that protecting women in the country is a test case for the current government and our criminal justice system, JustEarth News reported the Business Recorder.

The safety of women has become a growing concern in Pakistan, which has in the recent past witnessed several instances of crimes against women, including rape and other crimes.

The News International in its editorial also raised concerns over the rights of women, their dignity and sense of respect in the country. Every day, it said, at least 11 women are raped in the country, and the rape of small girls – and boys – some no older than a few years in age.

Just recently, ugly images involving the sexual assault of a couple were flashed across social media. “This is not a rare occurrence – though the fact that this case’s video evidence went viral is what moved the police force to arrest the men responsible,” reported the publication.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also highlighted other forms of violence against women, which include sexual assault and domestic violence prevalent across the country.

The HRCP report cites that last year Pakistan completed the review of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in line with its fifth periodic report. (ANI)

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PAKISTAN Woman

Awful I-Day for Pakistan as woman TikToker faces brutal assault

Pic credit ANI

The woman has filed a complaint that a mob of around 400 people attacked her and also alleged that she kept crying for help but to no avail and no one came to her rescue…reports Asian Lite News

A horrifying video from Pakistan has emerged online in which hordes of men are seen groping, mauling and tearing off the clothes of a woman, who is famed for her videos on TikTok.

Several such horrific videos of the woman being “brutally attacked” in Lahore even as the country celebrated its Independence Day on August 14 have surfaced online and for a while, the incident was among top hashtags on Twitter #minarPakistan and #400 men were among the hashtags being used by outraged netizens who expressed their shock and disgust at the violence against the woman.

The woman has filed a complaint with police in which she alleged that a mob of around 400 people attacked her and her friends while she was filming a video near Minar-e-Pakistan on August 14, according to local media reports.

Pic credit ANI

“I was stripped and my clothes were torn apart,” she said alleging that the mob picked her up and started tossing her in the air, the Express Tribune quoted.

The woman also alleged that she kept crying for help but to no avail and no one came to her rescue.

Disturbing video clips widely circulated in social media show hundreds of men thrashing the woman, tearing her clothes and hurling it into the air.

She also alleged that her gold ornaments were “forcibly taken” by unidentified people in the crowd, while the mobile phone and cash were also “snatched”.

Maria Amir wrote in Dawn that there can be no more obvious metaphor for how depraved our society really is. It is hard to imagine a more powerful symbolic representation of how we have twisted the very meaning of ‘independence’ and ‘freedom’ to cater solely to one gender at the expense of another. There really is no other way to say it, we are in the midst of gender apartheid.

The incident took place at the Greater Iqbal Park area in Lahore according to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Lorry Adda police station in the city.

The annual report of the State of Human Rights in Pakistan released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) for the year 2020 amply describes the plight of women in the country.

The HRCP report has once again painted a concerning picture of the women’s rights situation in the country. The HRCP has highlighted forms of violence against women, which include sexual assault and domestic violence prevalent across the country. (ANI)

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-Top News UAE News Woman

UAE pledges AED 367 mn to support women’s education

This came during the participation of Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, in the GPE Replenishment Summit…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE has pledged AED 367 million ($100 mn) to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to support the strategic plan for educational programmes in developing countries, over the coming five years.

This came during the participation of Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, in the GPE Replenishment Summit organised by the UK and Kenya and the GPE to renew pledges on 28th and 29th July in London.

In her remarks, Reem Al Hashemy affirmed the UAE’s keenness and sustained efforts to provide quality education to children around the world. She also underscored the UAE’s determination to work in cooperation with its regional and international partners, such as the GPE, to develop the skills women, girls, and youth need for long-term success, in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic around the world.

Al Hashemy also emphasised the UAE’s firm belief in the pivotal role of education in supporting the sustainable development of societies around the world. This belief, Al Hashemy noted, has driven the UAE to host the RewirEd Global Education Summit in partnership with Dubai Cares and Expo 2020 Dubai and in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

RewirEd will be held at Expo 2020 Dubai with a clear vision to reshape the educational landscape for a prosperous, sustainable, innovative, and accessible future for all while showcasing the country’s development aid.

Al Hashemy also highlighted the key role of UAE foreign aid in nurturing international partnerships to support key sector development in developing and least developed countries, with education as a priority.

The UAE is working to ensure the provision of education to women and girls to support the fourth goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda, Al Hashemy explained, adding that the UAE also plays a prominent role in advancing the efforts undertaken by the GPE.

In 2018, the UAE pledged US$100 million to support the GPE at the 3rd replenishment conference in Dakar, Senegal, becoming the first Arab and Middle Eastern member in GPE.

The Global Partnership for Education is the largest global fund solely dedicated to transforming education in lower-income countries. Established in 2003, the programme works in partnership with donors, governments in developing countries, international organisations, the private sector, teacher associations, and civil society institutions.

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-Top News Asia News Woman

Protest flares up as Turkey quits treaty protecting women

Women in Turkey protest against withdrawal from gender protection treaty (Pic credits ANI)

Thousands of women protesters gathered on the Istiklal Avenue, chanting slogans against country’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention…reports Asian Lite News

Thousands of people took to the street on Thursday to denounce Turkey’s withdrawal from an international treaty designated to combat violence against women.

Large scale demonstration was witnessed after Turkey formally pulled out from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as Istanbul Convention, Al Jazeera reported.

Demonstrators clashed with police who fired tear gas in the country’s biggest city Istanbul. Women protesters gathered on the Istiklal Avenue, carrying banners and chanting slogans against the government. The police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, preventing them from proceeding toward the iconic Taksim square.

In March, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a decree annulling the country’s ratification of the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, which states that men and women have equal rights and obliges state authorities to take steps to prevent gender-based violence against women, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators.

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The convention seeks to prevent violence against women, including domestic violence, and bring an end to legal impunity for perpetrators.”The Istanbul Convention withdrawal will empower the perpetrators of violence while making the victims more powerless. So we have to take on the protection work that the authorities should do,” Gulsum Kav, Turkish feminist activist, told Al Jazeera.

Turkey’s shameful withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention will put millions of women and girls at greater risk of violence, Amnesty International said.

“President Erdogan’s announcement of the decision to quit the landmark treaty on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence will go down in history as the first time a Council of Europe member has withdrawn from an international human rights convention,” it added.

Erdogan said his country’s domestic regulations are sufficient to combat violence against women, Xinhua reported. Turkish President Erdogan on Thursday announced a new action plan for combating violence against women. “Just like our fight against violence toward women did not start with the Istanbul Convention, it will not end by withdrawing from this convention,” he said. (ANI)

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Lite Blogs Woman

A woman who transformed from lemonade-seller to cop

Annie said: “Ten years before I was selling ice-cream, candies, and lemonade, and now I am the Sub Inspector at the same place. What more revenge can I take against my yesterdays.”…reports Asian Lite News.

Annie Siva is a proud Sub-Inspector of Police at Kerala’s Varkala police station, under whose jurisdiction comes the famous Sivagiri Mutt founded by Sree Narayana Guru, one of the main spiritual leaders of the state who led a renaissance movement against caste, untouchability, and the necessity of education, leading to the all-round development of the state.

But what is remarkable that Annie, 31, who joined the Kerala Police as a Sub Inspector on June 25, was, ten years back, selling ice cream, candies and lemonade for a living at the same place near the Sivagiri Mutt.

Her complex story is also one of grit, determination, and self-confidence.

At the age of 18, she left her home to live with her college mate as she began graduation at Kanjiramkulam Government College, Thiruvananthapuram. However, her life turned for the worse after her liv-in partner left her and she, with her six-month-old boy Sivasurya, had to fight her life alone.

Her family did not let her back but was allowed to stay in a shanty adjacent to her grandparents’ home. Not to be cowed down, this gritty woman did all sorts of jobs, starting off her career by selling soap and detergent powder door to door. Then she turned to become an insurance agent, delivered groceries in a two-wheeler in the households, and did many other jobs for her, and her son’s survival.

Annie also had her cropped her hair like men.

Along with working, she, studying privately, completed her graduation in Sociology and joined a training institute for the Kerala State Public Service Commission at Thiruvananthapuram in 2014, cracked the police constable examination in 2016 and joined service. She appeared for the officers exam in 2019, cracked it and after training for one and half years is now a Sub Inspector of Police.

Annie said: “Ten years before I was selling ice-cream, candies, and lemonade, and now I am the Sub Inspector at the same place. What more revenge can I take against my yesterdays.”

In a state where women are now coming in the news for all the wrong reasons with back to back dowry deaths and many killing themselves over harassment at in-laws’, Annie Siva’s story is one of inspiration, adventure, determination and willpower.

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