June 23, 2005
Join in the chant: "Women's rights NOT F-16s!"Profiles
Yesterday I wrote about a protest on behalf of Mukhtaran Bibi; today, over fifty people and half-a-dozen news organizations (including CNN, Dawn and VOA) showed up at the Pakistani embassy. Samia Khan, a Development Manager for MDRI (Mental Disability Rights International) and a NAPAWF (National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum) volunteer who was at the epicenter of today's event agreed to answer three questions for the Mutiny. You have no idea how sweet this woman is-- she had other plans and she shelved them just so you guys could get the latest knowledge on "the movement". Samia, you're my heroine.
Samia speaks:
Was it a success?
It was a success in terms of visibility and raising awareness of the issue and involving different organizations. There were at least 6-7 institutions that got involved, it was a multi-ethnic effort, too. It was a strong beginning.
It would be great if Mukhtaran Mai is free, if she gets her passport and can travel thats wonderful, but its important to remember that shes one voice, that there are thousands of cases like her, and that if policies dont change theres going to continue to be lip service to the international community but nothing will change things for women.
Whats next?
The follow-up to this needs to involve putting more pressure on the government of Pakistan, the international community as well as the administration here. They need to start holding Mushharaf accountable for having respect for humans rights, for women. The U.S. is turning a blind eye by giving him aid, but not questioning his policies towards woman and even children.
If someone was moved by this issue, how can they help?
One way to help is to support the schools shes built, because thats something shes invested in as a person. Mercy corps has been handling a lot of her donations. Also, it's important to follow-up with Amnesty International and other groups who are doing letter writing campaigns.(Note: Off record, I heard another source say that ANAA is coordinating one of these campaigns)
If you have connections to NGOs in Pakistan, they need to be active as well, in repealing Hudood ordinances that affect women who are accused of zina, that trap them.
:+:
Isn't she FIERCE? Samia moved to DC in September. She's 24 and you should know that she wore the baddest shoes ever as I interviewed her at Tryst-- it took all my negligible willpower to resist photographing them. ;) We bonded over the fact that she also knows the sublime blogger Sin and I blushed with an apposite sort of shame when she wished out loud that Adams Morgan weren't so annoying on the weekends (I'll try to visit less?). All of that is bliss-inducing enough; the fact that her eyes flash when she talks about her beef with injustice? Well, it's enough to make this vegetarian rethink her aversion to red meat. Inspired much? I am. NAPAWF membership, here I come.
anna on June 23, 2005 07:38 PM in Issues, Law, Profiles · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
Samia and I know each other; her elder sister is actually one of my best friends. She's quite fabulous. :) I'm glad it's showing.
You go girl! I'm a friend of Samia's and I knew the moment I met her that she's amazing and someone who will be your friend forever!
Anna, thank you so much for the sweet write up and your interest in this issue. I hope to see you at a NAPAWF meeting soon.
Mukhtaran Bibi and your article reminded me about this brave girl who gave her life two years back in her mission to make this world a better place. www.rachelcorrie.org
yo this is mad wack who cares for other people out in the world ...juss worry about your self and leave the rest alone and let them live life how its meant to be lived no matter what happens