Jagriti International

Desert Post Weekly - September 11, 2003

Healing Words, Bridging worlds

Six emerging women leaders from Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Pakistan are scheduled to speak in the Coachella Valley

By Mona M. de Crinis
Desert Post Weekly - September 11

As people around the country-and around the world-solemnly remember those who lost their lives in the tragedy of 9/11 two years ago today, a group of women is preparing to bring a message of hope for the future to the Coachella Valley.

On Thursday, Sept. 18 a "Power Lunch" sponsored by the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce and the Desert Post Weekly will feature women leaders from Afghanistan, Iran, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

Jagriti-a Sanskrit word meaning to awaken. To rouse from a state resembling sleep, as from death, stupidity, or inaction; to put into action; to give new life to. . .

The six women are embarking on a three-month internship program, Bridging Worlds, in the U.S., sponsored by Jagriti International, an organization dedicated to providing women opportunities for rich cultural exchange with women's organizations from around the world. While here, they will focus on enhancing various skills that will be of priceless value to their home organizations. In return, they will teach U.S. host organizations and families about their country, experiences and culture.

The lunch, which is being held at the Doral/Desert Princess Resort at a cost of only $15 (for members with RSVP; $20 for non-members and members without reservations) is a unique opportunity to "hear the voice of grassroots women and their organizations and share thoughts about bridging the world."

Each woman will speak briefly about her home and the organization which she represents. These are stories that promise to amaze, inspire, enlighten and astound.

Attendees will hear how Indira Ghale, 36, of Nepal, overcame her stigma as a member of the "dalit" (untouchable) caste to use theexperience of overt discrimination as fuel in the fight against it. A primary teacher today, she recalls how difficult it was being born not only a dalit, but also a female.

"When I was born my father did not see my face for 10 days because I was a daughter," Ghale writes. "I was encouraged to study by my mother, who wanted me to have a better life than herself, so that I could lead other women of the community."

Kabita Upadhyay, 39, also from Nepal, dreams of opening a shelter and treatment facility for women with mental illness to prevent them from turning to the streets, destined to a life of humiliation. As a senior programme officer of Tewa (www.tewa.org.np) in Katmandu, Upadhyay is in charge of the organization's volunteer fund-raising program. "Tewa is a Nepali word which means 'support,'" she explains. "It is a philanthropic organization and the only women's fund in Nepal." The organization, Upadhyay continues, aims to increase the self-reliance of Nepalese by reducing dependency on foreign donors and inculcating the habit in Nepali men and women to donate regularly for the sustainable development of the country. "Tewa tries to create awareness throughout Nepali society about the value of philanthropic giving for equitable development and the empowerment of women through its Volunteer Development Program," Upadhyay further elaborates. "It is like a maternal home for some of the volunteers and a learning space for others. A few say that they have found the meaning of their lives only after coming to Tewa since they had lost all hope and love for life after the death of their husbands."

From Pakistan, Ayesha Mahmood, at only 22 years of age, serves as the youth coordinator of Struggle for Change (SACH: www.sachonline.org), an organization that works toward rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors of organized violence and torture, with an emphasis on women and children because they traditionally suffer the most abuse. Her passion is working with abused young people utilizing her experience teaching web development and computer applications.

With respect to her commitment as a Bridging Worlds emerging leader volunteer, Mahmood says she considers it to be "a challenge and a huge stepping-stone for my future endeavors."

"I believe one of my strengths is my versatility to either be a leader or a pawn, depending on what is called upon me," she continues.

Another 22-year-old, Sadiqa Basiri, is poised to use her internship opportunity to effect positive change for women in her home country of Afghanistan. Already the assistant director and director of internal affairs of the Afghan Women's Network in Kabul, Afghanistan and Peshawar, Pakistan. Basiri is committed to education. She has opened a primary school for girls in Afghanistan and says she hopes for better educational opportunities for women in her country. "My dream is to see my sisters well educated in a peaceful Afghanistan," she says. "They should be able to raise their voices to get their rights, since I can't stand seeing them tortured and murdered in the name of honor anymore. I would love to work to help street children who are orphans and who beg for money and food on the streets to support their families."

Working with women and adolescents is of primary importance to Maryma Scotlin, 29, from Chenai (Madras), India. "Scotty" as she is known, has a post-graduate degree in English literature and is a self-professed people-person. As the educational program coordinator for the Center for Women's Development and Research in India, Scotlin has ample opportunity to work directly with individuals in an avocation which, she says, suits her perfectly.

"I am very energetic, flexible, love to travel a lot and have chosen to remain single, so that I can spend more hours for others rather than for myself," she reveals.

The final participant in Jagriti International's Bridging Worlds program is Pushpa N. Prakash, from Bangalore, India whose commitment to women's issues is almost matched by her passion for traveling, meeting new people and…volleyball. The 33-year-old has received numerous awards for her proficiency in the sport, including the title of state champion.

While the individual accomplishments of the six speakers who will be presented at the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce Power Lunch are uniquely varied and unilaterally engaging, it is their united effort to create a more harmonious, healthy and supportive environment for the world's women-and the world in general-that makes them truly the unsung heroes of tomorrow.