With
the latest developments in technology and exciting career prospects people have
so much to look forward to. It becomes easier to express opinions and even easier
to say what you want but what happens when your opinion is ignored, when you are
not considered in decisions and when you have no identity of your own?
Nothing happens. You have no choice, no opportunities and no say in anything.
That is a problem only Asian women can relate to and is a problem that should
be emphasised upon and a reasonable solution should be displayed. Within today’s
social panel there are four levels.
Asian women have something to offer to society apart from chappati and curry  |
The first
level is obviously the White man, followed by the White woman, then it is the
ethnic minority male and finally it is the ethnic minority female. Women on this
level have not been recognised, maybe they are been held back or maybe they are
being ignored because of what they are. Whatever the reason may be I know that
nothing is being done for these women, nothing is available for these women.
Home protection
This
is not only a problem within our area but also a problem throughout the UK. Many
parents’ fear sending their daughters to college after high school because of
the increasing “stories” heard. Therefore they keep them home for their safety
and welfare. It may seem like a very protective and sensible thing to do but is
it? The parental point of view is understood what about the other side?
I always say that everyone has something in common with eachother and that is
dreams. We all have ambitions, we all want to be successful and achieve. Believe
it or not Asian women have ambitions too, further more they want an involvement,
an opinion, an identity.
Crescent Young Women
One step has
been taken by a group of eager young women from Longton. The group is called Crescent
Young Women; it is an organisation designed for the young Muslim woman of today.
The group provides opportunities for the women whether it is educationally, socially
or professionally.
The young women meet regularly every week to discuss
issues regarding them and come up with ideas to develop their learning. One event
that the group organised was a function to celebrate the birth of the Prophet
(PBUH), over a hundred Muslim women came to listen to teachings in English, Urdu
and Arabic. This is one example of how women can be recognised in society.
Interaction
Muslim women teach other women about their religion.
Not only does the group teach about religion but also allows the young women to
interact and develop technical, communication and physical skills. Various enjoyable
events and activities have been held especially for Asian women.
We
need more groups and organisations like that for Asian women. Through these groups
women have an identity, a chance at life and a chance to achieve. It is not easy
for the groups to start, as there are stereotypical obstacles to overcome.
Living in a Western world one can be easily mislead, but groups like Crescent
Young Women provide a decent opportunity for young women in a modernised area
but also carry the cultural and religious influences with them. They teach others
about who and what they are, Asian, Muslim and British women. Therefore these
groups are representatives of Asian women who adhere to their religion and also
achieve their ambitions without being misguided into doing the wrong.
Stereotypical abuse
Asian women do not suffer from racial discrimination
but are the subjects of stereotypical abuse. When an traditional Asian woman is
walking down a street, dressed in the traditional clothing of salwar, kameez and
a dupatta the first thing that comes in someone’s mind would be that she is a
housewife, always cooking and cleaning.
However they would never think
that this woman could also be a member of a group, or a student or even be a working
woman. We need to remove such ideas; people need to acknowledge the abilities
of Asian women.
A woman can not always hide behind a man, she has to
make use of the opportunities available to her and she has to create her own character.
She needs to build self-respect for herself and other women in the world.
Increasing pressures
As a young woman I can understand the increasing
pressures of living in a society where your culture is not understood therefore
I also understand the desperate need of such organisations that provide learning
for people who have no understanding.
Asian women have something to
offer to society apart from chappati and curry; they offer a deeper and more meaningful
education. They offer uniqueness and most importantly offer self-respect for all
ethnic women seeking a voice, a future, waiting to be heard, waiting to be acknowledged.
It only takes one small step and before you know it you are walking.
Groups like Crescent Young Women have taken the first step; it is up to the rest
to begin the walking...
NY
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
