By Aerusha Jenal Lalbahadur
As we come to the end of Women’s Month on 31 August, celebrating the great strides made by women in society, Phoenix resident and activist, Khatija Nabi said more still needs to be done to protect and honour the role that women play in building communities.
Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, Nabi said it must be acknowledged that women are the most valued members of our families, societies and communities but they are often overlooked.
She said: “Working in the community and witnessing first-hand the injustices committed against women and widows, I was inspired to champion their cause. It gives me a great sense of joy to assist and empower another women, however I hope that women in the community are made more aware of gender-base violence. Women must rise up against the oppression and the scourge of GBV and femicide,” she said.
The community activist said her humble beginnings have made her the strong woman that she is today.
“I enjoy the simple things of life and am eternally grateful to my parents for the values and principles that they have instilled in me. I have been a community activist from the tender age of 23 years old and from there, there was no turning back. What keeps me grounded is that I do not take any person or anything for granted. I believe that nothing is permanent in life, and we must treat every person with the respect they deserve,” said Nabi.
Speaking on Women’s Month celebrations, Nabi expressed her gratitude at how the day has evolved over the years and how it is now devoted completely to women for an entire month. She believes that women should be given their appropriate role in society, both politically and economically.
Nabi advised women who are encountering challenges to never give up, stand strong and to never allow any person to intimidate, abuse or exploit them as no problem is too big to solve.
“Life is not meant to be easy. There will forever be difficulties in our lives. As women, our greatest weakness lies in giving up. My advice to women facing tough times is to never give up and stay strong. Don’t allow anyone to take advantage of your unique personality. Our purpose in life is determined by how we overcome these obstacles. Tough times never last, but strong women do,” said Nabi.
Nabi has played her part in numerous organisations and helped assist many community members. She said working with these organisations has helped her journey to assist those in need.
“While working as the chairperson for ward 51 War Room Operation Sakuma Sakhe, I engaged with all governmental departments and stakeholders. At the war room we dealt with civic and social welfare issues of the community. During my tenure at the clinic, I had initiated the breakfast feeding scheme partnership with relevant stakeholders. Patients were served a nutritious breakfast daily which ran successfully for a period of 10 years. Working as the Treasure at Foreshaven Secondary, I had initiated financial reforms and formulated creative methods of recovering school fees for a cash strapped school and as the Chairperson of the Developing Lives Foundation we initiated numerous poverty alleviation, wheelchair, and social welfare programmes,” said Nabi.
As the chairperson of the Healing Hearts Widows Association Support Group, Nabi said her vision is to ensure that widows’ voices and challenges are not just seen, but also heard and to encourage widows from all walks of life to learn from each other by sharing their stories in a non-judgmental way.
Her future plans are to develop the Healing Hearts Widows Association Support Group into an information powerhouse that provides widows with the counselling, support, and capacity-building programmes they need.
“The Widows’ Support Group will partner with relevant stakeholders and government officials to enact social and economic reforms to improve widows’ access to inheritances, pensions, and other social protections. There is also a need to ensure that fiscal policies and economic relief are inclusive of widows, who are highly prejudiced in society,” said Nabi.
