In 1995, the United Nations declared March as the Women's
History Month to celebrate women's contributions and achievements. It is an
important milestone to celebrate every year, and this year's theme is
"Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, and Progress for all." However,
this past year has not been easy, with women being disproportionately impacted
by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With schools no longer operating traditionally, a majority
of the women have had to make tough decisions – many choosing to stay home to
care for their children. The female workforce participation has dipped to its
lowest in the past three decades. Those who continued to work from home have
had to cope with double shifts, including the never-ending list of household
chores. Women, no doubt, have carried the brunt of the current crisis.
But even during these challenging times, women, particularly
those who are visibly Muslim and women of colour, have proven their resilience
and emerged victoriously. As we honour women who have made history during this
month, we must also commemorate those who are making history as we speak.
On March 8, the Coalition of Muslim Women Kitchener Waterloo
(CMW) launched the Muslimah Stories Project – a collection of short stories –
to commemorate and celebrate Muslim refugee and immigrant women in Canada. The
project, which was launched on the tenth anniversary of the CMW, is a quest to
amplify the voices of these courageous women and shine a light on their
achievements.
These are the stories of joy and pain, loss and recovery,
loneliness, and powerful belonging. What does it feel like to move from country
to country, fleeing war and social turmoil, or in pursuit of better
opportunities for your families? These are stories of working together with the
hope to build up the community. Instead of fear, the women's stories celebrate
courage; instead of social isolation, the women's accounts speak eloquently of
relationship and risk.
While the fight for gender equality has come a long way,
it's a battle still raging for women who are visibly Muslim and of colour. Time
and again, Muslim women have continued to endure discrimination based on their
faith, the way they dress, and how they look. Racism, xenophobia, and
islamophobia are rampant in our society. A series of attacks on visibly Muslim
women in Edmonton last year and an ongoing ban on the headscarf and face
coverings in Quebec is a testimony to that.
The Muslimah Stories project highlights the struggles of
Muslim women who have moved to Canada from different countries as refugees and
immigrants. The project sheds light on our trailblazers and how they continue
to challenge stereotypes and lead their communities, from working in healthcare
as doctors and mental health professionals to working as engineers and in
technology. Muslim women are continuously pushing the boundaries and uplifting
our future generations of women higher. They strive to build a world where
every woman feels comfortable and confident to make their own choices.
Read more about the Muslimah Stories Project here: http://www.muslimahstories.ca/.
© 2021 Nasreen
Published in Waterloo Chronicles and Cambridge Times
https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/opinion-story/10356988-muslimah-stories-project-shines-spotlight-on-waterloo-region-s-muslim-refugee-and-immigrant-women/
