Eid Celebrations Amidst Ongoing Struggles for Afghan Women
Narges Andar, a refugee baker in Sydney, reflects on the challenges faced by Afghan girls as Eid festivities approach.
As the Eid festivities approach, Narges Andar, a refugee from Afghanistan now residing in Sydney, finds herself busy fulfilling cake orders.
Her self-taught baking skills have allowed her to create delicately decorated cakes, which are increasingly sought after for celebrations.
Andar emphasizes the communal aspect of food during Eid, stating, "Sharing is done through food, showing love and appreciation and affection.
So having that cake and everyone enjoying it at the same time is a wonderful blessing." Despite the increasing costs of quality ingredients, she maintains a commitment to keeping her prices low, viewing her baking as a passion rather than a profit-driven endeavor.
Residing in Sydney with her husband and two children, Andar expresses pride in her creations.
However, she feels a deep concern for the state of education for girls in Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban took control of the country and ceased secondary education for women in 2020, UNICEF has estimated that approximately 2.2 million girls have been affected.
By 2030, it is predicted that over four million girls will have their education curtailed at the primary level.
She shared her dismay at the plight of these girls, describing the emotional toll of seeing young women unable to complete their studies.
"It's really disheartening to see the women or the girls that had to leave their education half finished.
Maybe they will not be able to live the dream that they had of becoming a doctor, for example, or a lawyer," she stated.
This concern drives Andar to support remote educational initiatives for girls in Afghanistan.
Andar recalls her early life in Kabul, describing harrowing memories of conflict.
"The skies being lit up and me thinking that it's fireworks where it was actually conflict going on," she recounted, highlighting the traumatic experiences that have shaped her understanding of hardship.
Similarly, Dr. Parisa Glass, an academic at the University of New South Wales, also fled conflict, this time in Iran.
She founded the justice inclusion initiative JEINA (meaning life-giver in Kurdish) which aims to create pathways for displaced women.
Her initiative was established in 2022 in response to the protests in Iran following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a woman whose incarceration brought significant attention to women’s rights in the country.
Dr. Glass notes that the reasons for forced migration are numerous, including war, human rights violations, and climate change.
She advocates for the improvement of outcomes for displaced individuals, acknowledging the various barriers they face, such as finding employment, dealing with domestic violence, and maintaining mental health.
JEINA has reportedly broadened opportunities for hundreds of women, and Dr. Glass hopes to expand its reach, aiming to develop a substantial mentoring network that partners with various industries to support these women.
As Ramadan comes to a conclusion, Andar reflects on the importance of gratitude and kindness, wishing for all women to have reasons to celebrate.
"Being grateful and appreciative of what you have because that’s what fasting represents," she remarked, encapsulating a message of hope amidst the challenges faced by many.
Her self-taught baking skills have allowed her to create delicately decorated cakes, which are increasingly sought after for celebrations.
Andar emphasizes the communal aspect of food during Eid, stating, "Sharing is done through food, showing love and appreciation and affection.
So having that cake and everyone enjoying it at the same time is a wonderful blessing." Despite the increasing costs of quality ingredients, she maintains a commitment to keeping her prices low, viewing her baking as a passion rather than a profit-driven endeavor.
Residing in Sydney with her husband and two children, Andar expresses pride in her creations.
However, she feels a deep concern for the state of education for girls in Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban took control of the country and ceased secondary education for women in 2020, UNICEF has estimated that approximately 2.2 million girls have been affected.
By 2030, it is predicted that over four million girls will have their education curtailed at the primary level.
She shared her dismay at the plight of these girls, describing the emotional toll of seeing young women unable to complete their studies.
"It's really disheartening to see the women or the girls that had to leave their education half finished.
Maybe they will not be able to live the dream that they had of becoming a doctor, for example, or a lawyer," she stated.
This concern drives Andar to support remote educational initiatives for girls in Afghanistan.
Andar recalls her early life in Kabul, describing harrowing memories of conflict.
"The skies being lit up and me thinking that it's fireworks where it was actually conflict going on," she recounted, highlighting the traumatic experiences that have shaped her understanding of hardship.
Similarly, Dr. Parisa Glass, an academic at the University of New South Wales, also fled conflict, this time in Iran.
She founded the justice inclusion initiative JEINA (meaning life-giver in Kurdish) which aims to create pathways for displaced women.
Her initiative was established in 2022 in response to the protests in Iran following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a woman whose incarceration brought significant attention to women’s rights in the country.
Dr. Glass notes that the reasons for forced migration are numerous, including war, human rights violations, and climate change.
She advocates for the improvement of outcomes for displaced individuals, acknowledging the various barriers they face, such as finding employment, dealing with domestic violence, and maintaining mental health.
JEINA has reportedly broadened opportunities for hundreds of women, and Dr. Glass hopes to expand its reach, aiming to develop a substantial mentoring network that partners with various industries to support these women.
As Ramadan comes to a conclusion, Andar reflects on the importance of gratitude and kindness, wishing for all women to have reasons to celebrate.
"Being grateful and appreciative of what you have because that’s what fasting represents," she remarked, encapsulating a message of hope amidst the challenges faced by many.
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