Awatef Rasheed
Encyclopedia
Awatef Rasheed Arabic: عواطف تركي رشيد(born 1956 in Basra
, Iraq
) is an Iraqi Canadian
writer, secular women’s rights activist, and the first Iraqi female recipient of Femmy Award. She is a recipient of the Iraqi Women’s Initiative Award in from the Iraqi Women’s Network in 2010. Awatef Rasheed is currently a Regional Advisor for the ,Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Rights in USA and a Board member for the Canadian Research Institute for Advancement of Women (CRIAW) and previously served on the steering committee for Feminists for Just and Equitable Public Policy (FemJEPP). She has also been a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women, and a representative for the Iraqi Al-Amal Association ,
Awatef writes and publishes in both Arabic and English
. Her blog is in Arabic: Women of Iraq. It is addressed to Arabic audience and aimed at discussing gender issues and women's lives and rights directly with Iraqis, males and females. She believes that superiority is granted to Males over Females in Iraq, and other Middle Eastern countries, for virtue of their gender by political, social, religious, and economic powers.
Throughout her entire adult life, Awatef has struggled against the repressive norms of a male-dominated, “Middle Eastern” society under “Saddam Hussein
”’s dictatorship and the repercussions of her decision to remove herself from that horrible situation. Since fleeing her country of origin, Iraq
and moving to Canada
, Awatef has coupled her life experiences with academic study and professional activism to push for greater women’s rights in Iraq
and around the world. Awatef attended: Acadia University
, Mount St. Vincent University and she completed a Master’s of Arts in Women’s Studies, Saint Mary's University
in 2008. Her thesis for the requirements of the Master’s degree is: Iraqi Women: Mechanisms of Overshadowing, Subordination and Inferiorization
Awatef is also affiliated with the International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada and with another international organization, based in UK, Women Living Under Muslim Laws
From 2007 to 2010, Awatef Rasheed was a Diplomatic Relations Liaison for the Canadian Council of the Blind - National Office in Ottawa
. She accomplished three major projects aiming at serving the blind and people with disabilities all over the world. The first project with embassies was Dining with Ambassadors to Fight Blindness, the second project was "Blind-folded Curling for Embassies" and the third is a fundraising cookbook, in which 105 embassies took part, "Kitchens of the World"
In 2007, Awatef Rasheed was a Research Associate and Associate Writer for the Research Resource Division for Refugees RRDR at Carleton University
and was a part of a team in conducting a research on Building Capacity for Welcoming Communities: Resources for Immigrant-Serving Organizations to Understand and Fight Racism. She worked for other organizations such as: Peacebuild Canada/ Peacebuilding Gender Working Group, Kings County Learning Association, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(HRSDC) and taught as a substitute teacher in some High Schools in Annapolis Valley
in NS after obtaining the Nova Scotia
Teachers ‘Certificate.
Back in Iraq, Awatef Rasheed obtained a Bachelor of Education
, English Department, University of Basra in 1979 and taught English as a Second Language at community college level such as: The Fine Arts Institute in Basra
City, Higher Institute for Teachers ‘Training in Baghdad
, Higher Institute for Teachers ‘Training in Kirkuk
, and Higher Institute for Teachers ‘Training in Erbil
. She taught English as a Second Language in Kayseri
Province in Turkey
.
Awatef Rasheed was also a Media journalist, news anchor, for the Basra
TV Directorate, Iraqi Ministry of Information (1972 -1986).
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
) is an Iraqi Canadian
Iraqi Canadian
Iraqi Canadians come from a country of great ethno-linguistic and religious diversity. An estimated 36,000 Iraqi expatriates reside in Canada. Several thousand Canadians are of Iraqi descent.-History:...
writer, secular women’s rights activist, and the first Iraqi female recipient of Femmy Award. She is a recipient of the Iraqi Women’s Initiative Award in from the Iraqi Women’s Network in 2010. Awatef Rasheed is currently a Regional Advisor for the ,Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Rights in USA and a Board member for the Canadian Research Institute for Advancement of Women (CRIAW) and previously served on the steering committee for Feminists for Just and Equitable Public Policy (FemJEPP). She has also been a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women, and a representative for the Iraqi Al-Amal Association ,
Awatef writes and publishes in both Arabic and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. Her blog is in Arabic: Women of Iraq. It is addressed to Arabic audience and aimed at discussing gender issues and women's lives and rights directly with Iraqis, males and females. She believes that superiority is granted to Males over Females in Iraq, and other Middle Eastern countries, for virtue of their gender by political, social, religious, and economic powers.
Throughout her entire adult life, Awatef has struggled against the repressive norms of a male-dominated, “Middle Eastern” society under “Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
”’s dictatorship and the repercussions of her decision to remove herself from that horrible situation. Since fleeing her country of origin, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and moving to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Awatef has coupled her life experiences with academic study and professional activism to push for greater women’s rights in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and around the world. Awatef attended: Acadia University
Acadia University
Acadia University is a predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level...
, Mount St. Vincent University and she completed a Master’s of Arts in Women’s Studies, Saint Mary's University
Saint Mary's University
St. Mary's University is the name of several universities:In Canada:*St...
in 2008. Her thesis for the requirements of the Master’s degree is: Iraqi Women: Mechanisms of Overshadowing, Subordination and Inferiorization
Awatef is also affiliated with the International Campaign Against Sharia Court in Canada and with another international organization, based in UK, Women Living Under Muslim Laws
From 2007 to 2010, Awatef Rasheed was a Diplomatic Relations Liaison for the Canadian Council of the Blind - National Office in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. She accomplished three major projects aiming at serving the blind and people with disabilities all over the world. The first project with embassies was Dining with Ambassadors to Fight Blindness, the second project was "Blind-folded Curling for Embassies" and the third is a fundraising cookbook, in which 105 embassies took part, "Kitchens of the World"
In 2007, Awatef Rasheed was a Research Associate and Associate Writer for the Research Resource Division for Refugees RRDR at Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
and was a part of a team in conducting a research on Building Capacity for Welcoming Communities: Resources for Immigrant-Serving Organizations to Understand and Fight Racism. She worked for other organizations such as: Peacebuild Canada/ Peacebuilding Gender Working Group, Kings County Learning Association, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
The Department of Human Resources and Skills Development , operating under the FIP applied title Human Resources and Skills Development Canada , is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for developing, managing and delivering a variety of social programs and services...
(HRSDC) and taught as a substitute teacher in some High Schools in Annapolis Valley
Annapolis Valley
The Annapolis Valley is a valley and region in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. It is located in the western part of the Nova Scotia peninsula, formed by a trough between two parallel mountain ranges along the shore of the Bay of Fundy.-Geography:...
in NS after obtaining the Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
Teachers ‘Certificate.
Back in Iraq, Awatef Rasheed obtained a Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Education
A Bachelor of Education is an undergraduate academic degree which qualifies the graduate as a teacher in schools.-North America:...
, English Department, University of Basra in 1979 and taught English as a Second Language at community college level such as: The Fine Arts Institute in Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
City, Higher Institute for Teachers ‘Training in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
, Higher Institute for Teachers ‘Training in Kirkuk
Kirkuk
Kirkuk is a city in Iraq and the capital of Kirkuk Governorate.It is located in the Iraqi governorate of Kirkuk, north of the capital, Baghdad...
, and Higher Institute for Teachers ‘Training in Erbil
Erbil
Arbil may refer to:* Arbil, fourth largest city in Iraq* Arbil Governorate* Arbil International Airport...
. She taught English as a Second Language in Kayseri
Kayseri
Kayseri is a large and industrialized city in Central Anatolia, Turkey. It is the seat of Kayseri Province. The city of Kayseri, as defined by the boundaries of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality, is structurally composed of five metropolitan districts, the two core districts of Kocasinan and...
Province in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Awatef Rasheed was also a Media journalist, news anchor, for the Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
TV Directorate, Iraqi Ministry of Information (1972 -1986).
Publications
- Sexual Violence at Wars and Post-conflict Situations, Chapter, in progress, 2010 (English)
- Dr. Nawal Al –Saádawi: A Feminist from the Arab World, Article, Asdaá Newspaper, Montreal , 2008 ; issue # 6 (Arabic)
- Honour Killing of Immigrant Girls in Canada, Article, Asdaá Newspaper, Montreal, 2008; issue # 8 (Arabic)
- Raping Women as a Political Destructive Tool, Asdaá Newspaper, Montreal, 2008; issue # 15 (Arabic)
- Silenced Iraqi Women: Real Experiences of Women in Iraq, Book, in progress (English)
Arabic Media
- Amman Jordan, August 10, 2010
- Kitabat, June 26, 2010
- Kitabat, August 16, 2010
- Iraqi Women's League, July 10, 2010
- The Iraqi Democratic Union in USA; January 4, 2011
- Voice of Iraq, November 08, 2011
- Iraqi Women's League, February 28, 2011
- Iraqi People ( Al- Nass), February 22, 2011
- Kitabat, August 6, 2010
- Mashriqyat, Zeena Al Saffar, April 17, 2010
Lectures
- Panel discussant at the 2009 International Women’s Day “Women’s Leadership” / Correctional Services of Canada, March 2009 (Ottawa)
- Invited lecturer at Carleton University: Gender, Migration and Development, June 2007
- National research participation (solicited by universities and women’s organizations in Calgary, Halifax, and Winnipeg). Immigrant Women, Family Violence, and Pathways Out of Homelessness, Halifax, NS, 2006
- Harvard Law School (2005) Personal Law in Iraq; Boston/USA (lecture)
- John F. Kennedy School of Government (2005) Gender in Iraq, Boston/ USA (lecture)
- Lectures and panels against war at: Acadia University, Saint Mary’s University, Dalhousie University, St. Francis Xavier University, St. Thomas University, and St. Stephen’s University (NB), (2003–2006)
- The Pearson Peacekeeping Centre/ NS (2001)