Maldives ibu's Eyes

Washington -- When Mariya Ahmed Didi tried to organize the first women’s rights rally in Maldives in March 2006, she was assaulted by critics who threw bags of oil at her and had her motorbike run off the road by a car filled with government supporters.
Remarkably, however, the rally -- which protested a plainclothes police officer arresting a female activist at her home late at night -- was conducted peacefully as planned and without incident. In one public interview, she said, “It is time for women to let the authorities know that we want these abuses to stop. After all, we make up half the voting population. It’s time to make our presence felt.”
Didi is no stranger to adversity – she is one of only six women in the 50-member parliament, and one of only two elected women (the other four were appointed by the president of Maldives). She campaigned for her position as an independent when she was five months pregnant with her third child. “I wanted to be sure the child inside me would get some rights,” she told USINFO in an interview.
Didi’s determination to affect political reform in her country and greater rights for women has won her recognition from the United States; on March 7, she was awarded the International Women of Courage Award.
This new award is the result of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s desire to recognize women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating women’s rights and advancement.
Didi was joined by nine other women who received this award during a special ceremony at the U.S. Department of State. The other awardees represented Afghanistan, Argentina, Indonesia, Iraq, Latvia, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe. They were selected from 82 women of courage who were nominated by U.S. embassies worldwide. (See related article.)
Maldives, with a population of less than 300,000, comprises 1,191 islands in the Indian Ocean. Despite the criticism leveled at Didi for her activism, she said she is pleased to be receiving the U.S. award because it will give Americans and the world a better look at Maldives. “Closer scrutiny will speed reforms,” Didi told USINFO.
Although Didi won her election to parliament as an independent, she later joined the nascent opposition in November 2005, six months after political parties were legally recognized in Maldives. She told USINFO: “I want to be known as a party member, not just as a woman in parliament.”
In the two years she has left in her term, Didi hopes to see constitutional reform make some headway. Proposals for change, she said, have been languishing for more than two years.
Although Sunni Islam is the official religion in Maldives, Didi told USINFO she is concerned fundamentalists are entering the moderate Muslim nation and advocating greater repression of women. She denounced those who use religion as a stepping stone to political power.
Educated in India and earning her law degree in the United Kingdom, Didi told USINFO that she has been denounced by Islamic critics as a “messenger from the pope” simply because she had studied in countries that have a Christian presence. Nonetheless, she became the first qualified female lawyer in Maldives.
She has been quoted in the press as saying: “I think the [Maldives] regime and broader establishment have a problem with women in politics. They don‘t like women who have their own voice. … “[O]nce a woman enters politics and voices dissent, she is made to look like a prostitute.”
Didi told USINFO that her entire life has prepared her for dealing with adversity. “They can’t touch me in here,” she said, pointing to her heart. Reflecting on the privations suffered by her countrymen, she said, “People get strength from us and join us.”
For more information on U.S. policies, see Women in the Global Community.
(USINFO is produced by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

The Real Meaning of Adventure

What is adventure? Some people believe that adventure is not just that extreme and dangerous experience that one could find existing. On the contrary, they believe that it is an attitude that helps us face the obstacles present in our daily routine. For example, the challenges we have to deal with, the new and different options that life offers, the unknown that is at all time waiting for us, represent an adventure in itself. And it is in this adventure that the human beings discover themselves.

The word adventure has different meanings for different people. Generally, adventure implies thrill and excitement, risks and dangers, and the unexpected and extraordinary experiences. The adventurous people are always on the look out for things that will evoke new feelings and sensations. This is the definition of adventure commonly accepted. However, there are others for whom adventure means much more than this. They associate adventure with a certain bent of mind that helps them enjoy life to the fullest, by accepting it as it unfolds before them. They see opportunities in difficulties and treat hurdles as stepping-stones. They accept everything knowing very well that there is nothing without its pluses and minuses.

Therefore, life is seen as an adventure in itself. It is the manner in which you decide to view and live your own life. And the approach you have to life will certainly affect the way you experience this mysterious journey which we are part of. Some people believe that traveling, sightseeing or hanging on a rope is what an adventure stands for. But the problem may be that they are not experiencing their life as an exploration and their boring life leads them to lookfor excitement outside themselves.

This hidden and deeper meaning of adventure can only be understood by changing one's point of view towards life. This will not only enable you to identify the raison d'etre of your life, but will also help you recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and accept yourself as a person. However, one needs to realize that one just doesn't stumble upon adventures just like that. It is only through discovering our own strengths that we can uncover these adventures, and derive wisdom from them. As human beings, we are posed in the world in such a manner that we are compulsive adventurers. And, being so, we are capable of shaping our own lives and destinies, through a positive and constructive approach.

Life is a rare opportunity. With a little faith we can change the very meaning of life. Hurdles and obstacles can be used as openings and opportunities to discover the extent of our strength and courage. The secret lies in living life as an ever-new, ever-fresh adventure and being open to accepting whatever comes our way.

Old day

Old day..but still on road

Maldives Woman Spearheads Reform, Pushes for Women’s Rights

a tallest nice building..still under sonctrustion!!

Flickr Photographer and my friend M O D E

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