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Tribune News Network
Doha
The belief that there is always more than one way of supporting a person – money isn’t the only form of help; values of generosity, empathy and compassion are powerful tools to help others with –was passed on to Alina Zaman by her grandmother Naseera Begum. In turn, she inspired the building blocks that converted Zaman’s research project into an actual social enterprise. One that empowers women from marginalised societies and brings positive changes in their lives.
“In the beginning of my master’s programme in Islam and Global Affairs (IGA) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Dr Evren Tok, associate professor and programme coordinator at the College of Islamic Studies, told us that he wanted us to create and work on research projects that wouldn’t be stacked in a cupboard, but projects whose outcomes will create an impact,” Zaman, a graduate of Qatar Foundation’s HBKU said.
One of the key components of the IGA programme at HBKU is the integrated lab (I-Lab) research which focuses on a complex global issue and requires collaboration with an international organisation to produce research and a solution that can be applied in the real world.
Zaman’s I-Lab project initially focused on Islamic Relief Pakistan, with the support of Dr Hany El Banna, founder of Islamic Relief; her I-Lab project then grew into Qatra, a nonprofit start-up.
“Based on Dr El Banna’s suggestions, my colleague and I decided to conduct our study to explore how Islamic Relief Pakistan is using its vocational training skills programmes to empower widows.”
During her field work, Zaman discovered that women received training in one of three areas: stitching, embroidery or beauty services. After completing their training, women were given financial support to begin earning a sustainable livelihood, either by starting a home-based business in one of these areas, or by working in a production unit facilitated by an NGO.
According to Zaman, the main outcome of the I-Lab research project was the development of a women’s empowerment model focused on three key elements: a rural participatory approach, self-help groups, and sustainable development.
“While visiting the centre for embroidery stitching, I talked to one of the widow artisans named Nazish. She voiced her desire to sell her embroidered dresses to an international market, but stated that she did not have the required marketing knowledge and technological skills, or a reliable mediator who could assist her with accessing international markets. Like Nazish, there are many highly skilled artisans around the globe, who are unable to achieve their economic and creative potential due to logistical constraints.”
Zaman explained that it was after visiting and talking to artisans like Nazish that she was highly motivated to do something to support these women, and that is how Qatra was born.
Qatra, meaning “drop” in Arabic, stems from the aim to create a “drop of hope” for these women, according to Zaman. It was inspired by a quote from Persian poet Rumi, which says, “You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop”.
Through Qatra, the team provides less privileged female artisans with an online platform to market their high-quality and unique handmade products and help sell their products to an international audience.
Qatra is currently partnered with seven NGOs in Pakistan, Jordan and Yemen. It is also engaged with Syrian and Palestinian refugee artisans in Jordan, who have created products relevant to the Qatari market. All their products – beaded bags, necklaces, tea coasters – are available for sale on the Education City Marketplace.
Doha
The belief that there is always more than one way of supporting a person – money isn’t the only form of help; values of generosity, empathy and compassion are powerful tools to help others with –was passed on to Alina Zaman by her grandmother Naseera Begum. In turn, she inspired the building blocks that converted Zaman’s research project into an actual social enterprise. One that empowers women from marginalised societies and brings positive changes in their lives.
“In the beginning of my master’s programme in Islam and Global Affairs (IGA) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Dr Evren Tok, associate professor and programme coordinator at the College of Islamic Studies, told us that he wanted us to create and work on research projects that wouldn’t be stacked in a cupboard, but projects whose outcomes will create an impact,” Zaman, a graduate of Qatar Foundation’s HBKU said.
One of the key components of the IGA programme at HBKU is the integrated lab (I-Lab) research which focuses on a complex global issue and requires collaboration with an international organisation to produce research and a solution that can be applied in the real world.
Zaman’s I-Lab project initially focused on Islamic Relief Pakistan, with the support of Dr Hany El Banna, founder of Islamic Relief; her I-Lab project then grew into Qatra, a nonprofit start-up.
“Based on Dr El Banna’s suggestions, my colleague and I decided to conduct our study to explore how Islamic Relief Pakistan is using its vocational training skills programmes to empower widows.”
During her field work, Zaman discovered that women received training in one of three areas: stitching, embroidery or beauty services. After completing their training, women were given financial support to begin earning a sustainable livelihood, either by starting a home-based business in one of these areas, or by working in a production unit facilitated by an NGO.
According to Zaman, the main outcome of the I-Lab research project was the development of a women’s empowerment model focused on three key elements: a rural participatory approach, self-help groups, and sustainable development.
“While visiting the centre for embroidery stitching, I talked to one of the widow artisans named Nazish. She voiced her desire to sell her embroidered dresses to an international market, but stated that she did not have the required marketing knowledge and technological skills, or a reliable mediator who could assist her with accessing international markets. Like Nazish, there are many highly skilled artisans around the globe, who are unable to achieve their economic and creative potential due to logistical constraints.”
Zaman explained that it was after visiting and talking to artisans like Nazish that she was highly motivated to do something to support these women, and that is how Qatra was born.
Qatra, meaning “drop” in Arabic, stems from the aim to create a “drop of hope” for these women, according to Zaman. It was inspired by a quote from Persian poet Rumi, which says, “You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop”.
Through Qatra, the team provides less privileged female artisans with an online platform to market their high-quality and unique handmade products and help sell their products to an international audience.
Qatra is currently partnered with seven NGOs in Pakistan, Jordan and Yemen. It is also engaged with Syrian and Palestinian refugee artisans in Jordan, who have created products relevant to the Qatari market. All their products – beaded bags, necklaces, tea coasters – are available for sale on the Education City Marketplace.
