RAMALLAH, May 1, 2010 (WAFA)- Nida Awine
A courageous woman, was honored by another that matches her courage and determination to shed light on women's issues in the world, empowering them, encouraging them and giving them opportunities to advancement. A Palestinian woman out of ten around the world was nominated for Women of Courage International Award, which two women received, although if there were a third it would certainly go to Dr. Salwa Najjab, according to the words of senior policy advisor for the Near East, North Africa and Islamic issues in the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues since July 2009, Diane E. Kelly.
Dr. Najjab was not nominated for this award in vain, but for her path of success and a long struggle, which is an inspiration to all Palestinian women who aspire to success. Dr. Najjab, a gynecologist and obstetrician, was the first female doctor to become a resident in Al-Maqased hospital in Jerusalem, and started doing mobile clinics, provided health services for many women, championed the rights of Palestinian women, struggled against violence based on sex, and is the director of Juzzoor foundation for health and social development.
In an exclusive interview with 'WAFA' Mrs. Kelly, underlined the importance of the award in recognition and appreciation of the efforts of women activists for women's rights, and serve their communities, to achieve equal rights and opportunities. The nomination for this award is important in itself, where few is the number of women worthy of such title.
The empowerment of women is to provide opportunities for them to serve their communities and achieve their ambitions and goals, where women are the most optimistic when they believe in their talents, chances are that enables the human potential to learn and work with to achieve what they aspire.
The message we want to deliver is that these women have a special talent and outstanding achievements in their communities, just like Dr. Najjab, she said, stressing that the Palestinian received respect in the whole world. She emphasized that this award provides the protection and respect for women in society, through recognition of their achievements and their work, and communicating the message to communities and governments alike that we pay attention to women's equal opportunities to enable them to achieve their goals and the protection of their communities and defend it.
In the end, Kelly confirmed that women have the right to choose their own destiny, and their futures in work as well as in life, and this is the most important right that must be defended.
Dr. Najjab’s vision did not contradict with what was said by Kelly. She began by saying that the nomination of a Palestinian for this award is particularly important because the Palestinian women in particular suffer from conditions not normally encountered en route, in addition to the challenges faced by women around the world as challenges to a successful career, family and personal success.
She appeared optimistic when she said: I did everything I did because I am so excited, and faced all the challenges out of love for my family and my community, and asserted that women must be given their opportunities. It is possible that women could be in an advanced position if given the opportunity, you must give women special attention because it is easier for men, and society should respect the role of women.
She stressed the importance of education as the beginning of the way for women to achieve any success. There are many examples in the villages I have worked in, she said, the age of marriage has changed in the villages where the level of education rose. This issue is not a subject of force or power, but of the availability of opportunities.
