As I near the end of the dissertation process, I feel I have been given an extra shot of adrenaline as I make my way to Guatemala in a few days. While I have never been on the red carpet of the Oscars, I feel as though attending the Nobel Women's Initiative conference may invoke some similar emotions. I have an incredible feeling of excitement coupled with a slight fear that I may slip and fall right in front of Shirin Ebadi or have food in my teeth when saying hello to Jody Williams. I have quoted, referenced, researched, and utilized stories of the many women activists who will be in attendance and I’m eager to meet these women whom I seem to know through their writing. I look forward to enriching discussions and debates, and to sharing new ideas and implementation methods to redefine democracy.
The plight of women worldwide begs to be recognized. Daily, women struggle between loyalty to their cultures and generating an income, finding their voices, and dismantling the image of themselves as second class citizens both internally and externally in society. My dissertation topic delves into the heart of international women’s rights with a focus on South Africa, India, and Turkey; three countries with three very unique cultures for women. My passion for understanding and wanting to re-evaluate the platform of gender equality arose through my own struggles searching for what equality means as a young, married South Asian woman as well as what equality means for women from my family who live in India. Our concept of equality differs greatly and, for this reason, I began to examine the meaning of gender equality within different cultures and religions.
The Nobel Women's Initiative conference brings together women with a common purpose, passion, and determination to improve the lives of women globally. I look forward to engaging in discussions that seek to nullify the challenges and identify solutions to issues such as: the inclusion of more women in their governments, further increasing the ability for women to exercise their rights, and helping women to engage meaningfully in the decisions that affect the lives of women. At the very least, I know that I will walk away having made new friends and gained incredible insight and knowledge through the shared stories of the women at the conference.
