The Power and potential of Global Sisterhood in 21st Century
Mar 2, 2024
Story
Seeking
Connections
Dr. Sadia Javaid
Pakistan
Feb 19
Joined Aug 23, 2023
Celebrating global sisterhood
Nadia Ahmed was a brave and resilient woman who had survived war, violence, and displacement in her home country of Syria. She had lost her husband, her parents, and her siblings in the conflict, and had fled with her two children to a refugee camp in Turkey. She had endured poverty, hunger, and trauma, and had struggled to provide for her children and protect them from harm.
She had always loved writing and reading, and had a degree in literature from Damascus University. She had worked as a teacher and a librarian before the war, and had hoped to become a writer someday. But her dreams were shattered by the war, and she had no access to books, computers, or the internet in the camp. She felt isolated, hopeless, and voiceless.
One day, she met a woman who worked for a local NGO that provided education and empowerment for refugee women and girls. The woman told her about World Pulse, a global social network for women who wanted to share their stories, connect with other women, and create social change. She said that World Pulse offered a safe and supportive space for women to express themselves, learn from each other, and access resources and opportunities. She said that World Pulse had a special program for women refugees, and invited her to join.
Nadia was curious and interested. She borrowed a smartphone from the woman, and logged on to World Pulse. She created a profile, and started browsing the website. She was amazed and inspired by what she saw. She saw thousands of women from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, who had similar experiences and challenges as her. She saw women who had survived war, violence, oppression, and discrimination, and who had overcome their difficulties and achieved their goals. She saw women who were speaking out and lifting each other up, who were creating awareness and inspiring action, who were leading movements and making a difference.
She felt a connection and a spark. She decided to write her first story, and share it with the World Pulse community. She wrote about her life in Syria, her journey to Turkey, and her situation in the camp. She wrote about her pain and sorrow, her hopes and dreams, her fears and struggles. She wrote from her heart, and poured out her emotions.
She posted her story, and waited nervously for the response. She did not expect anyone to read it, or to care about it. She thought that her story was too sad, too ordinary, or too irrelevant.
But she was wrong. Within minutes, she received dozens of comments from other women who read her story. They thanked her for sharing her story, and praised her for her courage and strength. They empathized with her, and offered her support and encouragement. They shared their own stories, and gave her advice and resources. They welcomed her to the World Pulse community, and invited her to join their groups and campaigns.
She was overwhelmed and touched by the response. She felt a surge of joy and gratitude. She realized that her story was not sad, ordinary, or irrelevant, but powerful, unique, and important. She realized that she was not alone, but part of a global sisterhood of women who cared about her, and who wanted to help her.
She replied to the comments, and thanked the women for their kindness and generosity. She also read their stories, and commented on them. She joined some groups and campaigns, and learned more about the issues and solutions that women were working on. She also applied for a scholarship that World Pulse offered for women refugees, and hoped to get it.
She continued to write and post more stories, and to interact and network with more women. She also received a mentor, a senior woman journalist from Canada, who guided her and supported her throughout the program. She learned new skills and techniques, such as digital storytelling, data journalism, and human rights reporting. She also explored new topics and perspectives, such as gender equality, climate change, and peacebuilding. She improved her writing and communication skills, and gained more confidence and visibility.
She also received the scholarship, and enrolled in an online course on women's leadership and social change. She completed the course, and received a certificate and a recognition. She also received a grant to pursue a project of her choice, and decided to create a digital library for the women and girls in the camp. She collected books, laptops, and internet devices, and set up a space where women and girls could read, write, and learn. She also taught them how to use World Pulse, and encouraged them to join the network and share their stories.
She felt proud and fulfilled, and received appreciation and admiration from her community and peers. She also received an offer to work as a freelance writer for a global media platform, and decided to accept it.
She graduated from the program with flying colors, and received a medal and a letter from the founder of World Pulse, who congratulated her and praised her for her achievements.
She felt happy and grateful, and thanked World Pulse and the program for giving her this opportunity and changing her life. She also thanked her global sisterhood, and promised to stay in touch and to support them in their endeavors.
She returned to her camp with a new vision and a new mission. She continued to work as a writer, but with a global perspective and a global reach. She also became a mentor and a role model for other women refugees in her camp, and helped them to join the program and the network. She became part of a global sisterhood that transcended borders and boundaries, and that made a difference in the world.