Ex-judge in running for prestigious award

Marzia Babakarkhail

A FORMER judge from Afghanistan who now lives in Oldham has been named as a finalist in a prestigious awards ceremony.

Marzia Babakarkhail is one of three individuals shortlisted in the woman of the year category in the Fusion Awards.

The awards honour charity champions and volunteers from across the North West. This year's awards take place in Blackburn on Saturday, May 13.

The woman of the year award is presented to a person who has made a lasting and impressive contribution to their community or excelled in their chosen career or has battled against the odds.

On being a finalist, Marzia said: "First of all I would like to thank the Fusion Awards team and organisation for nominating me as a finalist in the category of woman of the year.

"This really means a lot to me and it has proved that hard work and struggles for humanity and education never fails. It makes me so happy to support and encourage girls for education, and widows for shelter and emergency helps.

"I was born in a country where women were not only recognised as second-class citizens, but also had no values. It was really hurting me a lot to see all the injustice happening around me, which made me not only to be a feminist, but also a 'womanist'.

"All my lifetime, I tried to support and encourage girls for education, and I worked so hard to establish literacy courses in villages, and promote widows to learn how to read and write.

"I stood against those who did not have any respect for women. Because for me to respect means to value each other.

"I faced a lot of struggles when I left everything behind. I had more heavy days than happy days. I know I have nothing, but my passion in my aim is giving me the confident to promote and encourage everyone to join English classes and be independent.

"At the end I would like to mention two things which I believe are very important in our lives. Firstly, be educated yourself, so that you can educate others.

"Secondly, when you know the value of education you will understand the meaning and the beauty of life. So give hope, be charitable, and fight for your dreams. Because if you want, you can."

Before coming to this country in 2008, Marzia was a judge in Afghanistan and passionate about women's rights. She was targeted by the Taliban for setting up a foundation for educating girls.

They tried to kill her in a high speed hit-and-run as she visited her sick mother in hospital. The attempt was unsuccessful but she spent six months in hospital recovering.

*Oldham Compass Scouts is shortlisted in the Fusion Awards' youth leadership award category.