Images of Algerian Women/Things Have to Change

Here are some last minute images of Algerian women leaders. I developed these upon my return to the U.S. The first is of Aicha Barki, president of Iqraa', an internationally recognized accredited and award winning organization, which she founded to help the illiterate. Iqraa' is the first word of the Qur'an and means "Read." It is thus a powerful form of motivation to those seeking to learn to read and write in a predominantly Muslim society. Adult education was enshrined as a right in the 1962 Constitution and reinforced by presidential decree in 1976. Literacy rates for men and women in Algeria stood at 51 and 75 percent respectively in 1999-2000.
Here is Fatima Zohra Karadja, president of the National Association for the Support of Troubled and Institutionalized Children (Association Nationale de Soutien aux Enfants en Difficulté et en Institution). The unit focuses on women, especially single mothers, by working to prepare them for their parental role. ANSEDI also facilitates training sessions for women from opposing factions to come together for sensitisation and dialogue on human rights. In cooperation with other organisations, ANSEDI is formulating a strategy to fight against social exclusion by involving at-risk populations in community activities.
Finally, a picture of Belaala Mériem, president of the Association Nationale S.O.S. Femmes en Détresse (National Association of Aid to Women in Distress).
SOS Femmes en Détresse is a non-profit making humanitarian NGO working to strengthen women’s rights in Algeria. The organisation was created by women who took active part in the Algerian struggle for national independence (Moudjahidetes), together with activists from civil society. SOS Femmes en Détresse operates on a concrete, practical level, providing services to women in difficulty. At the same time the association carries out policy advocacy - working to raise awareness on issues of violence against women and on the need to strengthen women’s rights in Algeria. SOS Femmes en Détresse functions not only in Algiers, but has developed local and regional committees that serve to support women. The local committees give advice and offer assistance to women, as well as act as a conduit to the SOS Femmes en Détresse support line and women’s shelter in Algiers. There are many forms of violence against women in Algeria, including verbal harassment, threats, repudiation, beating, sexual abuse, rape, denying of individual civil rights for women, forced marriages, etc. The political turmoil that has ravaged Algeria since 1988 has subjected women to particular forms of violence and atrocities. However, Meriem Belaala, president of the association SOS Femmes en Détresse, is optimistic and believe that women's rights in Algeria are progressively going to be strengthened.