Rotherham

Over 170 people came to the first roadshow in Rotherham, getting the chance to meet Saima, Shabana and Yara. Muslim girls attending the roadshow from secondary schools and colleges in Rotherham and Sheffield had the choice of 10 role models to talk to in breakout sessions. As well as the three national role models, there were local Muslim women working as a detective, social workers, regeneration manager, lecturer, solicitor, in IT and business. A range of issues came up including:

how faith affects your choice of career
family support
finding time for studies
why PE is important for staying healthy
being "pigeon-holed" as a Muslim woman
being the only brown face
how to gain work experience
moving away from home
coping with shift patterns in the police
balancing career and family
reaction of boyfriends, brothers and male cousins

All the role models urged girls not to let any of these challenges get in the way of pursuing their dreams. As Shazia Yousaf told them:

"You never fail unless you quit, so don't quit!"

Where

The roadshow was at the Carlton Park Hotel in Rotherham.

When

Tuesday 3 November 1.30-4.30pm

Speakers

Adeeba Malik, National Muslim Women’s Advisory Group Councillor Mahroof Hussain, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Saima Hussain - rugby player and sports development officer Yara El-Sherbini - artist Shabana Kosar - fire officer Shazia Yousaf - local solicitor Mrs Quereshi - United Multicultural Centre

Host

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council hosted the roadshow as part of a One Town, One Community initiative. Rotherham, One Town One Community is a celebration of the values that unite us here in Rotherham: the values of fairness, tolerance, understanding, mutual respect and a desire to achieve the best for Rotherham, for the communities in which we live, for our friends and families.

Local Contact

Waheed Akhtar, Principal Officer (Community Engagement and Cohesion).

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