23-yr-old brings Valley women together on social media site

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 19

In January, Syed Hanaz Tariq (23), an automation engineer from Kashmir, started a group on Facebook named “Yakjut”, meaning unity. The name was suggested by her father, who endorsed her idea of creating a common platform for Kashmiri women.

Today, the group is celebrated among a majority of Kashmiri women using social media across the globe. In less than five months, the group has 20,000 members and every day there is a vibrant debate and discussion on social issues, with diverse opinions from women of different backgrounds.

“Kashmiri women, whether staying in Kashmir or outside, are connecting through this platform,” says Hanaz, who works in Pune.

Hanaz says she used to see how Facebook groups, related to fitness, women, men etc, work all over the world. This was what motivated her to start the page.

“I honestly felt a need that there should be a common platform for Kashmiri women. Our state is sensitive but often we forget the daily issues faced by the women. So, I wanted to empower all Kashmiri women. It is a platform for all communities — Muslims, Sikhs, Pandits.”

With the members increasing with each passing day, Hanaz says the page is now moderated by a group of nine women. The group has discipline guidelines and a calendar, with topics to discuss on specific days of the week, like a fun day, poetry day, cooking day, shopping day and fitness day. The group also holds competitions, such as that of writing, photography, etc and rewards the winners.

The group is not restricted to just social discussions, even homemakers seeking financial independence sell home-made bakery products, pickles, honey, jewellery, and many more things. It is also a platform for women to seek assistance and recommendations from fellow ladies. The group helps new start-ups run by young women too, by giving them a space to reach out to their potential customers.

“I was invited to the group a month ago. It is amazing, the group enriches us about all the good and bad happening in the society,” says Saba Jan, a group member.

“My biggest motivation is that Yakjut has united women from all backgrounds, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. It is breaking barriers and helping women lift each other financially, socially and mentally,” Hanaz adds.

Seeking each other’s assistance

• The Facebook group created by Hanaz has attracted 20,000 members in less than five months. It is now moderated by a group of nine women
• The group has discipline guidelines and a calendar, with topics to discuss on specific days of the week, like a fun day, poetry day, cooking day, shopping day and fitness day. The group also holds competitions, such as that of writing, photography, etc and rewards the winners
• Homemakers seeking financial independence can sell home-made bakery products, pickles, honey, jewellery, etc and start-ups run by young women also get a space to reach out to their potential customers through the page