Khawla
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your part of the world? What roles do women play in your society?
Women and girls in my society are dominated by men in all aspects of life. You can be a woman of any age who is capable of taking care of herself and be providing money for living, you still have to get permission from your father to get out of the house to work and he will tell you to came back at a certain time, and if you don't, you will get punished physically. Or if you are married, you still have to get permission to go to work or to go out with your friends. So basically, men make rules and women and girls follow them.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women empowerment and/or gender equality today?
Our society is a manly one and even if you want to take action and speak, women are very afraid, so education is the number one key to empowering women in my society.
OK, tell us all about yourself. Who are YOU & what should the world know about you?
My name is Khawla and I'm a 20-year-old from Morocco who is so lucky to go to college to study Management and Informatics.
Describe yourself in one word: "I am... a dreamer.
What are you most passionate about and what are you doing with that passion?
I'm passionate about books, reading and writing them even though I'm not even allowed to read them because my dad things that modern books make you a bad person.
What are some of the most notable events (milestones) that have happened in your life to date?
I got my high school degree 2.5 years ago. And I got admitted into college. I learnt to speak French and English and got a diploma in them. I [recently] got permission from my father for the first time in my life to go out with some of my girl-friends.
What obstacles have you faced and overcome?
Getting my high school diploma in a faculty that not many girls do. It was a challenge because everyone had said to me don't do it. My dad even went to my school and told them not to accept me into it, but I did it without him knowing. My dad still doesn't know that I have a diploma in French and English and actually only my mom and I know.
Looking externally into the public sphere, what female public figure inspires you the most to achieve your dreams & why?
Oprah Winfrey is someone that has changed the way white American people look at African Americans. So I also want to be this woman that many women in my country will see and say, if she could do it, I can do it too.
What's your definition of success?
Success is happiness in all its aspects. And I will reach my happiness by finishing my studies, having a good job, and helping other women in my country reach their dreams too.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?
My mom is the love of my life. She helped me so much through this journey. She lied so many times to my dad when I was doing things he didn't allow me to do. I wouldn't have achieved so much at a very young age without her.
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..." a man that has hair and wears makeup and dresses