Beyond the Classroom Walls

Source: Shihab Rashid

Sabhanaz Rashid Diya was hardly in her teens when she began to write, voice out opinions and dream about creating changes. A social entrepreneur, she founded One Degree Initiative Foundation in 2006. As a non-profit that works on mentoring youth and empowering children, Diya's role is to strategise and innovate constantly for the organisation. "I teach, mentor, brainstorm, network and manage our programmes from a strategic position," she says. "My daily routine entails crazy meetings and implementing crazier plans!" Also a writer and photographer, Diya follows her passion in the creative arts with all her heart.
Diya's vision for social change is creating more informed, inspired and influential global citizens, those who question systems, seek solutions and are willing to collaborate for social justice. "I believe we need to start doing something," states Diya. "Our mentorship programme inspires people to take their passions to a new level by implementing it for social change, be it either as teaching children to read more books or going out in the field and participating in community decision making. It's often as simple as voting or thinking twice before clicking LIKE on Facebook so we are more informed about our place in the society."
Women often feel victimised and according to Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, to create a positive change, women must get out of our own personal shells. "It's not about competing against men," she explains. "We live in a competitive society and there are challenges everywhere. If women recognise their own individual strengths and courage, it stops being a gender struggle and starts being a real struggle. I honestly feel women need to believe they are doers and collaborators, and build on their unique talents to support their dreams. Even women in rural areas today own their own poultry farms or cattle and play an active role in their family. What's stopping the rest of us?"
One of the biggest challenges Diya has faced is convincing people that she is as strong and trustworthy as anyone else. "Being young and a woman has its challenges, but it is important to prove ourselves to find our voice in a discussion," she says. Challenging as it may be, it is, nonetheless, important to have more confidence in stature and rights as a woman and move forward.