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Today is:
Fri, 03 - Sep, 2010:
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This day in 2002... Mukhtar Mai uses compensation money after vicious attack to establish schools
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On June 22, 2002, a 13-year-old boy named Abdul Shakoor was abducted from his home in Pakistan due to allegations from members of the Mastoi tribe that he had had sex with one of their girls. As punishment, three of the men sodomized Shakoor. When his family came to his rescue, they agreed to settle the matter by having Shakoor marry the girl and by his sister Mukhtar Mai apologizing to the family of the girls. But that night, Abdul Khaliq and three other men raped Shakoor's sister Mai as a form of justice. A week later, her local Muslim imam, Abdul Razzaq, condemned the rape and urged the family to file charges, which they did on June 30. Not only did her story get headlines in Pakistan, but BBC and Time magazine covered it as well. Pakistan's chief justice called the rape heinous and in early July, the Pakistan government awarded Mai 500,000 rupees. On September 2, the four rapists and two council members of the tribe were convicted and sentenced to death by an anti-terrorist court. Satisfied with the judgment, on September 3, 2002, Mai decided to use her compensation money to establish schools for girls. In a matter of years, the Mukhtar Mai Women's Welfare Organization has created not only several schools, but also an ambulance service and a women's aid group. Mai has since spoken throughout the world and published extensively. She has received awards from her own government and from other organizations. In 2005, Glamour magazine named Mai "Woman of the Year." Although the Pakistan government was initially supportive of Mai's efforts, it has since harrassed her and her family due to discomfort over the international attention. Meanwhile, violence against women and "honour justice" continues in many parts of the country, and the legal appeals of her rapists continue.
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There are many workplace challenges facing Canadians. From observations while working in the field of workplace and community human rights over many years, Stephen Hammond has chosen what he considers the top 10. These video transcripts are intended to start a dialogue. If you find one that can help your workplace or your association, please use it. Print out the text, have a discussion, and try to come to resolutions that can be helpful to your group. The best way to deal with workplace challenges is to talk about them in a respectful way.
These are also available as Videos on the Human Rights Training Store for $14.95 each or all 10 for $97. They will be invaluable to you in your workplace.
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Fearful of changing values
Many Canadians think their fundamental values are under pressure because of some people coming to Canada. How do you address concerns, without being seen as being intolerant of others? This challenge encourages Canadians to look at values and changes from a different perspective

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People speaking different languages at work
People speaking different languages at work can be one of the most contentious issues to address. If you want to avoid insult, indignation (even banner headlines) consider simple and common sense approaches to handle this sometimes, delicate issue.

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Not hiring women for fear they will go on parental leave.
One of the biggest areas of discrimination against women in the workplace relates to women having children, or the mere chance a woman may have children. You can find ways to address this issue and to ensure women and men are given the same opportunities, regardless of parental status.

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