A ST ALBANS author is setting the record straight about Muslim women.
Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day (Thursday), Amra Pajalic says there are many misconceptions, including that Muslim women don’t have an education, are not involved in the community and are typically hidden away having children.
She says many Muslim women are passionate and engaged in their community, going about their lives and trying to change their little corner of the world.
“Muslim women get educations, they have professions … they’re just as involved as non-Muslim women and want to do right by their children,” she says.
Pajalic works to challenge stereotypes by getting more Muslim women’s voices out into the community.
One way she has achieved this is through a Brimbank Council leadership program and a book, What a Muslim Woman Looks Like, co-authored by Demet Divaroren.
The book, which included 12 interviews with Muslim women, proved popular and there is talk about publishing an anthology of Muslim writers.
Reflecting on what International Women’s Day means to her, Pajalic says a lot of inequality needs to be highlighted.
“Over in Yugoslavia it’s very much celebrated and very much a national holiday. For one day women are at the forefront … it’s about equality and opportunity.
”I would like it to have a bit more prominence in Australia and even though we’ve achieved a lot of equality, there is still inequality.”
Pajalic believes Australian women are over-represented in some fields and under-represented in others.
“Women aren’t encouraged to think outside the square. We rarely think about your dreams and desires and what you have an affinity for and are passionate about and have a talent for.”
She believes female writers face discrimination, with male authors receiving most of the reviews and awards.
“It’s a fascinating thing considering women buy books and a lot of women work in the publishing industry. It’s heartbreaking when certain types of fiction are seen as worthy and a certain type isn’t.”
Pajalic’s first novel, The Good Daughter, was well received and she recently completed its follow-up, The Other Daughter.
