More than a year ago, Tanzeel Khadir’s first project gained widespread recognition. Realising how little people in her home country of Australia knew about the region and its people, she launched 100 Bahrain Stories as a Facebook page sharing the life stories and recollections of interesting folks she met across the island, from street cleaners and market traders to high-powered businessmen and women.
The Facebook page was eventually turned into a popular book with proceeds from the sales going to charity. And, once that was completed, Tanzeel wanted to concentrate more on some of the amazing, inspirational women she had met during her initial research offering more in-depth stories.
She explains: “When women were featured [in 100 Bahrain Stories], people [outside the region] would tell me they didn’t realise there were sportswomen and high-achieving women here. There’s one woman who’s an entrepreneur, she works on a market selling under garments; she’s her own boss and is driven. She is a covered lady and her business is selling lingerie – I found these images to be very interesting and thought provoking.
“I thought, this time, I’m letting the process take its course; the pieces are going to be longer format. I’m not aiming for the quick bite. Before, I started with 300 words, I didn’t know if people would want to read more, but the demand is definitely there and I’ve had support from some very influential women such as Alice Samaan [the first female radio presenter in the Gulf, first woman on the Shura Council and later Bahrain’s Ambassador to London!] and others who have been generous with their time and their recollections.
“I find that women are more accessible to me, as a woman and I believe it’s really important to explore women’s issues at this time when so much is changing. I just interviewed a woman who is chief of legal affairs at the constitutional court – women in Bahrain have always broken barriers and they are continuing to do so.”
But, she adds, it’s not all about high achievers, there will be plenty of inspirational everyday people featured too. “I’m happy to focus on those who are at the top of their game,” says Tanzeel. “But also, ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”
Finding the subjects is mostly word of mouth with kind friends and Facebook page readers coming up with suggestions for people to be featured. “A project like this doesn’t happen without support and it really does take a lot of work but, in my experience, women generally like to chat about their lives and experiences and area willing to share,” says the writer.
Sharing her own inspiration, she concludes: “As a mother of two daughters, I am always mindful of the role models they have in their lives. Whilst we live in Bahrain, I cannot think of a better way to present them with positive female role models than by showing them a group of inspirational women from all walks of life who are doing wonderful things right here in the Middle East. I think girls, young women and even young men, for that matter, stand to benefit a lot when experienced women who are innovators or trailblazers in their field share their stories.”
