The Muslim News - Regional leadership programme for Muslim women launched

Issue 245, Friday 25 September 2009 - 6 Sha'ban 1430

Regional leadership programme for Muslim women launched

By Elham Asaad Buaras

The UK’s first regional network leadership programme exclusively for Muslim women was launched in Leeds on September 4.

Get Connected, introduced by the BME Voluntary and Community Sector (VSE) Panel Ltd, will cover the Yorkshire and the Humber area and is expected to raise representation of Muslim women.

In a statement to The Muslim News, Get Connected’s programme Director, Naz Shah, said, “The programme offers Muslim women of today a real opportunity to develop themselves and influence the workforce of the future. In addition to Common Purpose, the programme’s participants will have the guidance of a team of mentors to support their professional development of the participants. Mentors are being recruited from the public and corporate sector and include men as well as women to provide objective views and opinions.”

Regional Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, Rosie Winterton MP, said, “There is clearly enormous talent among the participants already involved in the programme and I am sure in the future that more Muslim women will be encouraged to get involved to develop their leadership skills...I hope that other regions will follow this excellent example.”

With an initial group of 22 Muslims, Get Connected will provide representation, mentoring and training. Nassara Bostan is one of the youngest participants. Bostan, who is a Dept for Work and Pensions Financial Inclusion Champion for West Yorkshire, said, “I haven’t had any role models to look up to professionally and have seized the opportunity to join the Get Connected programme to develop myself both personally and professionally. I hope to be an inspiration and role-model to other Muslim women who can look to my success as a guide to their own.”

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