Kuala lumpur: Women’s involvement in humanitarian missions is not just symbolic, but a strategic necessity, especially in conflict zones involving children and single mothers, who are the most affected groups.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, humanitarian activist Nurfarahin Romli, 32, better known as Farah Lee, emphasized that the natural compassion and gentleness of women give them a unique advantage in comforting victims who are traumatized and in need of emotional support. ‘The gentle nature of women allows us to connect naturally with children. When we (women) interact with them, they quickly become comfortable, which makes it easier for us to console and provide moral support.
Farah shared her experiences from humanitarian missions in Syria and Afghanistan, noting that single mothers often felt uncomfortable meeting male activists. It was the women volunteers who reached out to them, delivering aid and providing assistance. She recounted these experiences during an interview with Bernama Radio while discussing her participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission to Gaza.
Commenting on the participation of married women, Farah, who is also chief executive officer of Pertubuhan Kebajikan FL, stated that individuals were chosen for their expertise and capacity to contribute. She was selected for her experience in humanitarian work and ability to leverage social media to spread the mission’s message widely. Farah has been active in international humanitarian missions since 2018, even when she was a single mother, and her current husband supports her commitment to this work.
During the interview, Farah shared the challenges she faced when kidnapped and detained by Zionist soldiers, including being denied her right to practice religion when her headscarf and those of other hijab-wearing volunteers were forcibly removed. They were also denied medical care and access to basic women’s needs.
She clarified that her sharing of humanitarian mission experiences was not for publicity, as claimed by some, but to give Malaysians a closer understanding of the real suffering of the Palestinian people. By sharing her experiences, Farah hopes to inspire greater awareness and collective support in freeing the country from Israeli occupation.
As a mother, Farah tries to instill empathy, courage, and compassion in her daughter, Mariam, by involving her in humanitarian missions, such as visiting Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. She hopes that Mariam will understand the importance of humanitarian work and possibly become a volunteer herself one day.
Farah expressed hope that the wave of support and concern shown for the victims of oppression in Gaza would continue, encouraging more people, regardless of gender, religion, or background, to join humanitarian missions in the future.