Ahead of the new year, the BBC has unveiled its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for this year. Writer Elif Şafak and paralympic athlete Sevda Altunoluk from Turkey are also on the ‘BBC 100 Women 2021’ list.
As noted by the BBC in revealing the list, this year’s list has highlighted the ones who are hitting the ‘reset’ button, namely the women playing their part to reinvent the society, the culture and the world.
Among these women are also Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Samoa’s first woman prime minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, Professor Heidi J Larson, who heads the Vaccine Confidence Project, and author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
As underlined by the BBC, women from Afghanistan, which has witnessed the resurgence of Taliban, make up half of this year’s list. Some women appear under pseudonyms and without photos for their safety.
Referring to the violations of rights faced by women in Afghanistan since August 2021, namely the resurgence of Taliban in the country, the BBC has underlined that “this year’s list recognizes the scope of their bravery and their achievements as they are forced to reset their lives.”
As for Turkey, writer Elif Şafak and paralimpic athlete Savda Altunoluk are listed among the “BBC 100 Women.”
“Disability should be seen as an opportunity to express oneself”
For Altunoluk, it is noted that the visually impaired goalball star was the top scorer in the two Paralympic Games and is seen as the best goalball player in the world. The Turkish National Goalball Team won gold medals at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Altunoluk says, “Disability should not be seen as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to express oneself.”
“We can build a better and more just world”
For Elif Şafak, it is noted that the author is an activist for women’s and LGBTI+ rights, and that her books have been translated into dozens of languages and won many awards.
Şafak says, “We are at a great crossroads everywhere, in the East and the West. The old world no longer exists. Instead of going backwards, we can build a better and more just world where no one is left behind.”