Akhter Ali
Akhter’s learning journey started in her native Iraq where her ambition to become a journalist began. After leaving school, she gained a Diploma in Law in 1989, but – as a Kurdish woman living in the north of her country – “she had to overcome many barriers to become a champion of women’s rights, speaking out against the local authorities on human rights issues”, her nominator, Marian Tota, explained.
As part of her work with the Kurdistan Women’s Union, Akhter produced a women’s newsletter exposing inequalities and oppression, and then published a newspaper which criticised the political regime. As a result, she was forced to leave her homeland and sought asylum in England.
Arriving in Manchester, Akhter enrolled on an English course at her local adult education centre and over the next two years took courses in photography, community workskills and food hygiene.
Once she found out about courses at her local Sure Start Centre, she enrolled in further English classes, as well as courses in arts and crafts, flower arranging, literacy for children, confident parenting skills and numeracy.
In 2008, Akhter became a voluntary worker at the same children’s centre. She is now enrolled on a journalism course at Old Trafford Community Centre.
She said, “Learning means discovering a new world and a new life. After I discovered the courses at Sure Start, I found my voice again. I have started on my journey to be, again, a journalist who speaks on behalf of oppressed women.”