Latest news with #Rafia
News18
18-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Pakistan To Host South Africa For Three-Match ODI Series
Last Updated: Pakistan will host South Africa for a three-match ODI series in September 2025 and play a T20I series against Ireland in August. They also have the ODI World Cup in Sri Lanka. To gear up for the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, Pakistan will host South Africa for a three-match 50-over series, scheduled for September 16, 19, and 22. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the team will engage in a three-match T20I series against Ireland in Dublin in early August. After the home ODI series against South Africa, Pakistan will head to Sri Lanka to compete in the ODI World Cup, playing their seven league-stage matches from October 2 to 24 in Colombo. If Pakistan advances to the knockouts of the ODI World Cup, the semi-final will take place on October 29 and the final on November 2 in Colombo. Post this, Pakistan's women's international schedule will primarily focus on preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup in England, happening from June 12 to July 5. Pakistan will tour South Africa from February 7 to March 2, 2026, for three ODIs, marking the beginning of their campaign in the ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, and three T20Is. In April, Pakistan will host Zimbabwe for three ODIs and three T20Is, part of the ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, from April 24 to May 11. Before heading to England for the T20 World Cup, Pakistan will participate in a T20I tri-series in Ireland, featuring the hosts and the West Indies as the third team. 'The upcoming season is significant, with major events such as the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup and ICC Women's T20 World Cup on the horizon." 'Our international schedule has been designed to ensure thorough preparation, with quality opposition that will enable the players to perform well and contribute to the team's success," stated Rafia Haider, head of women's cricket. The PCB also mentioned that the women's Under-19 team is set to play a national T20 tournament in Karachi from September 15 to October 6. The top performers will be invited to a three-week skills development camp, followed by the pre-departure camp for a five-match T20I tour of Bangladesh in December. 'Our Pathways structure continues to evolve with the aim of building a strong future for Pakistan women's cricket. The U19 T20 tournament and the subsequent tour to Bangladesh will provide young players with valuable exposure and an opportunity to develop the skills required at the international level," added Rafia. With IANS Inputs view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Woman Launches Kerala's First Divorce Camp. Internet Thinks ‘It Is A Great Initiative'
Last Updated: A video of the camp shows women dancing, singing, laughing and forming new bonds. Divorce is often seen as the end of the road, especially in a society like India, where it is still considered taboo. But one woman from Kerala is changing that narrative most beautifully. Calicut-based content creator Rafia Afi recently organised Kerala's first-ever Divorce Camp, and the Internet is loving the idea. Called Break Free Stories, the camp was created as a safe, joyful space for divorced, separated or widowed women. The aim was to help them connect with others, share their stories and rediscover happiness. The event took place in the lap of nature and featured a variety of fun, healing activities. A video of the camp, posted on Instagram, shows women dancing, singing, laughing and forming new bonds. One emotional activity involved women sharing their personal experiences while blindfolded, creating a space where they could speak freely without fear of judgment. The caption on the post beautifully described the spirit of the camp: 'We laughed like kids. We cried like warriors. We screamed into the mountains. We danced under the stars. We shared stories no one else understood. Strangers became soul sisters. And somewhere between bonfires and breakthroughs… we broke free." The video has crossed 45,000 views and continues to receive praise from the Internet. Comments poured in, with people calling the initiative inspiring, powerful and necessary. 'These women show amazing courage—deep respect to them!" wrote one user. 'As a Keralite, I feel this is a great initiative. These camps can really heal people," said another. 'How fabulous and also so healing," shared a third. 'Nothing beats women helping other women. This was much needed," added another user. In a country where divorced women are often judged or excluded, this camp offered community, confidence and care. It reminded everyone that life after separation can still be filled with love, laughter and new beginnings. Rafia's initiative has opened the doors to change. With such a strong response online, many now hope to see more such camps across India — spaces where women can truly heal, grow and celebrate life on their own terms. view comments First Published: July 15, 2025, 14:38 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
11-07-2025
- News18
'Conditioned To Blame Girl': Madras HC Cuts Jail Term Of Women Who Abetted Teen's Suicide For Love Affair
The HC said the women, though from the boy's family, targeted the girl, a response rooted in internalised misogyny, without realising that they were victims of the same mindset The Madras High Court recently upheld the conviction of two women accused of abetting the suicide of a 15-year-old girl but significantly reduced their prison sentence, citing their socio-economic hardship and internalised misogyny. In 2011, in Kuniamuthur, Coimbatore, a minor girl set herself ablaze after facing humiliation from her lover's aunts, Kayar Nisha and Rafia. The girl had fallen in love with her 19-year-old neighbour Saddam Hussain, and their families had consented to their marriage. However, the two aunts vehemently opposed the alliance. On August 18, 2011, the accused confronted the girl outside her house, hurled sexually coloured abuses, and even told her to go and die. The girl, distraught and alone at the time, ran inside, poured kerosene on herself, and set herself on fire. She succumbed to her burn injuries on September 2, 2011. The police initially registered a case under Section 309 IPC (attempt to suicide), but after her death and a detailed investigation, including a dying declaration, the charge was altered to Section 305 IPC (abetment of suicide of a minor). The Mahila Court convicted both women in 2016, sentencing them to three years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000 each. On appeal, the bench of Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy of the high court upheld the conviction, noting that the accused's words were 'excessively harsh and sexually charged" and would have had a deep psychological impact on a minor. 'Their conduct of going to the girl and admonishing her is inherently unacceptable, and the words spoken by the accused are excessively harsh and extremely sexually charged, likely to drive any 15-year-old child to suicide," the judge held. However, the court chose to reduce their sentence, citing their background. Kayar Nisha, 64, is a widow who works as a domestic help and suffers from hypertension. Rafia, 40, is a daily wager with two young children. The court also highlighted that the women's actions were influenced by internalised misogyny, conditioned by a patriarchal society that often blames the girl in matters of relationships. 'Their behaviour stems from internalised misogyny, which is a product of our male-dominated society. They are conditioned to question the female without realising they themselves are victims of such a mindset. In doing so, they harmed a girl child and made themselves liable for punishment," the judge observed. The sentence was reduced to the time already served, 90 days for Kayar Nisha and 83 days for Rafia. However, their fine was increased to Rs 20,000 each, to be paid within four weeks or face two months' simple imprisonment. Suicide Prevention: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
