Who Is Alka Raza, The Journalist Named New Chairperson Of XLRI’s Centre For Gender Equality And Inclusive Leadership?
In our country, where the gender gap is pretty substantial, being a woman is not easy. Most of us feel the need to stand up and make a difference out there armed with either a pen (like me and several other writers/journalists) or with money and power. TBH, it’s so much easier for men to get promoted to a leadership position and get more power as compared to women. But over the last few years, women have been breaking barriers by not only being at leadership positions but also by proving to be great leaders. Just recently, journalist and novelist, Alka Raza made headlines after she was named the chairperson of the Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusive Leadership (CGEIL) at XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur. Founded in March 2021, the CGEIL aims to empower women by encouraging female participation in economically productive activities. Taking to Facebook the ace journalist shared the news making us all feel proud.
On the other hand, the director of XLRI, Father Paul Fernandes welcomed Alka Raza and shared that they are glad to have her as a part of CGEIL with her 35 plus years of experience. Speaking about her as a leader, the director said that Alka will bring a lot to the table along with her experience, knowledge of socio-political and economic crises across the world and her contribution to women’s issues.
So, Who Is Alka Raza?
Born in India, this ace journalist has visited over 70 countries. In 2009, Alka Raza moved to India for good along with her husband Shariq Bin Raza and son Sahil Raza. They settled in Uttar Pradesh’s Katha village where the journalist worked for the upliftment of the women of the poor section of the society, especially young girls.
Alka Raza earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and English from the University of Delhi and a Post-Graduate degree in Management. Apart from this, the novelist also holds a degree in Human Rights from the International Institute of Human Rights, Strasbourg, and a degree in Peace and Conflict Research from the Peace Research Institute of Oslo and the University of Oslo, Norway.
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Professional Life
Over the course of her 25-year long career, Alka Raza worked as a journalist, writer as well as a worldwide media and communication expert. The ace journalist is known to have an extensive, diverse and rather adaptable expertise in Asia, Africa, Europe, America as well as the Middle East.
The journalist worked with Deutsche Welle Radio, a Spanish service in Africa, as a West Africa correspondent. Alka Raza covered the major socio-economic and political events taking place in Nigeria as well as other parts of the country. She also covered the OAU Summits of Heads of States and Governments from Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, and Nigeria. She also worked as a correspondent for Radio Exterior of Spain, an English service. She covered Nigeria’s historic presidential elections and the country’s transition to democracy after years of military dictatorship.
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During her time in Nigeria, Alka Raza also worked as a media consultant for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – West Africa Communication Network. Soon after, the journalist founded the Televisa Bureau in Amman. Raza covered several major events in the region during her time there including the Gulf war and the Middle East crises. While Travelling in Europe in 1990, the journalist/novelist worked for Austria’s ORF TV as a visiting foreign correspondent. Amid the Gulf crisis, Alka was in Vienna and contributed several news, features and articles on OPEC and UN Agencies.
From 1982 to 1986, Alka Raza worked as a journalist and sub-editor with the United News of India (UNI) located in New Delhi. During her time at UNI, the journalist also authored and edited two books. The first one ‘Our People O!’ was a collection of human interest stories with people from Nigeria. Co-authored by Susan Hardy Twaddell, the book explores the tradition and oral history of cults in Nigeria. Her second book titled ‘Myths of Female Genital Mutilation’ is a research-based study on the traditional practice of female genital mutilation practised on a large scale in Africa.
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