Women of the Middle East

In this special episode, Dr. Amal Al-Malki hosts thinker and activist Dr. Salma Nims in a bold and honest conversation that breaks through long-standing taboos. The episode dives into identity, religion, and gender—exploring how misconceptions have shaped women’s lives across the Arab world. Through a deep and transparent dialogue, Dr. Amal and Dr. Salma unpack the dominant narratives, ask the questions many fear to raise, and search for a more mature and just understanding. This episode doesn’t just question… it challenges, reveals, and reshapes what many consider “truth.” Episode Topics: How were our beliefs about women and religion formed? Where does identity stand between culture and faith? Why are gender-related questions often silenced? Personal maturity as a force that transforms women’s lives. Deconstructing inherited ideas that limit women’s freedom and progress. #podcast #womenempowerment #womenofthemiddleeast #women

In this episode, we dive into a thoughtful conversation about the socially imposed roles on women, and how many are taught from a young age that their primary purpose is to become mothers, otherwise, society may not fully embrace them. We explore how education and awareness can open up new possibilities, allowing women to challenge these expectations, and how modernity has simultaneously offered more choices while also reinforcing the belief that women cannot successfully navigate multiple roles at once. The episode also sheds light on the blurred lines between the private and public spheres in women’s lives, and how social expectations intersect with personal and professional ambitions. Additionally, we discuss the debate surrounding “quotas,” questioning whether they are a necessary tool for representation or a mechanism that not everyone agrees on. A rich and insightful discussion touching on key issues related to women, identity, and modernity, don’t miss it. #womenofthemiddleeast #podcast #women #DrAmalAlMalki #genderequality

In the first episode of Amman's Series, Dr Amal Al-Malki speaks with Fidaa Mousa from War Child and Shirine Jurdi from the Arab Feminist Network about their convening in Amma-Jordan, held in observance of the 25th anniversary of the UN Security council resolution 1325. A historic framework that highlights the vital role of women in peace building, security, and decision-making. Speakers: Fidaa Mousa: WPS Consortium Manager at War Child- Palestine. Shirine Jurdi: Steering Committee Member of the Arab Feminist Network; President of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom- Lebanon; and Senior Advisor on Women, Peace and Security, Militaraization and Climate Change. About Partners: War Cild: An international organization that supports children and families affected by conflict, empowering communities through protection, education, and psychosocial support. Arab Feminist Network: A regional platform connecting feminist organizations and advocates across the MENA region to promote gender equality, justice, and peace. This episode is sponsored by ‪@WarChildAlliance #womenofthemiddleeast #podcast #women #DrAmalAlMalki #warchild #ArabFeministNetwork #genderequality

A Conversation with Noor Al Otaibi Learn more about this Arab woman who defied all odds and has become the author of her own story and an inspiration for others.

A momentous conversation in this special podcast episode! Tune in as Arab States Civil Society Organizations and feminist network members come together to reflect on the launch of the parallel regional report assessing progress on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action +30 in the Arab region. In this insightful discussion, we delve into the strides made over the past few decades, the challenges still faced, and the collective vision for a more inclusive and equitable future. This episode highlights the power of collaboration, the voices driving change, and the importance of continuing the journey toward gender equality and social justice in the Arab world. Don't miss out on this powerful exchange! ✨ ️في هذه الحلقة الخاصة تجتمع عضوات الشبكة العربية للمجتمع المدني النسوي لمناقشة التقرير العربي الإقليمي الموازي لمنهاج عمل بيجين +30. في هذا النقاش المُلهم، نستمع إلى الإنجازات التي تحققت على مدار السنوات الماضية، والتحديات التي لا تزال قائمة، والرؤية المشتركة لمستقبل أكثر شمولية وعدالة. تُبرز هذه الحلقة قوة التعاون، والأصوات التي تقود التغيير، وأهمية مواصلة المسيرة نحو تحقيق المساواة والعدالة الاجتماعية في العالم العربي. #ArabFeminists #SocialChange #Empowerment #CivicEngagement #Beijing30 #العدالة_الاجتماعية #المساواة_بين_الجنسين #بيجين #

️ A momentous conversation in this special podcast episode! Tune in as Arab States Civil Society Organizations and feminist network members come together to reflect on the launch of the parallel regional report assessing progress on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action +30 in the Arab region. In this insightful discussion, we delve into the strides made over the past few decades, the challenges still faced, and the collective vision for a more inclusive and equitable future. This episode highlights the power of collaboration, the voices driving change, and the importance of continuing the journey toward gender equality and social justice in the Arab world. Don't miss out on this powerful exchange! ✨ ️في هذه الحلقة الخاصة تجتمع عضوات الشبكة العربية للمجتمع المدني النسوي لمناقشة التقرير العربي الإقليمي الموازي لمنهاج عمل بيجين +30. في هذا النقاش المُلهم، نستمع إلى الإنجازات التي تحققت على مدار السنوات الماضية، والتحديات التي لا تزال قائمة، والرؤية المشتركة لمستقبل أكثر شمولية وعدالة. تُبرز هذه الحلقة قوة التعاون، والأصوات التي تقود التغيير، وأهمية مواصلة المسيرة نحو تحقيق المساواة والعدالة الاجتماعية في العالم العربي. #ArabFeminists #SocialChange #Empowerment #CivicEngagement #Beijing30 #العدالة_الاجتماعية #المساواة_بين_الجنسين #بيجين #

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Shaikha Binjasim, a Kuwaiti professor of philosophy with a PhD in metaphysics from the University of Virginia. Dr. Shaikha dives into the complexities of being a woman in the Middle East, addressing societal perceptions and the cultural and societal dynamics that often seek to silence their voice. #Podcast #WomenInTheMiddleEast #DrShaikhaBinjasim #Empowerment ##SocialChange

Season 7 explores the diverse yet interconnected experiences of women from the MENA region, highlighting themes that resonate across cultures, countries, and generations. Through weekly episodes, we delve into thought-provoking topics, aiming to educate and empower. From gender-based violence and sexism in academia to women's sexual and reproductive health, our discussions may challenge comfort zones—an intentional step toward fostering understanding and respect for these crucial conversations. Dr Hala Aldosari is a scholar of social determinants of health and gender-based violence research. She examines the influence of gender norms on women’s political, economic, legal, and health statuses in the Arab Gulf states. At Radcliffe, Aldosari is researching gender dynamics, a significant determinant of health in Saudi Arabia. She employs interdisciplinary frameworks to study the impact of behavioral factors, cultural beliefs, social networks, socioeconomic status, and legislations as determinants of women’s health. In particular, Aldosari examines the impact of “constrained choice” on women’s access to care, quality of care, and health outcomes in Saudi Arabia.

Season 7 explores the diverse yet interconnected experiences of women from the MENA region, highlighting themes that resonate across cultures, countries, and generations. Through weekly episodes, we delve into thought-provoking topics, aiming to educate and empower. From gender-based violence and sexism in academia to women's sexual and reproductive health, our discussions may challenge comfort zones—an intentional step toward fostering understanding and respect for these crucial conversations. Dr. Maha El Said, Chair of the English Department at Cairo University, is a distinguished academic with over 22 years of experience in teaching and research. A pioneer in American Studies, she authored the first comprehensive dissertation on Arab American poetry and has published extensively on literature, gender studies, and the impact of technology on culture. Beyond academia, Dr. El Said is a powerful advocate for gender equality as the founder of Cairo University's Anti-Harassment and Violence Against Women Unit, the first of its kind in the Arab world. Her innovative work has inspired similar initiatives in 14 Egyptian universities, creating safer and more inclusive academic environments. A distinguished scholar and an impactful speaker, Dr. Maha continues to transform cultural and academic landscapes through her knowledge and advocacy.

Season 6 presents women stories, standing on themes around which their stories intersect, collide or/and merge. Lana Medawar is a seasoned journalist and media innovator, born on March 8, 1986, in Jezzine, a city known for its stunning landscapes. Her career began at a radio station before she graduated from the Lebanese University with a degree in radio and TV journalism in 2006. Lana's professional journey includes significant roles such as a news anchor and program presenter at Almayadeen news channel, where she also creatively led and produced the diverse show "Almashadiyya." In 2021, Lana shifted her focus towards human journalism, creating the inspiring series "Nothing is Impossible," which highlights stories of perseverance and success. Embracing a new direction in 2023, she turned to producing content rooted in books and knowledge, leading to the establishment of the Storytelling School and the Solist Mindfulness Hub. Lana's career reflects her commitment to impactful storytelling and personal growth, inviting her audience to join her in a journey of discovery and inspiration.

Born in Kuwait on the 10 of October 1967 to a Kuwaiti father and a Syrian mother, Dr. Shurooq Amin is an Anglophone poet, an artist, a certified interior decorator, and a professor at Kuwait University. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing and an MA in English Literature. She has appeared on several television interviews on Kuwait TV, as well as in various Middle Eastern and Kuwaiti magazines and newspapers. She has given lectures about poetry and writing to school-children in private British schools in Kuwait and regularly holds poetry readings. Her poems, short stories, and paintings have appeared in more than 30 literary and artistic journals. Shurooq’s cultural diversity stems not only from her Middle Eastern upbringing and British education, but from her extensive travel experiences in Asia and the Middle East, North Africa, North and South America, and Europe. She lives in Kuwait with her husband and four children in a feng-shuied, Mexican/Moroccan-inspired home. She is the first Kuwaiti to be nominated for a Pushcart Prize for her poetry in 2007.

Zainab Salbi is an Iraqi American women's rights activist, writer, television show host, and podcaster. She is the co-founder of Daughters for Earth, a fund and a movement of Daughters rising up worldwide with climate solutions to protect and restore Mother Earth. She is also the co-founder of Women for Women International, a non-profit organization that helps women affected by sexual violence and conflict. She hosted Through Her Eyes and #MeToo, Now What? television shows, about issues affecting women. From 2022 she hosted the Redefined podcast. In her 2005 memoir Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tyranny: Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam, Salbi recounted her early life: Born in Baghdad to a father who later became Saddam Hussein's personal pilot, her family arranged her marriage and emigration to the United States, in order to remove her from the proximity of Hussein, who had started showing unwanted attention to her. After an abusive marriage in the U.S., she divorced her husband and started her humanitarian career. She is also the author of the nonfiction book The Other Side of War: Women's Stories of Survival & Hope which documents the stories of women survivors of war. In September of 2023, Zainab Salbi was honoured with the Time100 Impact Award.

Dr. Lina AbiRafeh is an Arab-American feminist activist and author who works gender issues in development and humanitarian contexts. She has worked for various United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations and was the executive director of the Arab Institute for Women at the Lebanese American University. She has a Master's degree in International Economics and Development from Johns Hopkins University. She completed her PhD at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2008, her thesis focusing on gender-based violence in humanitarian aid in conflict and post-conflict zones. Dr. Lina Abi Rafeh shares how her earliest experiences and feelings of injustice against women gave her the drive and motivation to actively work towards social justice and equality

This season is a collaboration between Women of the Middle East (WME) podcast and Musawah. Musawah (‘equality’ in Arabic) is a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. Musawah launched in February 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They work in International Advocacy and Knowledge & Capacity Building. In 2020, they launched the Campaign for Justice to bring advocates for family law reform together and build support at the national, regional, and global levels towards equality and justice for all women living in Muslim contexts. Social Media Handles: Website: www.musawah.org Facebook: facebook.com/musawahmovement/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/musawah Twitter: @musawah Instagram: @musawahmovement

This season is a collaboration between Women of the Middle East (WME) podcast and Musawah. Musawah (‘equality’ in Arabic) is a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. Musawah launched in February 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They work in International Advocacy and Knowledge & Capacity Building. In 2020, they launched the Campaign for Justice to bring advocates for family law reform together and build support at the national, regional, and global levels towards equality and justice for all women living in Muslim contexts. Dr. Sa‘diyya Shaikh is an associate professor in the Department for the Study of Religions at the University of Cape Town. Her research is situated at the intersection of Islamic Studies and Gender Studies. Social Media Handles: Website: www.musawah.org Facebook: facebook.com/musawahmovement/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/musawah Twitter: @musawah Instagram: @musawahmovement

This season is a collaboration between Women of the Middle East (WME) podcast and Musawah. Musawah (‘equality’ in Arabic) is a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. Musawah launched in February 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They work in International Advocacy and Knowledge & Capacity Building. In 2020, they launched the Campaign for Justice to bring advocates for family law reform together and build support at the national, regional, and global levels towards equality and justice for all women living in Muslim contexts. Dr. Marwa Sharafeldin is a scholar-activist with a Ph.D. in law from the University of Oxford, is the senior technical advisor and MENA region expert in Musawah and a visiting fellow in Harvard Law School’s Program on Law and Society in the Muslim World. Social Media Handles: Website: www.musawah.org Facebook: facebook.com/musawahmovement/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/musawah Twitter: @musawah Instagram: @musawahmovement

This season is a collaboration between Women of the Middle East (WME) podcast and Musawah. Musawah (‘equality’ in Arabic) is a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. Musawah launched in February 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They work in International Advocacy and Knowledge & Capacity Building. In 2020, they launched the Campaign for Justice to bring advocates for family law reform together and build support at the national, regional, and global levels towards equality and justice for all women living in Muslim contexts. Dr. Nevin Reda is an associate professor of Muslim studies at Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto. Social Media Handles: Website: www.musawah.org Facebook: facebook.com/musawahmovement/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/musawah Twitter: @musawah Instagram: @musawahmovement

This season is a collaboration between Women of the Middle East (WME) podcast and Musawah. Musawah (‘equality’ in Arabic) is a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. Musawah launched in February 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They work in International Advocacy and Knowledge & Capacity Building. In 2020, they launched the Campaign for Justice to bring advocates for family law reform together and build support at the national, regional, and global levels towards equality and justice for all women living in Muslim contexts. Dr. Sara Ababneh is a lecturer in international relations in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Sheffield and was previously an associate professor at the Center for Strategic Studies, University of Jordan. Dr. Shadaab Rahemtulla is a lecturer in Islam and Christian–Muslim relations at the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, and was previously an assistant professor at the University of Jordan. Social Media Handles: Website: www.musawah.org Facebook: facebook.com/musawahmovement/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shadaab-rahemtulla-a45571127/ | linkedin.com/in/sara-ababneh-phd-04493439/ | linkedin.com/company/musawah Twitter: @musawah Instagram: @musawahmovement

This season is a collaboration between Women of the Middle East (WME) podcast and Musawah. Musawah (‘equality’ in Arabic) is a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. Musawah launched in February 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They work in International Advocacy and Knowledge & Capacity Building. In 2020, they launched the Campaign for Justice to bring advocates for family law reform together and build support at the national, regional, and global levels towards equality and justice for all women living in Muslim contexts. Dr. Omaima Abou-Bakr is a professor of English and comparative literature at Cairo University and a founding member of the Women and Memory Forum. Dr. Nur Rofiah is a lecturer of methodology of Qur’anic interpretation at the Islamic State University Syarif Hidayatullah and the Institute for Qur’anic Studies (PTIQ) in Jakarta, and a women’s rights activist who promotes gender justice within Islam as a writer, facilitator, and resource person. Social Media Handles: Website: www.musawah.org Facebook: facebook.com/musawahmovement/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nur-rofiah-2392a411/ | linkedin.com/company/musawah Twitter: @musawah Instagram: @musawahmovement

This season is a collaboration between Women of the Middle East (WME) podcast and Musawah. Musawah (‘equality’ in Arabic) is a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. Musawah launched in February 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They work in International Advocacy and Knowledge & Capacity Building. In 2020, they launched the Campaign for Justice to bring advocates for family law reform together and build support at the national, regional, and global levels towards equality and justice for all women living in Muslim contexts. Dr. Mulki Al-Sharmani is an associate professor of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies at the University of Helsinki and a member of Musawah’s Knowledge Building Working Group and one of the co-editors of their newest book “Justice and Beauty in Muslim Marriage: Towards Egalitarian Ethics and Laws” Social Media Handles: Website: www.musawah.org Facebook: facebook.com/musawahmovement/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mulki-al-sharmani-739b4aa3/ | linkedin.com/company/musawah Twitter: @musawah Instagram: @musawahmovement