Women of the Middle East
This podcast relates the realities of Arab Women and their rich and diverse experiences. It aims to represent the multiplicity of women voices. It wishes to break cultural stereotypes about women of the Middle East, and educate and empower the younger generation of Middle Eastern women who were stripped of their historical reference and weren’t necessarily raised to believe in their own agency and power to create their destiny.
حلقات
A Conversation With Dr Salma Nims
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. Sal
A Conversation with Dr. Oroub El Abed
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, an
The 25th Anniversary of Women, Peace, and Security Agenda
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, secu
A Conversation with Noor Al Otaibi
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.
Special Episode: Discussing the Launch of Parallel Regional Report on Beijing+30 in Arab Region- Part 2
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 str
Special Episode: Discussing the Launch of Parallel Regional Report on Beijing+30 in Arab Region- Part 1
️ 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 s
S7E3: A Conversation with Dr. Shaikha Binjasim
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 #WomenInT
S7E2: A Conversation with Dr. Hala Al-Dosari
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 hea
S7E1: Sexism in Academia – A Conversation on Gender and Power with Dr. Maha El Said
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 hea
Palestinian Women Voices with Rula Jebreal
This series highlights Palestinian women, both within and outside of Palestine, as they create their personal stories in defining who they are as Palestinian women, while integrating them into the larger public narrative of the war in Gaza and more.
Rula Jebreal is a Palestinian foreign policy analyst, journalist, novelist, and screenwriter. Rula brough
Palestinian Women Voices with Etaf Rum
This series highlights Palestinian women, both within and outside of Palestine, as they create their personal stories in defining who they are as Palestinian women, while integrating them into the larger public narrative of the war in Gaza and more.
Etaf Rum, a Palestinian American novelist and New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur, who ha
Palestinian Women Voices with Linda Sarsour
This series highlights Palestinian women, both within and outside of Palestine, as they create their personal stories in defining who they are as Palestinian women, while integrating them into the larger public narrative of the war in Gaza and more.
Linda Sarsour challenges media bias against Arabs and Muslims, sharing post - 9/11 experiences in NYC. Em
Palestinian Women Voices with Dana Dajani
This series highlights Palestinian women, both within and outside of Palestine, as they create their personal stories in defining who they are as Palestinian women, while integrating them into the larger public narrative of the war in Gaza and more.
Embark on a heartfelt journey with Dana Dajani, a Palestinian poet and actress, as she opens up about the
Palestinian Women Voices with Leen Al Faqih
This series highlights Palestinian women, both within and outside of Palestine, as they create their personal stories in defining who they are as Palestinian women, while integrating them into the larger public narrative of the war in Gaza and more.
Leen Al Faqih, a 28-year-old Palestinian Jordanian, holds a master’s degree in women and child abuse and
S6E4: A conversation with Lana Medawar
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 rad
S6E3: A conversation with Dr. Shurooq Amin
Born in Kuwait on the 10th 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 var
S6E2: A conversation with Dr. Zainab Salbi
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 tha
S6E1: A conversation with Dr. Lina Abi Rafeh
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 deg
S5 E7: Reflections on Justice & Beauty in Muslim Marriages: Towards Egalitarian Ethics
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 Ca
S5 E6: Law And Practice featuring Dr. Sa‘diyya Shaikh
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 Ca
S5 E5: Law And Practice featuring Dr. Marwa Sharafeldin
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 Ca
S5 E4: Islamic Legal Theory & Ethics featuring Dr. Nevin Reda
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 Ca
S5 E3: Lessons From the Prophet featuring Dr. Sara Ababneh & Dr. Shadaab Rahemtulla
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 Ca
S5 E2: The Qurʾan featuring Dr. Omaima Abou-Bakr & Dr. Nur Rofiah
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 Ca
S5 E1: Introduction featuring Dr. Mulki Al-Sharmani
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 Ca
S4 Voices Across Genres Ep 10: Season Recap
Thank you for listening to Women of the Middle East, Season 4. This episode is a short recap looking back at our guests, their feminist perspective and their stories. I hope you will join us for Season 5, coming soon!
Our Social Media Handles:Website: https://linktr.ee/wme_podcast | https://amalalmalki.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wmepodcast
S4 Voices Across Genres Ep 9: Unleashing the Power of Groups, Grassroots Movements and Communities with Nisreen Haj Ahmad
Nisreen Haj Ahmad is the director & co-founder of Ahel, a social enterprise that offers community organizing and leadership training and coaching. It partners with constituency groups and organizations to build their power and help them run grassroots campaigns. She is coaching grassroots campaigns and leaders in Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syri
S4 Voices Across Genres Ep 8: Education, Philanthropy, and Women’s Empowerment featuring Naza Alakija
About the guest:
Naza Alakija is an Iranian humanitarian and an adviser to a number of leading global institutions. She is the Founder & CEO of Sage Foundation, an NGO which works across the pillars of education, the support of women & girls, and climate action. Naza is an advocate for girls’ access to education and is dedicated to funding innov
S4 Voices Across Genres Ep 7: Gender Inclusion, Diversity, and Sports featuring Aziza Nait Sibaha
About the guest:
Aziza Nait Sibaha was born in Morocco, where she began her career as a journalist in 1997. She is both a Senior TV Anchor and Editor-in-Chief at the Paris-based France 24 news channel, Sciences-Po, and Harvard Alumna. She is also a Public Speaking trainer and a gender diversity advocate. as well as the founder of Taja Sport; a media pla
S4 Voices Across Genres Ep 6: Women’s activism, conflict zones, and digital media featuring Diana Moukalled
About the guest:
Diana Moukalled is a Lebanese journalist, feminist, and documentary producer/director with almost 30 years of experience in the media industry and writing and producing stories in the Middle East. As one of the leading female war correspondents in the Arab world, her war coverages included Lebanon, Afghanistan (2001), Iraq (2003), and Y
S4 Voices Across Genres Ep 5: Altering the narrative: The power of positivity, drama therapy, and resilience featuring Her Highness Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah
About the guest:
Her Highness Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah is a Kuwaiti philanthropist, author, columnist, social entrepreneur, film producer, founder & CEO, and princess of the House of Al-Sabah, the ruling family of Kuwait. She is committed to philanthropic excellence with respect to her vision of fostering Peace in the Arab world and beyond.
Social M
S4 Voices Across Genres Ep 4: Featuring Honey Thaljieh (This episode is sponsored by Amazing Generation)
About the guest:
Honey is co-founder of women’s football in Palestine, the first captain of the Palestinian national football team, the first woman in the Middle East to obtain a FIFA Master’s and to be employed by FIFA (Fédération International de Football Association). Honey is a role model to women and girls throughout the Arab world and an inspira
S4 Voices Across Genres Ep 3: The super-power of self-esteem, hybridity, and mindfulness w Her Highness Sayyida Basma Al-Said
Our Guest Info: HH AlSayyida Basma Al Said, born to a mother from the UK and an Omani father, is a well-established Mental Health Clinical Counselor & hypnotherapist, and PTSD trainer with over 21 years of experience seeing and treating patients with a wide array of disorders. She is the founder of “Whispers of Serenity”; Oman’s first-of-its-kind me
S4 Ep 2: Health awareness and Intimate Studies w Dr. Shereen El-Feki
Born to a Welsh mother and an Egyptian father, Dr. Shereen is a British, Egyptian, and Canadian intimate-rights advocate, author, and activist working on issues related to health and social welfare in the Arab region -- including intimate attitudes toward sexual (and political) freedoms
Social media handles are:
Twitter and Insta: @shereenelfeki
TikTo
S4 Voices Across Genres Ep 1: “ The body is the container of traumas”: illness narratives, disability, & women’s voices w/ Dr. Shahd Alshammari
Kuwaiti- Palestinian author of her latest book “Head Above Water: Reflections on Illness”, academic scholar, and Assistant Professor of English Literature at the Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait.
Guest Socials:
@DrShahdals
Season 3 Episode 6: A Conversation with Young Feminist MEP Hannah Neumann
The first episode of:
Dr. Amal’s conversation with Feature MEP Hannah Neumann.
More about our guest:
Hannah Neumann is the peace and human rights spokesperson of "The Greens/European Free Alliance (EFA)", Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Committee (DROI), member of the Committee on Security and Defence Policy (SEDE) and substitute in the Committee on Fo
Season 3 Episode 4: A Conversation with Young Feminist Ola Shahba
Today’s episode is featuring Ola Shahba!
Get to know more about our guest:
A social activist who contributed in founding more than one political group, including a left-wing party that emerged after the January revolution. She was also an organizing member of other formations and youth movements.
A Trainer from the Informal Education Authority, forms
Season 03 Episode 05: A Conversation with Young Feminist Aisha
Aisha is one of Qatar’s most popular singers and songwriters, with her talent, drive, and passion have led to headlining performances around the world, including at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and at the grand opening of Doha Festival City.
Check out our guest’s socials:
Instagram: @aishaofcl
Twitter: @aishaofcl
Facebook: https:/
Season 3 Episode 3: A Conversation with Young Feminist Banan AbuZainEddin [Arabic]
Banan Abu Zain Eddin is a feminist activist, co-founder, and executive director of Takatoat feminist collective and advocacy and gender trainer. She is a holder of a Diploma degree in Management of Non-Profit institutions and is currently pursuing a second Bachelor in Law. Banan have more than eight years of experience working in the civil society an
Season 3 Episode 3: A Conversation with Young Feminist Banan AbuZainEddin [Dubbed]
Banan Abu Zain Eddin is a feminist activist, co-founder, and executive director of Takatoat feminist collective and advocacy and gender trainer. She is a holder of a Diploma degree in Management of Non-Profit institutions and is currently pursuing a second Bachelor in Law. Banan have more than eight years of experience working in the civil society and
Season 3 Episode 2: Conversations with young feminists with Khawla Ksiksi
Our guest for the second episode of season 03 is Khawla Ksiksi.
Khawla Ksiksi is co-founder of the collective “Voices of Tunisian Black Women”. She is a lawyer by training and head of programmes at the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. She works mainly on environmental justice and natural resources and is heavily involved in the feminist, intersectional anti
Season 03 Episode 01: A Conversation with Young Feminist Nourah Al-Sulaiman
Nourah Al-Sulaiman is the Student Outreach Manager for the Ensaniyat Project, a Migrant-Rights.Org initiative. Nourah was able to identify injustices around her from a young age. Acknowledging the privilege she had being a Kuwaiti in the Gulf, she made it her mission to make sure injustices faced by marginalized groups in the region are addressed. Using
Season 02 Episode 03: Social Impact Women at the Frontlines: Leading the Battle Against Covid-19 by Rita Rhayem
Empower Now: Social Impact Women at the Frontlines: Leading the Battle Against Covid-19 by Rita Rhayem
Rita Rhayem
Instagram: @rita.rhayemTwitter: @ritarhayem
Humanitarian worker, Women's rights & youth advocate #CaritasLebanon
https://web.facebook.com/pg/Dr-Rita-Rhayem-611082642883935/posts/
Moderator: Hanane Benkhollouk
Notable mentions:
Season 02 Episode 02: Women Enacting Social Impact In collaboration with Executive Women
Women Enacting Social Impact: Gender Based Violence
In collaboration with Executive Women
Today's episode features Ghida Anani (@ghidaanani)
Founder & Director of ABAAD
Twitter: @GhidaAnani
ABAAD https://www.abaadmena.org
Web | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter
@abaadmena
@AbaadMENA
Other notable speakers of this season:
Dagmar Symes
Rita Rhayem
Han
Season 02 Episode 01: Women Enacting Social Impact In collaboration with Executive Women
About Executive Women:
Since its launching in 2013 in the UAE, Executive-Women has been portraying inspiring and innovative women entrepreneurs, who are changing the face of business by fearlessly daring to pursue their dreams.
These Women have emotional strength and intelligence, enabling them to balance a family life with their social lives, while als
Season 02 Episode 04: Empower Now: Social Impact- The Glass Ceiling: Ambition vs. Gender Speaker: Dagmar Symes
Get to know our episode’s speaker and moderator:
Dagmar Symes
Dagmar’s first General Manager position was at Hotel Chateau Grand Barrail in Saint Emilion, France. She then spent 12 years in a managerial capacity in the luxury jewelry business and worked in flagship stores of renowned brands such as BVLGARI and Louis Vuitton in France and Germany where s
Episode 9: Women in Conflict Zones: Palestinian Women with Randa Siniora
Randa Siniora is the General Director of the Women's Center for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC). She is a human rights and women’s rights activists with a professional experience in the field of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law for over 35 years. Earlier, she was the Senior Executive Director of the Palestinian Independent Commission fo
Ep 8: I choose to challenge, International Women's Day
An episode created to celebrate women everywhere!
Happy international women’s day to you all!
Get to know all the feminists featured in our podcast episode:
Banan AbuZainEddin CO-FOUNDER & Executive Director
Takatoat | Amman | Jordan Socials:
Facebook| Banan Abo Zain Aldeen Twitter| @abuzaineddin Instagram| abuzaineddin
Samia Malki
P
Episode 7: Covid-19 and Violence Against Women
Our guests:Dr Al-Sharekh is the Director of Ibtkar Strategic Consultancy leading political, leadership and diversity training programs in Kuwait and the GCC region, and has held senior consultative and teaching positions in academic, governmental and non-governmental institutions in the Arabian Gulf and abroad, and is a board member of several academic
Episode 6: Women in Lebanon - A Story of Struggle with Zeina Abdel Khalik
Get to know our Episode guest:
Zeina is a feminist and human rights advocate with a BS in Biology (2002) and Masters in Public Health (2004) from The American University of Beirut. Zeina is a certified gender trainer from KIT University- Amsterdam and have been working with International Organizations for the past 10 years as a development and gender ex
Episode 5: The Personal is Political with Rawaa K. Augé
About our guest:
Rawaa Augé is the Presenter and producer of “women voices” or “bekasretta” at Al Jazeera Arabic Channel.
Rawaa joined Al Jazeera as a news presenter in 2014, covering a series of reports from the Central African republic, Bosnia, and Lebanon. She covers numerous events for Al Jazeera, including coverage of the United Nations Genera
Episode 4: Conversation with Intisar AlAmyal
Intisar Al-Amyal is a leading figure in the Iraqi women’s rights organisation “Iraqi Women’s League,” where she works to combat discrimination, increase equality between the sexes, and safeguard the right of education for all Iraqi children and youths. She also educates women and young people on the importance of participating in political life.
She is
Episode 3: Women in Conflict Zones with Sama'a Al-Hamdani
About our guest:
Sama'a Al-Hamdani is an independent analyst focusing on Yemeni political dynamics, focusing on the role of regional actors in Yemen's war and the obstacles in the path of transitional justice post-conflict. Previously, she was a non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI), a visiting fellow at the Center for Contemporary Arab
Episode 2: Arab Women Beyond Stereotypes with Dr. Hadeel Qazzaz
Our new episode is a conversation with Dr Hadeel Qazzaz , Oxfam International Regional Gender Coordinator. On Arab Women Beyond Stereotypes.
About Our Guest:Dr. Hadeel Qazzaz, Program Director-Pro-Poor Integrity in Integrity Action. She was born in Gaza Shati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, a specialist in gender and development. She received her Ed.D.
Episode 1: The Persistent Stereotypical Images of Arab Women in the West
This episode includes; Examples from “Arab Women” book, an interview with Dr Evelyn Alsultany, and special performance by Aisha.
