“Political Is Personal” is a dialogue from and to the MENA region, where we discuss personal, social, and political issues within the framework of achieving sustainable feminist peace.
Each episode will take you on a journey of stories, facts, and shocking realities, where you will learn a lot about the challenges and accomplishments of women in MENA, as well as the amazing work done by feminists and feminist organisations in the region.
This Arabic-language podcast series features remarkable experts and feminist activists, who shed light on sensitive and urgent topics from a gender-sensitive perspective, such as life under occupation; online violence against women; the crisis of statelessness; and more.
LISTEN TO POLITICAL IS PERSONAL
Episode 1
Personal and political experiences of women's meaningful participation in Syria
In this episode, four remarkable Syrian feminists engage in an exciting and inspirational discussion on women’s meaningful participation before and after the uprisings of 2011.
Sabah Alhallak – Researcher on women’s issues and member of the Constitutional Committee
Mariam Jalabi – Syrian feminist activist and politician
Sabiha Khalil – Feminist and political activist
Oula Ramadan – Founder and CEO of Badael Foundation
Host: Rula Asad, founding partner and executive director of the Syrian Female Journalists Network (SFJN)
Episode 2
Women of Palestine: Life under occupation and decades of feminist movement
Through their personal and political experiences, Palestinian feminist activists and researchers reflect on the status of women in Palestine, touching on the development of the feminist movement, tactics of feminist activism, the role played by social media in the recent events of Sheikh Jarrah, and more.
Hanan Awwad – Veterna Palestinian writer, and president and founder of WILPF Palestine
Amal Abu Sorour – Project Manager at the Women’s Center for Legal and Social Counseling
Jerusalemite Reem Hammad – Palestinian educator and active female voice in awareness campaigns to save Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood
Host: Sabreen Taha, a Jerusalem-based journalist and producer
Episode 3
Online violence against women in the MENA region: ‘I have the right to be safe’
Expert guests from Egypt, Iraq, and Syria discuss the different forms of online violence and its impacts, based on their personal experiences and expertise. They also share a number of tools and tips to address this growing phenomenon.
Mina Al-Sada – Project Officer at Public Aid Organization (PAO), Iraq
Rola Assad – Founding partner and executive director of the Syrian Female Journalists Network (SFJN), Syria
Radwa Fouda – Information technology officer at the Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance (CEWLA), and activist and researcher in digital rights and gender issues, Egypt
Host – Journalist and feminist activist Maysaa Al Amoudi
Episode 4
The crisis of statelessness in the Syrian context: My nationality is a right for me and my children
In this episode, our guests discuss the issue of statelessness in Syria. They engage in a discussion about the root causes of the crisis (legally and socially), its implications on women and children, as well as the role of civil society organisations, and some recommendations to combat this growing phenomenon.
Sabah Alhallak – Researcher on women’s issues and member of the Constitutional Committee
Hiam Haj Ali – Field researcher, feminist activist, and human rights defender
Lubna Al-kanawati – Feminist activist and member of Women Now for Development Organisation
Host: Rasha Altabshi – Journalist, founder of the Syrian Initiative to Combat Statelessness, and founding member of the Advocacy and Documentation “Warsha” team
Episode 5
Towards Feminist Peace in Yemen: A Solution Without Women = Half A Solution.
In this episode, our guests discuss the role of Yemeni feminists in influencing and reshaping peace processes, and the importance of women’s participation in the peace process in Yemen, shedding light on the Feminist Roadmap for Peace — a guiding framework for mediation and negotiation to support a lasting, comprehensive, and just peace.
Feminist expert, Houria Mashhour: A founding member of the National Accord Movement and a member of the advisory team for the UN Envoy’s Office in Yemen
Political and media activist Nora Al-Jarawi: President of the Yemeni Women’s Coalition for Peace
Feminist expert Maha Awad: President of the Wajud Foundation for Human Security
Host – President of the Peace Track Initiative and a member of the National Commission for Consultation and Reconciliation in Yemen Rasha Jarhum
Episode 6
Women in The Face of Climate Change and Conflicts: Between Palestine, Yemen, and Syria
In this episode, our guests Randa Siniora from Palestine and Dr. Nadia Al-Saqqaf from Yemen discuss with colleague Rula Asad from Syria the impact of climate change on women and girls in the Middle East and North Africa region, and the nexus between climate, conflict, and militarisation from a feminist perspective.
Randa Siniora: Palestinian human rights and women’s rights activist – General Director of the Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling in Jerusalem (WCLAC)
Dr. Nadia Sakkaf: Independent Yemeni researcher and Director of Research at Arabia Brain Trust
The dialogue was moderated by Rula Asad, Syrian journalist and activist – confounder and executive director of the Syrian Female Journalists Network
Episode 7
Redesigning The Peace Table
In this very special episode of Political Is Personal, which was recorded in New York on the sidelines of the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Woman, we discuss the idea of the peace table — what does it mean? Who is currently sitting on it? And how to imagine a better version of that outdated table?
Hajer Sharief: Peace and human rights activist and co-founder of Together We Build It, Libya
Linda Al Obahi: Adviser on Yemeni political affairs and peacebuilding, and senior mediation and communication officer at Peace Track Initiative, Yemen
Host: Syrian human rights advocate, and founder and Director of Badael organisation Oula Ramadan.
Episode 8
MENA Feminisms across Generations
Hooreya Mashoor: Founding member of the National Accord Movement and a member of the advisory team for the UN Envoy’s Office in Yemen
Asma Khalifa: Libyan activist and researcher, working in the field of human rights, women’s rights and youth empowerment
Lian Derini: Community organiser at Kyan, and coordinator of the feminist coalition “FADA- Palestinian Women Against Violence”
Episode 9
Breaking the Silence: A Glimpse On The Crimes of Enforced Disappearance in Yemen and Syria
In this episode, we shed light on the phenomenon of enforced disappearances in conflict contexts from a gender perspective. We explore the experiences of detained women and relatives of the disappeared in Syria and Yemen. We delve into how enforced disappearances disproportionately impact women and girls, from the depths of confinement to the profound effects on families. We also discuss the efforts of leading feminist activists in the fight against enforced disappearances.
Fadwa Mahmoud from the “Families for Freedom” campaign in Syria
Dr. Amat Al-Salam, a Yemeni activist who participated in establishing the Mothers of the Abductees Association and currently leads it
Host: Thuraya Hajazi, a feminist and political activist, and the director of “Release Me” — an organisation working to empower survivors of violence in the northwestern regions of Syria.
Episode 10
Unpacking The Root Causes of Violence and Conflict: Between Palestine, Yemen, and Syria
In this episode, we host inspiring feminist activists from Palestine, Syria, and Yemen, who have long dedicated their efforts to the process of building feminist peace in the region. Their views and experiences regarding the challenges of occupation and the patriarchal system, and their struggle for peace and justice, shed light on the root causes fueling current conflicts, and the necessity of adopting a feminist approach to achieve peace in the region.
Amal Abusrour: Project Manager at the Women’s Center for Legal and Counseling – Palestine
Hend Omairan: Feminist Partnership Officer at the Peace Path Initiative – Yemen
Episode 11
Special Episode — Voices for Change from COP28
This episode, captured just steps away from the negotiation rooms of COP 28, not only mirrors the vibrant energy of the conference but also underscores the vital link between climate, gender, and conflict, particularly in Syria and Yemen.
Guests take us through their enriching journey at the conference, sharing pivotal insights on gender-focused discussions and the broader impacts of climate change.
Rula Asad: Feminist activist and founding member of the Peace Track Initiative, Yemen
Nesmah Mansour: Feminist researcher and journalist, and founding member of the Syrian Female Journalists Network
Episode 12
Beyond Survival — Between War, Politics, and the Earthquake
Ahlam Almilaji: Founder and President of The Board of Directors of the Zenobia Association
Lubna Kanawaty: Deputy Executive Director at Women Now for Development
Host: Hanadi Alloush, Program Manager at Damma Hug Association
Episode 13
War Economies Through a Feminist Lens: Between Syria, Yemen, and Palestine
This episode episode features an engaging discussion with feminist activists from Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. Together, we examine how women in these regions navigate and reshape their economic environments amidst ongoing political upheaval and societal challenges.
Amal Abousrour, Director of Programs at the Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling (WCLAC), Palestine
Hend Omairan, Feminist Partnership Officer at The Peace Track Initiative (PTI), Yemen
Ghenwa al Shoumari, Program Manager at Release Me, Syria
Host: Neshtman Khalaf, Director at GAV for Relief and Development, Syria.
Episode 14
Sudan: The Feminist Movement in Time of War
In this episode, we meet inspiring Sudanese feminist activists to shed light on the impact of the April 2023 war on civil society, particularly the feminist movement. Together, we discuss the disproportionate impacts of the conflict on feminist activists and women human rights defenders in Sudan. We celebrate the determination and resilience of Sudanese women and civil activists despite all challenges, and we spotlight their inspiring stories and narratives.
Dr. Asha Al-Kareb: Feminist activist, women’s and girls’ rights defender, and founder of several feminist associations
Asala Salah: Writer, feminist activist, and grassroots advocate
Host: Samar Abushama, a feminist activist interested in social justice and gender equality, engaged in documentation, writing, and advocacy on human rights violations in Sudan
Episode 15
Backlash and Feminist Resistance: Between Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Libya
This episode captures the intersectional struggles of feminist activists and human rights defenders from Yemen, Libya, Palestine and Syria. By sharing their experiences, these women highlight the personal toll of anti-feminist backlash and the profound effects on our movements. Their insights shed light on how we continue to resist, the pressing need for global solidarity, and what it means to advocate for peace and justice against all odds.
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DO YOU WANT MORE?
You’re in luck! You can listen to all of the podcasts produced by WILPF and our Sections on wilpf.org.
If you feel passionate about the topics discussed in Political Is Personal, learn more about WILPF and partners’ work in the MENA region on wilpf.org.
Looking for more feminist resources in Arabic or English? You will find many guides, knowledge tools, videos, and infographics covering various issues on WILPF’s MENA Hub.