The Oxford Syria Society is pleased to invite you to a discussion with Syrian women’s rights civil society leaders to discuss the nature and challenges of their work in time of revolution and war. In a discussion with Maria Alabdeh and Ameenah Sawwan, moderated by Zeina Kanawati, we will hear about women’s rights organizing, challenges, and lessons learned. We will also learn about the disproportionate impact of war on women, and about a feminist perspective on justice and representation.

Maria Al Abdeh is Executive Director of Women Now for Development. Albdeh joined Women Now for Development in November 2013, accompanying the growth of the organization to become the largest women empowerment centers in Syria and the neighboring countries. In March, Dr. Albdeh received the Award of Feminine Success in France, and together with WND received in May 2016 the Award of ‘Delivering Lasting Change’ for commitment to Justice and Dignity from CARE international.

Ameenah A. Sawwan is a Berlin-based Syrian campaigner and activist. She has extensive experience in campaigning, advocacy, communications, and media, and has spent the last eight years working on Syria justice-related NGOs and media outlets, lastly as a Justice and Accountability Campaigner in the Syria Campaign, a London-based NGO supporting Syrians in their struggle for freedom and democracy. Sawwan is also a member of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement.

Zeina Kanawati is a Syrian journalist by training, a feminist and a women’s rights defender. She is the Communications Manager at Women Now for Development and an editor and writer for Raseef22, a mainly-Arabic media network in Beirut, Lebanon.