2020
Sara El Outa
- Age: 29
- | She/her/hers
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We, as young feminists, have no limits to what we can accomplish in all fields. We are limitless and strong enough to break toxic power dynamics when it comes to standing up for women's rights. Let's change the way everyone perceives strength and power.
- Sara El Outa
Bio
Sara El Outa was born and raised in Lebanon. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from The Lebanese University in 2014. As an EU MADAD Project Manager, Sara provides technical advice on GBV, case management, and psychosocial support, creates work plans and schedules for project completion, represents RDFL in all consortium meetings, and documents the work of successful stories to ensure that the projects are producing positive results in women’s lives. As Executive Director at Safe Side, she develops and implements strategies aiming to promote the organization’s mission and vision, builds an effective team of leaders by providing guidance and coaching, directs projects and fundraising efforts, forges and maintains relations of trust with donors and partners, and acts as the public speaker and public relations representative of the organization.
Additionally, Sara is a member of Fe-Male Organization, a member of “My Fair Home” Network in Lebanon led by the International Labor Organization, Civil Rights Activist with Advanced Democracy for Sustainable Peace, and Elections’ Observer with The Lebanese Democratic Association for Elections.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
I have lived in an environment where I have witnessed mothers losing custody after a long struggle to attain divorce. I have lived in a neighborhood where girls are forced to get married to old men. I have lived for so many years in a country where legislation is unfair to women and where a man can kill his wife and escape from punishment. Living in a complex patriarchal society, it always felt wrong to accept the situation. So I chose to join every movement against patriarchy instead of accepting the reality!
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
My biggest win is organizing the National Consultation Conference on child marriage on 4 December 2018 at the Lebanese Parliament. This was part of my job at RDFL. The success behind it is that I was able to convince the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and the Vice President of the Committee on the Rights of the Child to come to Lebanon and be the main speakers in the conference. Moreover, the conference gathered experts, national and international NGOs, and survivors of child marriage to share their stories. And most importantly, this conference amplified the advocacy work of RDFL.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
I usually like to dance a lot. I also like to cook, play games with my daughter, or meet up with friends. And if it's summer, I will go enjoy the beach.
Languages Spoken:
- Arabic (Advanced/Native)
- English (Intermediate)
- French (Elementary)
- English (Intermediate)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- child marriage
- youth participation and leadership
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Swedish Institute Leader Lab Program Training by the Swedish Institute
- Gender-Sensitive Media Coverage in Conflict/Post Conflict Situations for Girls and Women
- Survivors of GBV Certification by Fe-Male and Abaad NGOs
- Arab Youth Advocating for Gender Equality and Women Rights UNESCO Regional Training Certification
- Security for Women Certification by the Institute for Women's Studies in the Arab World LAU
- Participatory Action Research with Youth Project Certification by UNICEF
- Young Global Changer 2020
- Swedish Institute Leader
