Sarah Awji

What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?

Growing up as an ambitious and multi-dimensional woman in a patriarchal society, I couldn't turn a blind eye to the inequities and inequalities that us women face on a daily basis. Majorly, all my efforts towards gender equality till today were driven by my sense of moral responsibility as a woman, to facilitate the way for other women before and after me. In addition to that, I noticed explicit and implicit discrimination in laws and regulations, the absence of women in politics and decision-making positions, the prevalence of misogynistic and outdated narratives, as well as unnecessary stigma around women’s reproductive health rights and decisions in the MENA region. In other words, the current erroneous cultural and social norms that don’t favor women’s best interests nor respect or empower them fueled my decision to advocate for gender issues. Growing up in my community, friends and friends of friends regularly reported to me their violence survival stories or clandestine cries for help. I witnessed live examples of gender-based violence and domestic violence at an alarming rate that I decided to dedicate myself to help from where I am and from what I have. It was also at the same time that “Femicide” or the killing of women was becoming a terrifying prevalent criminal phenomenon in Lebanon.

Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.

My biggest wins are measured by my ability to reach and help as many women as possible through my advocacy work. If I have facilitated the path of women before me and after me then I have succeeded. If I was able to lead by example and inspire others and create impact, then I have succeeded. In 2019, I volunteered with KAFA (Enough Exploitation and Violence) and referred abused women to legal and social services that help them escape violence. I also worked with UNWOMEN on qualitative and quantitative research that targets gender-based violence against reporters and brings it to light. I had also participated in projects that empower women’s political life participation and decision making skills. I co-created with my law colleagues a feminist legal initiative that targets discrimination against women in laws and regulations in Lebanon. Currently, I help expand awareness on women’s health and their right to access safe reproductive health and family planning services including the right to safe abortion. I expand awareness through written content, direct advocacy work, and speaking in webinars and conferences. I also advocate for safe return of refugees, their protection, status under international law, and their overall empowerment.

Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?

I love spirituality and all creative forms of self-expression (dancing, writing) and self-development. I enjoy learning new languages, regularly meditating, connecting with people, going on walks, and traveling. I’m also a huge coffee enthusiast. I enjoy building my legal knowledge by reading legal articles online and researching.