Leah Kimathi is a professional peacemaker. She brings a depth of experience to the field and clarity of vision in how she utilizes the tools of conflict mitigation. Her on-the-ground know how, as well as her philosophical approach to the work, gives her a unique blend between practitioner and academic when it comes to healing divisions in society. In this episode of Fatima's Hand, Leah covers a great deal of ground – from the conditions of parts of Africa after the cold war and its influence on civic empowerment, to the spiritual side of peacemaking and what women need to do to gain more political power in society. Leah also opens up about the role of family in keeping her centered, the pressures she feels as a single mother, and the self-care needed to keep seeing the light in people.

Episode 3: Peace, Conflict and Motherhood

Fatima’s Hand features change agents across the globe fighting for equality. Combining politics with everyday activism, hear inspiring stories and practical advice from women in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Each show addresses a hot topic on the issue of women’s political participation and leadership, and the person behind it – what is their story, experience and insights? What are the roots of their activism? And how do they stay balanced as women – mothers, sisters, aunties?

Personal Journals

Society & Culture

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

In Season 4 of Fatima’s Hand, hear Esra Özsüer talk about the need for leadership in the midst of crisis and how her own journey to help Syrian refugee children unfolded, moving from businesswoman to philanthropist and NGO leader.

Episode 9: From Empathy to Action, One Family’s Journey Helping Syrian Children Heal

In the second episode of our Turkey series, we dig deeper into what bringing a gender perspective to politics means with Gülseren Onanç, the founder of the Equality, Justice and Women Platform in Turkey. Gülseren draws on her diverse experience as a businesswoman, politician, nonprofit leader – as well as a young basketball player where she first fought for equality – in a discussion about the formation of an independent feminist movement that works towards social change and the pursuit of a universal women’s rights agenda. In this free ranging conversation, Gülseren talks about why a woman’s touch is needed in politics, the role of violence against women, and how victimization can lead to empowerment. Gülseren talks openly about the influences in her life and exposure to people and places that have shaped her perspective, and the ways she is shaping a feminist conversation with women of diverse background and ages in Turkey.

Episode 8: Moms and Madonna – Sources of Empowerment for Equality in Turkey

The first episode of our Turkey series focuses on women’s rights in a male dominated culture with lessons learned from Fatma Çiğdem Aydın, an architect of the modern women’s movement. Çiğdem has shaped a multitude of initiatives for gender equality to help women pushback against discriminatory cultural expectations and gain more power in politics. As someone not afraid to speak her mind, she has encouraged women to stand up for their rights and be “a little naughty” in order to get things done.

Episode 7: Challenging Rigid Gender Roles in Turkey by Being a Bit Naughty

It’s not enough to simply recognize sexism exists in society. In order to call out sexism and create the conditions for equality we must move people into action. In the second episode of our Ukraine series, Iryna Slavinska shares background on the practical steps she is taking as a coordinator of a campaign to combat sexism in media and politics in Ukraine. Her experience as a journalist gives her unique insights about how to create reforms within media to address patterns of sexism that perpetuate negative steretoypes about women in Ukraine.

Episode 6: Practical Steps for Combatting Sexism in Media & Politics

Progress towards women's empowerment and gender equality in Ukraine is one of the most exciting changes taking place since the revolution in 2014. In this episode of Fatima's Hand, we talk with Olena Yena, one of the architects of the strategy guiding these transformations by creating the conditions for equal partnerships in governmental and societal reform. Episode 5 of Fatima's Hand holds many lessons for other countries where women are waking up to the reality that they don't have as much power as they thought, but are willing to fight to change things - in themselves, their culture and their country.

Episode 3: Peace, Conflict and Motherhood

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