MENA Team Embraces 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Every year since 1991, the global community has marked 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25–December 10). This year’s campaign focused on uniting to end digital violence against women and girls. Our Salam@ MENA team used this moment to showcase new research, launch two powerful books, and work with allies across the region to strengthen and amplify women’s voices in public life.
Celebrating women’s research accomplishments
With IDRC support, the team has convened dozens of women researchers to unpack the complexities of digital gender-based violence across the MENA region. Together, they have built what is effectively the world’s Arabic library on this topic — covering most MENA countries. Along the way, they have forged a strong community of researchers, practitioners and leaders whose work is already shaping policy and frontline responses.
Access the DVAW research: English collection | Arabic collection
Digital Shadows: Engaging youth through fiction
On December 3, again with IDRC support, we were excited to release Digital Shadows by Meriem Narimane Noumeur. This Arabic youth novel explores pressures shaping young people’s digital lives — body-image anxiety, cyber-bullying, virtual relationships and dual identity. Grounded in our MENA research, Digital Shadows translates complex findings on digital violence into an accessible and compelling story for teens, parents and educators.
📘 Access a digital version of Digital Shadows (Arabic)
Journalists tell women’s stories of digital violence
On December 6, we co-launched Digital Violence: Through Their Eyes, In Their Voices, a powerful collection of reports by women journalists spanning eight MENA countries. Their stories show how women and girls are targeted and suppressed online — but also how they are resisting, supporting one another and reclaiming digital space. With IDRC support, we spearheaded this collection with Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) and co-released it at their annual forum.
📘 Access a digital version from ARIJ (available here in English)
Connecting research and practice with ARIJ
At the 18th Annual Forum of the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) — which brought together more than 900 participants in Amman and around 1,600 more online — our team helped connect evidence, storytelling, and practice on digital violence against women. Our MENA lead, Dr. Raed M. Sharif, facilitated a session on women-led networks and joined a panel on documenting experiences of violence through investigations and creative writing. There were also plenty of opportunities to celebrate the two books we recently co-launched.
Digital clinics: Frontline support
Wherever the team goes, you’ll likely find a Salam@ Digital Clinic — ready to help anyone facing mobile-device digital-safety issues. On November 25 in Amman, they joined the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s 16 Days campaign launch. Even Princess Basma bint Talal visited the booth! A few days later, the clinic was back in action at the ARIJ annual forum, offering hands-on support to participants.
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