The BBC has revealed its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2024. This year’s list highlights resilience and innovation amid global challenges, celebrating women who are pushing boundaries and leading change in diverse fields. It also underscores the ongoing impact of the climate emergency, featuring pioneers tackling its effects in their communities.
Here are the remarkable women from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region who made it to the list:
Names are listed in no particular order.
Plestia Alaqad, Palestine
Journalist and Writer
At just 22 years old, Plestia Alaqad has emerged as a powerful voice from Gaza. Shortly after graduating university, she found herself documenting the intense Israeli airstrikes from her apartment. One of her videos went viral, catapulting her into global attention and gaining her four million Instagram followers.
Through poems, diary entries, and updates, Alaqad offered a raw and personal lens into life in Gaza.
Her upcoming memoir, Eyes of Gaza, chronicles these experiences. Recognized for her impact, Alaqad has been named One Young World’s Journalist of the Year 2024. She has also raised awareness for Palestinian issues at prominent events, including the World Government Summit.
After leaving Gaza in November 2023, Alaqad was awarded a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in media studies in Beirut, continuing her journey as a storyteller and advocate.
Fawzia al-Otaibi, Saudi Arabia/UK
Women’s Rights Campaigner
Fawzia al-Otaibi has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, particularly in opposing the male guardianship system. Leveraging social media as her platform, she gained a significant following before being summoned for questioning by Saudi authorities. Concerned for her safety, al-Otaibi fled the country.
Her activism has taken on an even more personal dimension following the arrest of her sister Manahel al-Otaibi, also a women’s rights advocate, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for charges reportedly tied to her online expression and clothing choices. Another sister, Maryam, faces a travel ban.
Undeterred, al-Otaibi continues to campaign tirelessly for Manahel’s release and draws attention to the increasing crackdown on dissent in Saudi Arabia, where many are being imprisoned for social media activity.
Zhina Modares Gorji, Iran
Women’s Rights Campaigner
Kurdish journalist and activist Zhina Modares Gorji has dedicated her life to combating violence against women. She co-founded the Zhivano Women’s Association in 2019, which uses education and protest as tools for change.
A key figure in Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom movement, Modares Gorji has faced significant persecution. Arrested twice, she was initially sentenced to 21 years in prison for charges such as “propaganda against the regime.” Her sentence was later reduced to two years and four months, which she is currently serving.
Her activism spans various initiatives, including the One Million Signatures campaign advocating for legislative reform to address gender discrimination. Modares Gorji also spearheaded a Kurdish women’s photography collective, a podcast centered on women’s issues, and a children’s book celebrating inspiring Kurdish women.
Maheder Haileselassie, Ethiopia
Photographer
Ethiopian photographer Maheder Haileselassie uses her lens to shed light on the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. In landscapes marred by dried rivers and failed crops, she documents how severe drought forces families to marry off their daughters to survive.
Her poignant series Between Yesterday and Tomorrow earned her the 2023 Contemporary African Photography Prize.
Global human rights organizations predict that by 2050, the climate crisis could increase the number of girls at risk of child marriage by a third.
Haileselassie’s work is deeply informed by the stories of those she meets and her personal connection to their struggles.
Her photographs have been featured in esteemed exhibitions, including the 2024 African Biennale of Photography, solidifying her as a leading voice in visual storytelling.
Hend Sabry, Tunisia
Actress
Hend Sabry stands as one of the most iconic figures in Arab cinema. Her breakthrough came with her powerful portrayal in the feminist film The Silences of the Palace (1994), which delved into the sexual and social exploitation of women in Tunisia.
In 2019, she became the first Arab woman to serve as a judge at the Venice Film Festival. Recently, she starred in Four Daughters, Tunisia’s official submission for the 2024 Oscars and a nominee for Best Documentary Feature.
In November, Sabry made headlines by resigning as a UN goodwill ambassador in protest against the use of starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. Her advocacy reflects her belief in rebuilding and finding purpose through adversity, transforming pain into meaningful action.
Hinda Abdi Mohamoud, Somalia
Journalist
From her early days of writing stories about people fleeing violence, Hinda Abdi Mohamoud has grown into a trailblazer for women in Somali media. As the chief editor of Bilan, Somalia’s first all-women media team, she is leading efforts to combat sexism and harassment, challenges outlined in a recent UN report.
Bilan covers deeply rooted social issues in one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, including the stigmatization of people with HIV, abused orphans, and individuals with albinism ostracized by their communities.
Mohamoud’s work not only amplifies marginalized voices but also breaks barriers for women in journalism, setting a precedent for future generations.
Christina Assi, Lebanon
Photojournalist
Growing up in 1990s Lebanon, a country scarred by civil war, Christina Assi was inspired to document conflict and give voice to the untold stories of war. Her career took a heartbreaking turn in October 2023, when an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon left her severely injured.
The attack killed journalist Issam Abdallah and injured five other colleagues; Assi later underwent a leg amputation. Despite the tragedy, Assi has turned her personal loss into a mission, advocating for journalist safety in conflict zones.
She honored fallen journalists by participating in the 2024 Olympic torch relay in Paris, carrying their legacy forward through her resilience and determination.
Sara Berkai, UK/Eritrea
Designer of DIY Science Kits
Born to Eritrean parents in Sudan and raised in London, Sara Berkai was the first in her family to attend university, where she studied child development. She is the founder of Ambessa Play, a social enterprise that creates DIY educational kits for children and actively involves them in toy design.
Berkai’s innovative kits provide out-of-school children worldwide with the chance to learn through play. The idea was born during her STEM workshops with displaced children in Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2019.
Recognized as a trailblazer, she has been featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for social impact and other prestigious platforms. Berkai’s philosophy is encapsulated in her belief:
“Resilience is optimism in practice – a steadfast commitment to a better future, rooted in love.”
Shireen Abed, Palestine
Pediatrician
Despite the devastation caused by Israeli airstrikes and extreme resource shortages, Dr. Shireen Abed remained dedicated to saving the lives of newborns in Gaza. Displaced after her apartment was bombed in 2023, the neonatal specialist continued her work in displacement camps, adapting her expertise to provide critical care.
With years of experience leading neonatal units, including at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Abed developed emergency protocols to equip medics with life-saving skills under dire conditions.
She also trained colleagues to sustain care amidst the chaos.
After relocating with her two daughters, Abed now supports doctors in Gaza remotely, proving that her commitment to her patients transcends borders.
Yasmeen Mjalli, Palestine
Fashion Designer
Yasmeen Mjalli channels the essence of Palestinian culture and resilience into her work as a fashion designer. Raised in the American South, she later moved to Ramallah, where she founded the Nöl Collective in 2020.
Her brand collaborates with family-run sewing workshops, women’s cooperatives, and spice shops that supply natural dyes to create garments steeped in tradition.
Craftspeople employ techniques like weaving, embroidery, and carving, preserving the rich heritage of Palestinian textile artistry. Mjalli’s designs go beyond fashion; they tell stories of Palestinian identity and resistance. Through her “not your habibti” campaign, she has tackled global street harassment, emblazoning the empowering phrase on denim jackets and T-shirts, giving voice to women worldwide.
Kauna Malgwi, Nigeria
Union Leader for Content Moderators
Kauna Malgwi is a trailblazer for workers’ rights in the tech and artificial intelligence (AI) industry. As the leader of Nigeria’s Content Moderators Union, she highlights the often-overlooked labor that powers AI systems.
A clinical psychologist by training, Malgwi previously worked as a content moderator for Facebook. She endured traumatic exposure to graphic videos of rape, suicide, and child abuse, leading to insomnia and paranoia. Malgwi is one of 184 former moderators suing Meta and its subcontractors in Kenya for unlawful termination and poor working conditions after a whistleblower revealed abuses. She has also testified before the European Parliament, championing better protections for content moderators.
“Women can challenge and change the realities of our fractured world by bringing a holistic perspective that values both technological progress and mental wellbeing.” – Kauna Malgwi
Harbia Al Himiary, Yemen
Heritage Conservation Engineer
Harbia Al Himiary has dedicated her career to reviving Yemen’s historic architecture, much of which has been devastated by years of conflict. Partnering with organizations like UNESCO, she has helped restore dozens of residential and heritage sites in Old Sana’a and beyond.
UNESCO estimates that over 16,000 culturally significant sites in Yemen have been surveyed for damage. Al Himiary’s work preserves these treasures and uplifts communities by improving living conditions and fostering local pride. She also trains residents in traditional building crafts, passing on valuable skills and inspiring young girls to pursue careers in engineering and conservation.
Nadia Murad, Iraq
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Nadia Murad has emerged as a global advocate for survivors of sexual violence, drawing from her harrowing experience during the Yazidi genocide in Iraq in 2014. Captured and enslaved by IS militants, she survived three months of abuse before escaping.
Since then, Murad has partnered with human rights lawyer Amal Clooney to hold IS accountable and founded Nadia’s Initiative, focusing on rebuilding communities and securing reparations for survivors. A decade after the genocide, she remains a symbol of resilience and an unwavering voice for justice.
“We must wield what I call ‘weapons of the spirit’ to fight for equality and justice: truth, hope, and compassion.” – Nadia Murad
Shahrnush Parsipur, Iran/US
Writer and Translator
Renowned Iranian novelist Shahrnush Parsipur has fearlessly explored taboo subjects like female oppression in her work. She first rose to prominence with her novel Women Without Men, which examines patriarchy and rebellion and was later adapted into an award-winning film.
Parsipur’s advocacy for freedom began with her resignation from Iranian National Television and Radio in protest against the execution of two poets before the 1979 revolution, an act that led to her first imprisonment. Despite censorship and repeated incarcerations, she continues to write from exile in the US, giving voice to the struggles of Iranian women.
Safa Ali, Sudan
Obstetrician
During violent clashes in Sudan, Safa Ali remained steadfast at her hospital even as shelling threatened her life. A consultant in obstetrics and gynecology, she played a critical role in evacuating pregnant women and volunteer staff to safer grounds.
Currently practicing at Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital, Ali performs life-saving procedures like Caesarean sections and addresses women’s health needs despite the conflict’s challenges.
In addition, she trains a cohort of newly graduated female doctors in obstetrics, combating the shortage of skilled medical professionals.
“Through women’s resistance, there is a promise of healing and justice. Their strength reminds me hope still exists, even in the darkest moments.” – Safa Ali
Enas Al-Ghoul, Palestine
Agricultural Engineer
Faced with severe water shortages in Gaza during the ongoing war, Enas Al-Ghoul sought an innovative solution. Using recycled materials such as wood, glass, and tarpaulins, she developed a solar-powered desalination device capable of turning seawater into drinking water.
This invention has become a lifeline for displaced families living in tents in the Khan Younis area, where water and sanitation infrastructure have been heavily damaged since October 2023 due to Israeli military actions.
In her commitment to aid displaced Palestinians, Al-Ghoul has also created solar-powered cookers and recycled materials into essential items like mattresses and bags, showcasing her ingenuity in the face of crisis.
Samia, Syria
Psychology Counselor
Amid the trauma and devastation caused by Syria’s ongoing civil war, Samia—a pseudonym used to protect her safety—works tirelessly as a psychological counselor.
Based at a mental health clinic run by the International Rescue Committee, she provides therapy to displaced individuals and families in a refugee camp in northeastern Syria. Her work addresses prevalent mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, often exacerbated by dire living conditions.
Despite limited resources, Samia remains resolute in her mission to support her patients’ mental health and to raise awareness about psychological resilience in crisis settings.
Hala Alkarib, Sudan
Activist Against Sexual Violence in War
As the regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), Hala Alkarib is a leading voice against gender-based violence. Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, she has spearheaded efforts to document and combat conflict-related sexual violence across the region.
SIHA has provided critical support to survivors, with an October 2024 UN report highlighting the staggering scale of atrocities, particularly those attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While the RSF denies the accusations, the report estimates that at least 400 survivors had sought assistance by July 2024, acknowledging this as only “the tip of the iceberg.”
Alkarib’s advocacy sheds light on the urgent need for justice and support for women and girls in conflict zones.
Inna Modja, Mali
Artist and Climate Advocate
Musician, filmmaker, and climate justice advocate Inna Modja is at the forefront of tackling critical global issues, from combatting female genital mutilation to promoting sustainability.
She produced and starred in The Great Green Wall, a documentary that showcases Africa’s ambitious project to halt desertification and rejuvenate degraded lands across the Sahel—a vast region south of the Sahara spanning 12 countries.
As a UN Convention to Combat Desertification goodwill ambassador, Modja elevates the voices of communities deeply affected by climate change. Additionally, she co-founded Code Green, a non-profit organization merging technology and gaming to drive sustainable actions.
Resilience is about fostering the ability for women and girls to lead transformative solutions.
Nour Emam, Egypt
Fem-Tech Entrepreneur
Nour Emam is breaking taboos around reproductive health and sexual awareness in the Middle East and North Africa. A leading voice in sexual health education, she addresses topics such as menstrual hygiene and contraception with clarity and compassion.
As the co-founder and CEO of Motherbeing, a fem-tech company, Emam bridges the gap between traditional healthcare and digital solutions.
Through a clinic in Cairo and an online platform, the organization empowers women by providing evidence-based knowledge and access to reliable healthcare resources.
Her mission is to help women understand their bodies, make informed decisions, and navigate sensitive issues free from stigma.
Nejla Işık, Turkey
Village Head and Forest Defender
Farmer and environmental campaigner Nejla Işık has become a leading voice in the fight against deforestation in western Turkey. Recently elected as the head of İkizköy, she has spent five years defending the Akbelen Forest from destruction.
When plans emerged to clear the forest for a coal mine, Işık rallied local women and villagers, leading protests and filing lawsuits to stop the project.
Despite clashes with authorities and the threat of fines—some of which were later revoked—she remains steadfast in protecting the environment.
Women at home, in the fields, on the streets, in the struggle… they are the ones beautifying the world, and undoubtedly, they will save it.
About the Author
Indian American Dr. Shabana Parvez, MD FACEP, is the founder of Arlington Integrative Medical Center and a distinguished leader in the field, holding board certifications in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She is the U.S. Bureau Chief for The Desi Buzz, GCCStartup.News, and Startup Berita, where she contributes her insights on healthcare and innovation. As a committed member of the Academy of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, Dr. Parvez is also pursuing a Diploma in Naturopathic Medicine from the College of Medicine and Healing Arts in Leicester, UK. Certified in contemporary cupping skills, Hijama therapy, and leech therapy, she combines traditional healing techniques with modern medicine. Dr. Parvez is fluent in Spanish, French, Urdu, Hindi, and Arabic, enabling her to connect with patients from diverse backgrounds. A passionate foodie, she enjoys creating recipes, experimenting with recipe hacks, and finding ways to make meals healthier and more delicious
