Lecture in Glasgow: The Changing Role of Women 5 Years After the Arab Spring

The Changing Role of Women 5 Years After the Arab Spring by Haifa Zangana, Iraqi author and activist.

Women’s rights have historically been a global concern, particularly in Arab countries, where many are living either in a conflict zone or under occupation.

In war torn countries such as Syria, Iraq and Yemen, women have never been more vulnerable. House demolitions, the apartheid wall and domestic displacement under Israeli occupation have a negative gender differentiated impact on the lives of Palestinian women and their families. The causes and solutions to this issue are multi-faceted. Haifa Zangana will provide an insight into the uprising and social movements in the Middle East and North Africa, and a gendered analysis of the 5 year post Arab Spring.

Haifa Zangana is an Iraqi author and activist. Among her books; “Dreaming of Baghdad”, “Women on a Journey”, “City of Widows” and a co – author of “ The Torturer in the Mirror” with Ramsey Clark. She contributes to European and Arabic publications such as The Guardian, Counterpunch, and Al Quds Al Arabi (weekly comment). Haifa is co-founder of “ Tadhamun”- Iraqi Women Solidarity, founding member of the International Association of Contemporary Iraqi Studies (IACIS), an member of the executive committee of Brussell’s tribunal on Iraq, an advisor for UNDP on “Towards the Rise of women in the Arab world” and a consultant For UN – ESCWA on Gender and social issues.