Two years on the ongoing genocide in Palestine, and as the world approaches the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), in partnership with the Al-Nahda Women Network, held a seminar titled “Redefining Peace and Liberation: Palestinian Women and Global Feminism.” The event marked the launch of ARDD’s regional campaign, “Reclaiming the Future: Women, Peace, and Justice in the Arab World,” in line with the 16 days of activism and reaffirming women’s leadership in peace, justice, and dialogue.
Dr. Mariam Abu Samra, Senior Researcher and Coordinator at the Renaissance Strategic Center, led the seminar, examining the historic and ongoing role of Palestinian women in shaping global feminist thought and their contributions to liberation movements. She highlighted how Palestinian women have long linked national liberation with women’s liberation, viewing patriarchy as inseparable from colonial systems of oppression.
Drawing on more than a century of women’s mobilization—from early organizing in the late 1800s to leadership in social and political resistance—Dr. Abu Samra showcased how Palestinian women have played a dual role: strengthening social resilience and actively participating in national liberation.
The seminar also critically addressed how neoliberal and Western feminist frameworks have often misrepresented or marginalized Arab women’s agency, calling instead for a decolonial feminist approach rooted in justice, dignity, and collective emancipation.
Dr. Abu Samra underscored that peace for Palestinian women means justice and liberation, not the mere absence of violence or the illusion of stability imposed by international actors. Through moving examples—such as women asserting reproductive rights and resilience under occupation—she illustrated the enduring strength of Palestinian women as symbols of hope and defiance.
