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‘We are not just imagining power; we are claiming it’: Women at the forefront of change in the Horn of Africa

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‘We are not just imagining power; we are claiming it’: Women at the forefront of change in the Horn of Africa

Source: Global Voices

By Clarisse Sih and Bibbi Abruzzini 

For over 30 years, women in the Horn of Africa have fought tirelessly against violence, discrimination, and systemic oppression. One of the leading voices in this struggle is Hala Al-Karib, a Sudanese activist and the regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA).

At the heart of her work is a profound belief: “We are not just imagining power. We are claiming it.”

As part of the Forus March With Us campaign, Al-Karib shares her insights on the state of women’s rights, the barriers they face, and the unstoppable force of grassroots feminist movements shaping the future.

A life shaped by struggle and resistance

Growing up in Sudan, Al-Karib witnessed firsthand the deep inequalities and ethnic divisions that fueled systemic oppression. Her activism began early, inspired by the resilience of the women around her:

I learned early on that oppression exists in many forms — against women, against marginalized communities, against those who challenge power. And I also learned that to survive, we must resist.

Full article available here.

 

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https://globalvoices.org/2025/04/26/we-are-not-just-imagining-power-we-are-claiming-it-women-at-the-forefront-of-change-in-the-horn-of-africa/

By Clarisse Sih and Bibbi Abruzzini 

For over 30 years, women in the Horn of Africa have fought tirelessly against violence, discrimination, and systemic oppression. One of the leading voices in this struggle is Hala Al-Karib, a Sudanese activist and the regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA).

At the heart of her work is a profound belief: “We are not just imagining power. We are claiming it.”

As part of the Forus March With Us campaign, Al-Karib shares her insights on the state of women’s rights, the barriers they face, and the unstoppable force of grassroots feminist movements shaping the future.

A life shaped by struggle and resistance

Growing up in Sudan, Al-Karib witnessed firsthand the deep inequalities and ethnic divisions that fueled systemic oppression. Her activism began early, inspired by the resilience of the women around her:

I learned early on that oppression exists in many forms — against women, against marginalized communities, against those who challenge power. And I also learned that to survive, we must resist.

Full article available here.

 

News
Focus areas