Samar El Hussaini, Palestinian Journalist
Tahera Muradi, Afghan Journalist
Solafa Magdy, Egyptian Journalist
Hija Kamran, Digital Rights Activist, Pakistan

This session will discuss how authoritarian regimes in Iran, Afghanistan, and Palestine are limiting women’s rights by restricting their access to the internet. Women in Afghanistan live in constant fear due to Taliban rule, which has closed off opportunities for education and work, and even social media use. Iranian authorities have also used internet shutdowns and other tactics to suppress protests against the government. Women in Palestine face intense digital surveillance, which limits their ability to share experiences online. The session will feature guest speakers from these countries sharing their stories and highlighting the challenges women face in navigating these restrictions. The session aims to raise awareness and promote policy changes that include women’s perspectives.