Zainab Salbi
Zainab Salbi
Zainab Salbiis an author, women's rights activist, humanitarian, social entrepreneur, and media commentator who is the founder and former CEOof Washington-based Women for Women International...
NationalityIraqi
ProfessionActivist
CountryIraq
anybody dedicated good nice projection sacrifice serving women
There's a lot of projection that if you're in service then you shouldn't look good. I'm no different from anybody else. I like clothes, I like shoes, I like to go have nice dinners, I like to dance. Just because I've dedicated myself to serving women, why do you think I need to sacrifice myself?
life serving since women
Since I was 15 years old I have dedicated my life to serving women.
believed cultural defied norms phenomenon related single successful women
In every single culture I encountered, there were always women who defied cultural norms to do what they believed was right for them. This phenomenon has never been related to how rich, poor, successful or not successful the woman may be.
argue came gone realise taught women
In my 20s I was such a serious, boring-looking person. I would never do my nails. I never even danced. But I was taught by the women. They had gone through hell, but they would dance and sing. I came to realise I can't argue for a happy world if I am not happy myself.
accepting external given ourselves power realities start structures time women
By accepting what the external structures have told us we need to do, we have given the power of our realities and ourselves to others. It is time to tell a new story for women, and that can only start with women.
astounding decided injustices people ridiculed women
I couldn't find anyone doing something about the astounding injustices women were experiencing, so I decided to do something myself. I cannot tell you how many people ridiculed my efforts.
created holding
I don't want to be someone in my sixties holding on to a group that I created when I was in my twenties.
order issues decision
Women still need higher political representation and to be included at decision making tables in all issues in order for solutions that relates from peace to food, to health, to basic stability in the world. We cannot continue to marginalize half of the population in the world in finding sustainable solutions that are good for all.
country troops
Women are part of peace keeping troops in countries like Liberia.
decision levels planning
It appears easier to talk about protecting women than it is to fully include women at all decision-making levels in peace talks and post-conflict planning.
levels peace-talks percent
Only 8 percent of peace talks have included women at any level.
chiefs
Women have never been a chief negotiator in any UN-sponsored talks.
negotiation has-beens participants
Only 1 in 13 participants in peace negotiations since 1992 has been a woman.
husband believe progress
I believe that a lot of progress has been achieved to address gender inequality: We have moved from a time where women in the US could not apply for credit card without their husband's signature to a time where women are the owners of their businesses.