

When Saying No Is Power: Negotiation for Arab Women
Growing up in Syria, I was taught to be kind, polite, and agreeable.To lower my voice.To say yes — even when I wanted to scream
Lubna Albadawi is a Syrian-American journalist, filmmaker, and youth empowerment trainer based in the United States. With over a decade of experience in media and communication, she specializes in storytelling that amplifies underrepresented voices, especially those of women, refugees, and youth from conflict-affected regions. She holds a master’s degree in Communication from the University of Nebraska Omaha and is a fellow of several international programs, including Common Ground Journalism and the Institute for Economics and Peace. As a social media strategist, podcast producer, and women’s rights advocate, Lubna blends creative expression with educational impact, working at the intersection of media, peacebuilding, and community development.
Growing up in Syria, I was taught to be kind, polite, and agreeable.To lower my voice.To say yes — even when I wanted to scream
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