The Palestinian Nakba… The Battle of Resilience and Survival

Fadwa Al-Barghouthi

Fadwa Al-Barghouthi is a distinguished lawyer, human rights activist, and prominent figure in Palestinian politics. Born on May 15, 1963, in Ramallah, Palestine, Fadwa has dedicated her life to fighting for justice, equality, and the rights of the oppressed. Fadwa's journey in law began with her academic pursuits. She earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Beirut Arab University in 1997, followed by a Master of Laws from Al-Quds University in 2003. Her master's thesis, titled "Medical Civil Liability in Birth Cases," demonstrated her commitment to advocating for the rights of women and children. In 1999, Fadwa established her own law firm in Ramallah, where she has since served as a leading advocate for human rights and civil liberties. Her firm specializes in defending the rights of the marginalized and oppressed, with a particular focus on women's rights cases. Beyond her legal practice, Fadwa is deeply involved in social and political activism. She is the head of the international campaign for the release of her husband, Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political leader, and all Palestinian prisoners. Fadwa is also the President of the Union of Women’s Committees for Social Work in Palestine, where she works tirelessly to empower women and promote social justice. Fadwa's commitment to human rights has earned her recognition both locally and internationally. She is a member of the Palestinian National Council and the Constitution Drafting Committee of Fatah party, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping Palestinian governance and policy. In addition to her political and legal work, Fadwa is actively engaged in international advocacy efforts. She is a member of various international organizations, including the International Arab Forum for Women and the International Socialist Committee, where she represents women's interests within the Fatah movement. Fadwa's dedication to defending human rights and promoting social justice has made her a respected leader and role model in Palestine and beyond. She continues to fight tirelessly for the rights of all Palestinians and for a more just and equitable world.

Rabab El Mahdi ’96, ’98

Associate Professor, Political Science Department

The American University in Cairo

Rabab El Mahdi is an associate professor of political science at The American University in Cairo (AUC). She earned her PhD from McGill University in Montreal, where she wrote her dissertation on the impact of neo-liberal economic reconstruction on changing patterns of state-civil society relations in Egypt and Bolivia. Her field of specialization is comparative political economy and development, with a focus on Latin America and the Middle East. El Mahdi’s research interests cover the areas of state-civil society relations, social movements and resistance, as well as the political economy of social policy. Before joining AUC, she worked for several developmental organizations, including Non-governmental organizations and United Nation agencies. Previously she taught at Yale University and was a recipient of a number of fellowships at Columbia University, the University of Chicago, and the Rockefeller Bellagio Center Residency. She is also the recipient of a number of research grants from Carnegie Corporation of New York and The Rockefeller Brothers Foundation. Currently, she leads AUC's research project, Alternative Policy Solutions (APS). She serves on the boards of a number of civil society and professional organizations, including the Arab Political Science Network (APSN).