Meet the activists

  • Muzna Duried

    Muzna Duried

    Muzna Duried, a former Syrian refugee and current Advocacy and Partnership Manager at Noble Women’s Initiative, shares her extraordinary journey from war-torn Syria to a safe haven in Canada. Muzna provides an in-depth analysis of the ongoing conflict in Syria, emphasizing that despite the lack of media coverage, the situation remains dire with ongoing bombings by Russia and the Syrian regime, and the presence of various militias.

  • Marsha Hinds Myrie

    Marsha Hinds Myrie

    Dr. Marsha Hinds Myrie is a prominent advocate against gender-based violence, with a focus that spans from Barbados to the global Caribbean community, including those who have resettled in countries like Canada. Her activism is deeply personal, rooted in her own experiences of childhood sexual abuse, and academically reinforced through her position as an Activist in Residence at the University of Guelph.

  • Eucharia Uranta-Okonkwo

    Eucharia Uranta-Okonkwo

    Eucharia Uranta-Okonkwo is a dedicated advocate for women's and children's rights with over 12 years of experience, including leadership roles with international organizations and working at the United Nations. As a gender specialist, she has worked tirelessly to protect the rights of women and children in Nigeria, a country facing numerous socio-economic and political challenges that disproportionately affect these vulnerable groups.

  • Maria Kartasheva

    Maria Kartasheva

    Maria Kartasheva is a Russian anti-war activist who relocated to Canada in 2019 with her husband, driven by the increasing totalitarianism in Russia. A key moment in her decision to leave was Russia's decriminalization of first-time domestic abuse, which personally resonated with her due to her history with abusive family members.

  • Chloe Seongeun Kim

    Chloe Seongeun Kim

    Chloe Seongeun Kim is a South Korean trans rights activist and student specializing in Feminist and Gender Studies. Facing challenges in her home country, she found inspiration and support abroad, and now resides in Ottawa, Canada, where she continues to work for LGBTQ rights and inclusivity.

  • Fahima Hashim

    Fahima Hashim

    Fahima Hashim is a prominent Sudanese feminist activist who co-founded the Salmmah Women’s Resource Centre, championed women’s rights, and faced governmental suppression. Now living in Canada, she continues her advocacy, research, and mentorship, significantly impacting feminist causes and women's rights in the MENA region and beyond.

  • Yasmin Ullah

    Yasmin Ullah

    Yasmin, born in Myanmar and later resettled in Canada, has become a prominent activist for the Rohingya, organizing protests and engaging in projects that raise awareness. Her work has been instrumental in the Canadian government's recognition of Myanmar's military crackdown as a genocide.

Commentary & Resources

IN THE NEWS

The Guardian: Canadian police charge three over killing of Sikh activist

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The Hill Times: Redefining the frontlines: the battle for democracy in an era of tran…

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The Guardian: Canadian police charge three over killing of Sikh activist 〰️ The Hill Times: Redefining the frontlines: the battle for democracy in an era of tran… 〰️

Meet the team

Professor Nadia Abu-Zahra
Co-Director

Professor John Packer
Co-Director

Professor John Packer is an Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) at the University of Ottawa. He was appointed the Inaugural Neuberger-Jesin Professor of International Conflict Resolution in April 2018.

See Prof Packer’s full profile page here.

Professor Abu-Zahra is an Associate Professor in the School of International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa, and a member of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre. Prof Abu-Zahra is the Joint Chair in Women's Studies at Carlton University and University of Ottawa.

See Prof Abu-Zahra’s full profile page here.

Dr. Philip Leech-Ngo
Coordinator

Philip Leech-Ngo is a skilled researcher, analyst and communicator with more than ten years of experience as a consultant and academic with a focus on international affairs.

See Dr. Philip Leech-Ngo’s full profile page here.

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