Author: Marwa Fattouh

Over the past decade, a lot of attention has been directed towards Syria, the beating heart of the Middle East, which embodies a complex human story as it fights to maintain its identity in the face of conflict and political and social transformations. In this part of the world, life used to overflow with colors and holidays were filled with joy and brotherhood. However, things are different today, where holidays are looked upon with nostalgia and patience.

Perhaps the deeper meaning of holidays in Syria is the hope for reunion, unity and peace, with every passing holiday serving as a reminder that light is still shining through the darkness, and that life still goes on in the face of adversity.

Muhammad Faris, an exceptional and prominent figure in the history of space, is considered the second Arab person to set foot in space. He was born in the city of Aleppo, Syria, in 1951, and grew up in an environment filled with dreams of aviation and space. He received his basic education in his hometown before pursuing his military education, which later opened the doors for him to become an astronaut.

Elon Musk who? Meet the Syrian dentist and genius of an entrepreneur Lojain Jibawi, who has impacted and inspired many.

Let’s debunk myths and end the fear once and for all, a woman’s dignity is her honesty, and there’s no evidence to prove virginity, just like there isn’t for the other gender (men). Here are four shocking things I heard and experienced as a Syrian woman:

The 1st shock:
Once, an anxious girl asked me how she could make sure she’s still a “virgin”. She was studying in another city and sharing a dorm room with other girls. She’d never had any sexual experiences, but she would have strange thoughts that her roommates sedated her and tore her hymen.
The 2nd shock:
I met a guy about a year ago, who claims that he’s very open-minded and has attended several sexual education courses, so according to him, he’s very aware of sexual health. Turns out he believes premarital screenings can determine a woman’s virginity (a total myth).
The 3rd shock:
I came across a girl’s post in a private- only women- Facebook group. She was freaking out because while walking on a street she had to jump over a hole in the ground. When she got home, she saw a couple drops of blood and wondered: “Am I bleeding because my hymen tore? Does that mean l am not a virgin anymore? Please, reassure me!”
The 4th shock:
In one of the gender-based violence workshops I used to run, I was shocked when a young man simply intervened with: “A woman who was raped is no longer suitable for marriage. She’s not a virgin anymore.” To my surprise, the majority of the group agreed with him.

Syrian Kickboxing & Muay Thai champion Azza Attoura is a figure who is not too well known despite her incredible achievements and honorable influence, especially on our women throughout the years of war.