UNFPA partners with Rebel Girls to launch the first Arabic edition of “I Am A Rebel Girl” journal. 

The journal aims to empower girls in the Arab world to challenge harmful social norms, celebrate creative expression, and envision a future that incorporates their realities. 

(Cairo, 14 December 2022) — The United Nations Population Fund Arab states regional office has partnered with Rebel Girls, a leading global girl empowerment brand, to launch the Arabic edition of I Am A Rebel Girl journal — the first adaptation of the journal in the Arab region.  

Developed after extensive consultations with adolescent girls in humanitarian settings throughout the region, I Am A Rebel Girl builds on the established and highly successful approach taken by Rebel Girls while also incorporating the aspirations, struggles, and insights of adolescent girls throughout the Arab Region, particularly those impacted by humanitarian crises. A key component of the journal is its design and messaging, which not only communicates empowering concepts, but also brings new art that is inspired by and created exclusively for girls in the region. 

“For UNFPA, fostering confidence and encouraging creative self-expression among girls is a key priority and a critical stepping stone to realising gender equality and social progress, ” explains Ms. Laila Baker, UNFPA Regional Director in the Arab States. “UNFPA and Rebel Girls have a shared vision of empowering girls worldwide to stand up for their rights, express their thoughts freely, and find the support and inspiration they need to reach their full potential.” 

Baker noted that, through its various programmes, UNFPA endeavours to provide girls with opportunities to lead on the initiatives that target them, often by leveraging the transformative power of creativity as a medium. This, she added, has been a core component of the strategy implemented by UNFPA in the Arab region and beyond. 

“With a shared vision of building a more equal world, we have been delighted to work with UNFPA on this edition of I Am A Rebel Girl,” said Michon Vanderpoel, Rebel Girls Head of Sales and Licensing]. “As a brand dedicated to empowering girls around the world through stories of real-life extraordinary women, it was inspiring and rewarding to be guided by the ideas and feedback of girls throughout the Arab region to bring this project to life. With I Am A Rebel Girl, we are proud to offer girls a personal platform to express their thoughts freely, dream big and envision a brighter future.”

Over the coming years, I Am A Rebel Girl  in Arabic will continue to play a central role in UNFPA’s adolescent girl programming in the Arab region, particularly its humanitarian programming. The journal also joins a growing line-up of products geared toward encouraging girls and young women to be the change they wish to see in the world, particularly when it comes to challenging gender inequality and harmful norms. 

END

About UNFPA

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, quality maternal health care, and comprehensive sexuality education.

About Rebel Girls

Rebel Girls, a certified B Corporation,  is a global, multi-platform empowerment brand dedicated to helping raise the most inspired and confident generation of girls through content, experiences, products, and community. Originating from an international best-selling children’s book, Rebel Girls amplifies stories of real-life, extraordinary women throughout history, geography, and field of excellence. With a growing community of 23 million self-identified Rebel Girls spanning more than 100 countries, the brand engages with Generation Alpha through its book series, premier app, events, and merchandise. To date, we have sold more than 8 million books in 49 languages and reached 20 million digital audio listens. Rebel Girls award recognition includes New York Times bestseller list, 2022 Apple Design Award for Social Impact, multiple Webby Awards for family & kids and education, Common Sense Media Selection and iHeart Media Podcast nomination among many others. 

For more information, please contact:

In Cairo: Samir Aldarabi, Regional Media Adviser for the United Nations Population Fund for the Arab States Region, +201068484879, aldarabi@unfpa.org

In Amman: Jafar Irshaidat, Communications Specialist, United Nations Population Fund / Regional Humanitarian Hub for Syria and the Arab States, +962797300157, irshaidat@unfpa.org