Country of Origin: Syria

Main Focus: Feminism, Peace, Refugee Rights

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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.

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.

Muguleta Tedla is a Tigrayan-Canadian activist and academic, chairing the Association of Tigrean Communities in Canada (ATCC). His activism is deeply personal, having been a political prisoner in Ethiopia during the Derg regime, which led to his refugee status and eventual resettlement in Canada through the World University Service of Canada. At the University of Windsor, he pursued a master's degree in mathematics.

Dr. Kawkab Alwadeai is a prominent Yemeni mental health expert and human rights advocate specializing in gender justice and peacebuilding. Through her organization, Bridges to Peace and Solidarity, and various collaborations, she addresses the critical need for psychoeducational training and support for war-related trauma survivors, contributing significantly to mental health and human rights initiatives in Yemen and other communities in crisis.