Nibal Thawabteh facts for kids

Nibal Thawabteh (Arabic: نبال ثوابتة) is a Palestinian activist who works to support women's rights. She is known for her work at Birzeit University and for helping women get involved in their local communities.

Making a Difference

Nibal Thawabteh has dedicated her career to helping others and bringing important topics to light. She has worked in local government, started a newspaper, and created TV shows and documentaries.

Helping Women in Local Government

Nibal Thawabteh made history in her hometown of Beit Fajjar. She was the very first woman to be chosen for the Beit Fajjar Village Council. This council helps make decisions for the community. Nibal served on the council for seven years. She also created a special guide and volunteered her time to help other women learn how to run for positions and get elected to the council. Her efforts helped more women have a voice in their local government.

Starting a Newspaper for Important Issues

In 2005, Nibal Thawabteh started a monthly newspaper called Al Hal, which means "The Situation." This newspaper focused on important community issues and challenges that people faced. By 2008, she was the main editor of the newspaper and also wrote articles for it. The newspaper aimed to discuss topics that were not often talked about openly, encouraging people to think about and solve problems in their society.

Using Media to Share Stories

Nibal Thawabteh also used television and film to highlight social issues. She wrote TV shows that explored the difficulties faced by women who couldn't read or write. She also wrote and produced documentaries about important topics affecting Palestinian women. Additionally, she taught classes on how to do investigative reporting, which is like being a detective for news stories, and how to write creatively.

An Award for Courage

In 2008, Nibal Thawabteh received a special honor called the International Women of Courage Award. This award is given to women around the world who show great bravery and leadership in working for social justice and human rights.

Leading at Birzeit University

By 2015, Nibal Thawabteh was the Director of the Media Development Center at Birzeit University. In this role, she focused on how media works in Palestine and how it can best serve the public. She helped shape the way news and information are shared across the country.