9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So on my way here, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the passenger next to me and I[br]had a very interesting conversation 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 during my flight. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He told me, "It seems like[br]the United States has run out of jobs, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because they're just making some up: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 cat psychologist, dog whisperer, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 tornado chaser." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 A couple of seconds later, he asked me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "So what do you do?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I was like, "Peacebuilder?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Laughter) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Every day, I work to amplify[br]the voices of women 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and to highlight their experiences 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and their participation in peace[br]processes and conflict resolution, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and because of my work, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I recognize that the only way to ensure[br]the full participation of women globally 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is by reclaiming religion. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now, this matter is vitally[br]important to me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As a young Muslim woman,[br]I am very proud of my faith. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It gives me the strength and conviction[br]to do my work every day. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's the reason I can be here[br]in front of you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But I can't overlook the damage that has[br]been done in the name of religion, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 not just my own, but all[br]of the world's major faiths. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The misrepresentation and misuse[br]and manipulation of religious Scripture 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 has influenced our social[br]and cultural norms, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 our laws, our daily lives, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to a point where we sometimes[br]don't recognize it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My parents moved from Libya,[br]North Africa, to Canada 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the early 1980s, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I am the middle child of 11 children. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, 11. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But growing up, I saw my parents, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 both religiously devout[br]and spiritual people, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 pray and praise God for their blessings, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 namely me of course, but among others. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They were kind and funny and patient, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 limitlessly patient, the kind of patience[br]that having 11 kids forces you to have. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And they were fair. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was never subjected to religion[br]through a cultural lens. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was treated the same, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the same was expected of me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I was never taught that God[br]judged differently based on gender. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And my parents' understanding of God[br]as a merciful and beneficial friend 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and provider shaped the way[br]I looked at the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now, of course, my upbringing[br]had additional benefits. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Being one of 11 children is Diplomacy 101. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 To this day, I am asked[br]where I went to school, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 like, "Did you go to[br]Kennedy School of Government?" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I look at them and I'm like, "No, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I went to the Murabit School[br]of International Affairs." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's extremely exclusive. You would have[br]to talk to my mum to get in. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Lucky for you, she's here. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But being one of 11 children[br]and having 10 siblings 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 teaches you a lot about[br]power structures and alliances. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It teaches you focus: you have[br]to talk fast or say less, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because you will always get cut off. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It teaches you the importance[br]of messaging. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You have to ask questions in the right way[br]to get the answers you know you want, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and you have to say no[br]in the right way to keep the peace. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But the most important lesson[br]I learned growing up 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 was the importance of being at the table. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When my mum's favorite lamp broke,[br]I had to be there when she was trying 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to find out how and by who, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because I had to defend myself, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because if you're not,[br]then the finger is pointed at you, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and before you know it,[br]you will be grounded. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I am not speaking[br]from experience, of course. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When I was 15 in 2005,[br]I completed high school and I moved 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from Canada -- Saskatoon -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to Zawiya, my parents' hometown in Libya, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a very traditional city. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Mind you, I had only ever been[br]to Libya before on vacation, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and as a seven-year old girl,[br]it was magic. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was ice cream and trips to the beach[br]and really excited relatives. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Turns out it's not the same[br]as a 15-year old young lady. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I very quickly became introduced[br]to the cultural aspect of religion. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The words "Haram"[br]-- meaning religiously prohibited -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and "Aib" -- meaning[br]culturally inappropriate -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 were exchanged carelessly, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as if they meant the same thing[br]and had the same consequences. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I found myself in conversation[br]after conversation with classmates 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and colleagues, professors,[br]friends, even relatives, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 beginning to question my own rule[br]and my own aspirations. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And even with the foundation[br]my parents had provided for me, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I found myself questioning[br]the role of women in my faith. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So at the Murabit School[br]of International Affairs, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we go very heavy on the debate, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and rule number one is do your research, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so that's what I did, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it surprised me how easy it was 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to find women in my faith[br]who were leaders, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who were innovative, who were strong: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 politically, economically,[br]even militarily. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Khadija, [???][br]financed the Islamic movement 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in its infancy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We wouldn't be here if it weren't for her. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So why weren't we learning about her? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why weren't we learning about these women? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why were women being relegated[br]to positions which predated 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the teachings of our faith? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And why, if we are equal[br]in the eyes of God, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are we not equal in the eyes of men? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 To me, it all came back to the lessons[br]I had learned as a child. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The decision maker, the person[br]who gets to control the message, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is sitting at the table, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and unfortunately,[br]in every single world faith, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they are not women. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Religious institutions[br]are dominated by men 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and driven by male leadership, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and they create policies[br]in their likeness, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and until we can change[br]the system entirely, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 then we can't realistically[br]expect to have full economic 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and political participation of women. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Our foundation is broken. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 My mum actually says, you can't build[br]a straight house on a crooked foundation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In 2011, the Libyan revolution broke out, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and my family was on the front lines. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And there's this amazing thing[br]that happens in a war, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a cultural shift almost, very temporary. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And it was the first time that I felt[br]it was not only acceptable 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for me to be involved,[br]but it was encouraged. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was demanded. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Myself and other women[br]had a seat at the table. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We weren't holding hands or a medium. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We were part of decision making. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We were information. We were crucial. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I wanted and needed[br]for that change to be permanent. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Turns out, that's not that easy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It only took a few weeks before the women[br]that I had previously worked with 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 were returning back[br]to their previous roles, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and most of them were driven[br]by words of encouragement 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 from religious and political leaders, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 most of whom cited religious Scripture 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as their defense. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's how they gained popular support[br]for their opinions. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So initially, I focused on the economic[br]and political empowerment of women. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I thought that would lead[br]to cultural and social change. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It turns out, it does a little,[br]but not a lot. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I decided to use[br]their defense as my offense, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and I began to cite and highlight[br]Islamic Scripture as well. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In 2012 and 2013, my organization[br]led the single largest 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and most widespread[br]campaign in Libya. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We entered homes and schools[br]and universities, even mosques. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We spoke to 50,000 people directly, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and hundreds of thousands more through[br]billboards and television commercials, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 radio commercials and posters. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And you're probably wondering how[br]a woman's rights organizations 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 was able to do this in communities[br]which had previously opposed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 our sheer existence. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I used Scripture. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I used verses from the Quran[br]and sayings of the Prophet. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Haddis, his sayings which[br]are, for example, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "The best of you is the best[br]to their family." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Do not let your brother oppress another." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 For the first time, Friday sermons[br]led by local community imams 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 promoted the rights of women. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They discussed taboo issues,[br]like domestic violence. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Policies were changed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In certain communities,[br]we actually had to go as far 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as saying the International[br]Human Rights Declaration, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which you opposed because it wasn't[br]written by religious scholars, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 well, those same principles[br]are in our book. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So really, the United Nations[br]just copied us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 By changing the message,[br]we were able to provide 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 an alternative narrative which promoted[br]the rights of women in Libya. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's something that has now[br]been replicated internationally, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and while I am not saying it's easy[br]-- Believe me, it's not. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Liberals will say you're using religion[br]and call you a bad conservative. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Conservatives will call you[br]a lot of colorful things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've heard everything from, "Your parents[br]must be extremely ashamed of you" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 -- False. They're my biggest fans. -- 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to "You will not make it[br]to your next birthday" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 -- again wrong, because I did. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I remain 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a very strong believer that women's rights[br]and religion are not mutually exclusive. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But we have to be at the table. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We have to stop giving up our position,[br]because by remaining silent, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we allow for the continued persecution[br]and abuse of women worldwide. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 By saying that we're going[br]to fight for women's rights 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and fight extremism[br]with bombs and warfare, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we completely cripple local societies[br]which need to address these issues 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so that they're sustainable. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It is not easy, challenging[br]distorted religious messaging. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You will have your fair share[br]of insults and ridicule and threats. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But we have to do it.[br]We have no other option 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 than to reclaim the message[br]of human rights, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the principles of our faith, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 not for us, not for[br]the women in your families, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 not for the women in this room, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 not even for the women out there, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but for societies[br]that would be transformed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with the participation of women. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And the only way we can do that, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 our only option, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is to be, and remain, at the table. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Thank you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (Applause)