The Courage to Talk, Not Kill: Peace, Security, and Syria’s Women

The fall of the Assad regime came swiftly in the end, with far less violence than anyone imagined. How did this happen? Can Syria emerge from its decades of brutality and bloodshed to become a bastion of hope in the Middle East? Sanam talks to Abir Hajibrahim, co-founder of Mobaderoon and one of Syria’s leading peacebuilders, who has built a network of dedicated peacebuilders and volunteers—preventing violence, reconciling communities, and mobilizing people to be active, engaged citizens determining their own futures. This conversation explores the untold stories of Syria’s peacebuilders—individuals from all walks of life who stepped into the chaos of conflict to rebuild trust, heal communities, and drive reconciliation from the ground up. This episode dives into the human cost of violence, the power of grassroots engagement, the unique role of women in peace efforts, and what sets peacebuilding apart from humanitarian work—all against the backdrop of a shifting political landscape. It’s a candid, hopeful look at the future of Syria, shaped by the courage and determination of its people. Mobaderoon https://mobaderoon.org If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network You can find out more information or how to get in touch following the link to our homepage -  https://shows.acast.com/if-you-were-in-charge Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices