Alhurra Brings Equality to the Middle East
Alhurra re-launches Equality, the first Arabic-language program on rights of women in the Middle East, with Saudi journalist Maisaa Al Amoody. The new season of the program, which offers ground-breaking discussions and an in-depth look at the rights of women in the Middle East, will begin on June 17th.
Based in Dubai, Equality starts its new season with a new look and host, but continues to tackle critical topics and taboos such as the empowerment of women, girls’ mutilation and the forced marriage of minors. The first episode of the new season will address the rights of women to drive in Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the planned Right-to-Drive campaign scheduled this Friday.
“Arab women’s rights and issues have always been important to me. It is crucial to give a voice to the voiceless women who are deprived of their rights,” said Maisaa Al Amoody, host of Equality. She added that through the program, “I will also be able to introduce great Middle Eastern women who can tell stories of their success and encourage other women, especially those who did not get a chance to prove themselves and show their abilities yet.”
Equality airs Friday evenings at 17:00 GMT.
Recent surveys by international research companies such as ACNielsen show that Alhurra has consistently averaged approximately 26 million weekly viewers for the last three years. Alhurra is broadcast on the Nilesat and Arabsat satellites in the Middle East. It is operated by the non-profit corporation “The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc.” (MBN). MBN is financed by the U.S. Government through a grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an independent federal agency. The BBG serves as oversight and as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of the broadcasters.