In honour of International Women’s Day, we celebrate Plestia Alaqad, a 22-year-old Palestinian poet and journalist whose courageous use of social media has brought the world closer to the realities of life in Gaza. Through her daily video diaries shared on Instagram, she has become a prominent voice, exposing the raw and unfiltered truth of living under siege.
Alaqad’s journey is one of bravery and resilience. Her videos, filled with the sounds of explosions and the sight of rubble and destruction near her home, offer a deeply human perspective on the conflict and displacement experienced by those in Gaza. By putting a face and a story to the news, she challenges the desensitisation often felt towards headlines and statistics.
With over 5 million followers, the brave journalist has significantly impacted the way people around the world understand the complexities and hardships of genocide. Her ability to communicate the personal and important aspects of her experiences has not only raised awareness but has also fostered a greater sense of empathy and solidarity among her audience.
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate Plestia Alaqad for her extraordinary contribution to journalism and her commitment to shedding light on the struggles of her community. Her work underscores the importance of women’s voices in the media and the transformative power of sharing one’s truth with the world.
