Episode 14 - Oleksandra El Zahran (Polleksandra)

Oleksandra El Zahran (Polleksandra) is an activist who uses her online platform to campaign for social and political change in Lebanon.

Oleksandra tells us how people respond to her name growing up (0:46) and reacts to the revolutions in Lebanon and Ukraine (both her nationalities) over the past six years (3:06).

We then talk about the stigma behind sexual harassment in Lebanon (6:19), the origin of her page (10:47), her platform replacing mainstream media for the younger Lebanese generation (14:45), certain individuals surprising reactions after the Beirut Blast (16:53), women’s roles throughout the Lebanese Revolution (24:24), and debate the topic of women marrying at an early age (29:23). We also discuss the steps Lebanese society needs to create a better support system for women who wish to be career oriented (35:15), Polleksandra’s views on feminism (38:10), her experiences being cyber-bullied (44:39), and her advice for people starting an online platform (54:44).