When I first heard about Sarah Zouak's Women SenseTour project, I knew I had to share her story with you. As someone living in Morocco and witnessing firsthand the incredible strength and diversity of Moroccan women, Sarah's mission to challenge stereotypes about Muslim women resonated deeply with me.
The Woman Behind the Mission
Sarah Zouak isn't your typical recent graduate. Fresh out of her masters in Business School and International Relations in Paris, she could have easily settled into a comfortable desk job. Instead, she chose to embark on an ambitious 5-month journey across five Muslim countries – Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Iran, and Indonesia – with a camera, a mission, and an unshakeable belief in the power of storytelling.
Why Women SenseTour Matters
Bewildered in Morocco: Sarah, tell us – why "Women SenseTour"?
Sarah: Today, Muslim women in Western countries face stigma because of stereotypes surrounding Islam, particularly the misconception that we're oppressed and submissive. People need more role models of incredible Muslim women, and they need to understand that discrimination faced by some Muslim women stems from patriarchal systems, from men, from misinterpretations of religion – but never from the religion itself!
I decided to seek out Muslim women changemakers and spotlight how they're driving girls' and women's empowerment. I wasn't interested in profiling just any successful Muslim women or entrepreneurs. I wanted to meet the ones fighting for women's rights in their countries. What better way to break stereotypes about Muslim women than by meeting activists and founders of women's empowerment projects?
Her passion is infectious as she continues...
Over five months, I traveled to meet 25 Muslim women changemakers. The goal? Raise awareness about Muslim women entrepreneurs, deconstruct harmful stereotypes, and amplify Muslim women's voices through a field-based documentary featuring these incredible women and their creative initiatives.
Beyond the documentary, I write portraits featured on my website and through media partners. But I didn't want this to be purely journalistic. I added another mission: supporting these inspiring women through creative brainstorming workshops using Makesense methodology, which promotes social entrepreneurship. This creates real impact for our WST superwomen!
The Perfect Storm of Passion and Purpose
Bewildered in Morocco: What pushed you to organize this ambitious project?
Sarah: It was perfect timing for several reasons. I'd just graduated and wasn't eager to jump into an 8-hour desk job. I've always worked with non-profits because I can't imagine professional life without meaningful missions that align with my values.
Women's empowerment is the cause that thrills me most, but I was always curious about religion's role in women's rights. The WST became a beautiful mix of all my passions: women's rights, travel, creating awareness about my religion to open minds, and working with amazing people I love.
I decided to take these months to meet inspiring women worldwide and share those lessons with people in France.
From Dream to Reality: The Journey
Bewildered in Morocco: Can you walk us through your project stages?
Sarah: This year has been incredibly intense! I conceived WST in January 2014 while still studying. I knew it was ambitious, but I was determined to make it as professional as possible.
The preparation took nine months. When your vision is clear, surrounding yourself with inspiring people who believe in your project becomes crucial. Without my family and friends' support, WST would never have happened. My closest friends became my team – each bringing specific skills I needed. Every month, one accompanies me to a new country. I'm incredibly fortunate to have them!
Funding was challenging but rewarding. I diversified sources: two crowdfunding campaigns, public subsidies from my city and department in France, Sorbonne University, a Parisian restaurant called "La Fabrick des Délices," and Women's Worldwide Web (W4), which supports women's rights projects.
Then came research – identifying inspiring changemakers in all five countries – and communication, the most crucial element in awareness work. We invested enormous effort in our tools: video, website, social media, and daily updates for our followers.
Currently, I've completed Morocco and Tunisia, meeting 11 wonderful women and facilitating 6 creativity workshops across cities and small villages. I sought the most diverse, representative women possible – young and older, highly educated and illiterate, wearing headscarves and not.
The Bigger Picture
Bewildered in Morocco: What do you hope to achieve?
Sarah: I'm tired of negative remarks about Islam and Muslim women. Living with cultural stereotypes prevents societal cohesion. I want to live where differences become sources of wealth, not obstacles.
I hope WST changes perceptions about Muslim women positively while inspiring people through these incredible projects. I want to prove that women's empowerment is one of the world's most important issues, and each of us can contribute.
After completing the documentary, I'll present the film and portraits in French schools and organizations to change minds about Muslim women and discuss social entrepreneurship from feminine and feminist perspectives.
Words to Live By
Bewildered in Morocco: Any inspiring message for our readers?
Sarah: [Laughing] If you want truly inspiring messages, you'll have to watch my documentary!
More seriously, I'll always remember what one Moroccan changemaker told me: "You have to work for a cause bigger than yourself."
Choose something that frustrates you about the world, your country, or your neighborhood, and transform it into a beautiful, positive project where you'll create impact and find happiness. It took me years to understand I didn't want to follow expected paths – I needed something more meaningful.
Having ideas isn't enough; you must act! Don't overthink – act daily to improve your project. Surround yourself with inspiring, believing people with skills you need. Even when you're tired, sick, or angry, their support will sustain you. Listen to criticism but look beyond it, especially when it's unconstructive.
As humans, we must improve our societies daily so we all learn to coexist despite different beliefs, origins, and ideas – free to pursue our goals without judgment. Some call me naive or overly optimistic. Maybe I am, but I maintain this positive energy because it's how I function, how I was raised. Negativity never achieved anything meaningful.
Sarah's story reminds me why I love sharing these conversations with you. Living in Morocco, I'm constantly amazed by the strength, creativity, and determination of the women I meet. Projects like Women SenseTour don't just challenge stereotypes – they celebrate the beautiful complexity of Muslim women's experiences.
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