Strong faith is a core part of Alaa Murabit's identity -- but when she moved from Canada to Libya as a young woman, she was surprised how the tenets of Islam were used to severely limit women's rights, independence and ability to lead. She wondered: Was this really religious doctrine? With humor, passion and a refreshingly rebellious spirt, she shares how she found examples of female leaders across the history of her faith — and how she speaks up for women using verses from the Koran.

What my religion really says about women

Religious teachings have often been distorted to justify limiting women’s roles, but foundational texts contain powerful messages of inclusion and equality. After moving from Canada to Libya at age 15, one woman saw firsthand how culture and faith became entwined to restrict women’s rights. Through research, she uncovered overlooked female leaders in her own religious tradition and used scripture to champion women’s participation. Changing the narrative from within religious communities sparked policy changes and began shifting deep-rooted norms.