Shaden Fakih - Lebanese stand-up comedian for social justice

Yes, there's a background story...

In June 2021 Shaden Fakih – a Lebanese outspoken stand-up comedian – was summoned to the ISF Cybercrime Bureau for questioning. She was accused of making fun of the ISF – she had called them during lockdown to inquire about how to obtain sanitary pads. A typical move from a regime that fears stand-up comedy or any form of free expression that transcends sects and politics.

Though holding up a sanitary pad is not just about this incident, it’s about lifting the taboos, being proud of our womanhood, overcoming the shame culture, period poverty; it’s about standing against a patriarchal and dated regime that is intimidated by outspoken people like Shaden.

Animation by Ashley Choukeir