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Born in Homs in 1979, Lina Barakat grew up in an open-minded family. She studied French literature at Al-Baath University in Homs, later obtaining a master’s degree and working as a teaching assistant. She has long had an interest in women’s issues.
Her interest emanated not only from her own experiences, but also from the experiences of other women around her.
“Our society has a condescending perception of women.even if women grow up within an understanding and liberal family,” Barakat tells SyriaUntold.
“At the family and personal levels, my parents were very understanding, and they never discriminated between us based on gender. The space was always open for us as girls in the family. But my interest in women’s issues stemmed from the incidents around me that happened to a neighbor, relative, friend or peer. I would see the extent of injustice against women and would always wonder why,” she says.