Rania Kurdi (رانيا الكردي) is an actress and transformational life coach. Her career spans multiple sectors, with vast successes as a television/film actress, TV presenter for the Arab world idol talent contest, a chart-topping singer, and as the executive producer, writer, and actress of her own comedy sketch show. Rania uses her platform to shed light on social justice topics to help inspire others to create positive change and is an ambassador with The Children of War Foundation (COWF). Rania grew up in Amman, Jordan and now lives with her family in London, UK.
As many ways as possible! I use comedy as a way to convey messages through characters since certain topics are not easily accepted and can receive a huge amount of backlash. Through comedy, you can affect people slowly, but surely. I recently did a sketch as Madam Ghalia, one of my characters, who is unaware of how racist she is when she uses the word slave in Arabic! She continues to tell her friend how kind she is to the Sri Lankan girl and the Egyptian working for her by giving them a day off. Her friend corrects her that they’re not slaves, they are employees with a right to have a day off in the week and by calling them a Sri Lankan and an Egyptian, she is stripping them of an identity; demonstrating how unaware we can be of racist behavior within Arab society.
Another way I address social issues is through live chats on social media platforms where I began discussing discrimination, disability, intolerance of race, and gender after the murder of George Floyd and the tragic suicide of activist Sarah Hegazi.
Yes, I have experienced and witnessed all three. I am sad to say that having a career as an entertainer seems to give many people the idea that they have a right to overstep personal boundaries which they wouldn’t necessarily do to a complete stranger. There is a general belief that if you have chosen to be a public figure, you must put up with harassment. Artists need to be able to create and express themselves, but it should not have to be at a cost.
In Jordan, I found it frustrating as a woman to not be taken seriously professionally, but in Lebanon and Egypt, I was part of larger productions and faced harassment in subtle ways from decision-makers that made it difficult for me to continue when I didn’t comply. I was continually asked by the press why I didn’t continue on certain shows, but I couldn’t reveal what the actual pressures were.
I think many people feel they cannot speak up in the industry, unfortunately, and that there is a price that has to come with success. I was in a place of privilege because I was not reliant on the paycheck or desperate for fame. I had options. If I was pressured while presenting, I would act and if there was a problem there, I could sing. I eventually started to write, create, and produce my own material with The Rania Show. If I had been in a different economic situation then it might have been a completely different story. Economic instability can play a major factor in how much women are willing to put up with, especially if they have families.
The fear is that everyone knows everyone in the media world and you will not be employed elsewhere because you are seen as a threat in exposing someone. However, that is exactly what gives directors, producers, actors, etc. power over women in the industry.
During my time in entertainment, I do not actually know of anyone making an official complaint or speaking up in the industry. I was told to keep quiet when I complained and reminded that the signed contract protects the privacy and reputation of the production company.
I think that if sexual assault and harassment were reported, it would be taken very seriously since Jordan is a country with a culture that regards female honor as something important to protect. However, I believe status and power again can play a big role in pressuring women to stay quiet.
I have never been made aware of any policies against harassment in the workplace myself and rarely worked as an employee. However, some sectors are planning on educating employees about sexual harassment in Jordan and will be enforcing new policies, which I hope will have a ripple effect in other sectors too.
Families are less willing to accept their daughters entering the industry because of the reputation that it has, even though similar situations can happen in any industry. However, it is easier to take advantage of women and groom them under the guise of acting and rehearsing in close proximity. Female singers have been known to be pressured and blackmailed by their managers to perform other services to further their career which is not a worry faced by males as much.
I think that we need more women in positions of authority, such as judges in courtrooms and safe houses. Laws should be put in place making it mandatory for there to be an equal number of women and men in high positions within the government and companies. So that we have an even balance of women and men in charge where women speaking up about harassment can feel safe. It is also necessary for diverse perspectives to be present in decision-making.
I believe we need to normalize women speaking out more and create safe spaces for them to do so. The more this happens, the more awareness others will have to recognize if they are being harassed or assaulted. Oftentimes women wrongly assume that rape is the only act categorized as sexual harassment when uncomfortable flirtations, physical closeness, dirty jokes, and many other behaviors fall under it too.
I myself didn’t realize I was being harassed by my obstetrician during my first pregnancy when I felt uncomfortable by his actions and behavior, but was nervous to say anything about his unprofessional behavior at first until other women shared they had similar experiences.
As a life coach and as a woman, I have witnessed the scars left behind from sexual assaults and harassment on both women & men and plan on creating more awareness about it in the Arab world. It is difficult for victims of assault to speak up because there is so much shame connected to it in our culture, but it’s important for them to realize that it is only the perpetrator’s shame not theirs. Many keep it a secret from their family and friends so that it does not become a part of their story. By being more open and honest about sexual abuse and harassment, I can be a voice for those who do not have the privilege to speak freely, in the hope that the future will give that freedom to everyone.
