Hind al-Eryani

Hind Al-Eryani is a Yemeni activist and journalist. She advocates for women's rights, LGBTQ+ including gender minorities, and peace in Yemen, and has written many articles in support of the topics. She has also fought against khat, a drug-like substance. She also confronted an eight-year-old child's rapist in Turkey. Moreover, she also opposed a Reuter's reporter urging for his removal.

In 2017, she won the Arab Woman of the Year Award for Achievement in Public Awareness.

Her journalism caused her to have to seek asylum from Turkey to Sweden. She also encountered multiple challenges with her refugee status in Sweden after she was obliged to move from Turkey due to death threats. Her advocacy ensued controversies and oppositions which endangered hers and her daughter's well-being. She also received criticism in defending the LGBTQ community in the Arab world.

Early life and education Jibla was a town in Yemen that had a Muslim queen ruler and it is where Hind Al-Eryani was born. The fact that it was the only town that had a woman as ruler inspired Hind's mindset on feminism and women empowerment.

Shame on Reuters Hind led a campaign called "Shame on Reuters" in aim of a more objective news coverage. She called for the removal of the Reuter's reporter named "Mohammed Saddam" after discovering his association with the government. Therefore, she initiated the campaign after discovering that the journalist was the personal reporter and translator of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Moreover, the activist tried to ensure not to reveal her identity in interviews and kept a low profile while participating in the campaign due to her contribution with the UN and her obligation to keep a neutral political attitude. She confronted the Yemeni parliament in taking necessary actions and pushed them to adopt a strategy that she proposed. Despite the strategy being rejected by the parliament, since some politicians were involved in investing in lands that grew Khat, with the help of the national dialogue it was approved and included it in the draft of the new constitution 2015. The activist responds to the accusations on her sexuality and emphasizes on the fact that it is not a negative accusation, yet a regular claim. She questions the intentions of Arab societies in not treating the community like others and highlights the normality of being homosexual.

Achievements "Why don't men cover their faces?" is the most successful article she wrote as it was reached by a broad audience. Not only it has been redrafted in five different languages, but it was published in multiple online platforms.

In 2017, she won the Arab Woman of the Year Award for Achievement in Public Awareness. On Thursday, November 30 the activist was awarded by the Regent’s University London on behalf of the London Arabia Organization, with the collaboration of the Mayor of London during a grand ceremony.

Challenges and criticism Hind Al-Eryani's advocacy resulted into menaces from opposers in Turkey which obliged her to travel elsewhere due to the lack of safety for her. She travelled to Sweden with her daughter where they both received a residency there.

Hind faced cyber critiques for defending the LGBTQ community and advocating for their rights in Arab countries, especially after the release of her article on homosexuality. She received criticism after publishing her article "Why fear Homosexuals". However, she stays persistent and continues to use her voice to raise awareness on the injustices that the community faces.