Know Your GAD Committee, Spring 2017

January 2017 Committee Meeting in Rabat

Know Your GAD Committee, Spring 2017

Some of us are still 3 months fresh as GAD committee members, and others of us are tipping our hats and closing service very soon. But all of us have been constantly at work with our mission in mind: to support, empower, and connect Peace Corps Volunteers and Moroccans as we work to make young men and women equal and active participants in the development of personal skills and of the whole community. 

Learn more about us as individuals (listed in alphabetical order by last name) below.

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Sarah Amer, Vice Chairperson 2017

Salam! My name is Sarah and I am the Peace Corps volunteer located in Moulay Idriss Zarhoune in the Meknes-Fez region. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, I am a first generation Palestinian American. In the past, I have served as an Air Traffic Controller for the United States Air Force. More recently, I completed my Master’s degree in Applied Communication Theories and Methodologies with an emphasis on Women’s Studies.  The obstacles I have encountered throughout my life due to being a female have pushed me to base my research on women’s empowerment as well as play an active role in promoting global gender equality. I love GAD because it gives me the opportunity to work with a diverse group of intelligent and motivated individuals that come from all walks of life with the same hope of spreading gender equality throughout the world.

Katie M. Bercegeay, Coordinating Officer 2017

Greetings! I'm Katie Bercegeay, originally from the Cajun heartland in south Louisiana by way of central Virginia. I'm now serving in a small, charming mountain town an hour from Fes.

I have a Bachelor's degree in English as well as a Master's in International Studies with a concentration on humanitarianism. Prior to Peace Corps, I worked in stateside refugee resettlement coordinating volunteers, donations, and external relations. I also have experience teaching English to international students at the pre-university level.

For much of my life, I have been inspired by women and men alike who have done incredible GAD work in both large-scale and everyday capacities. Now as a member of the Peace Corps Morocco GAD committee, I look forward to being inspired by the GAD work being done by my fellow PCVs and Moroccan counterparts, friends, and students.

Shawn Dubberly, Representative + Blog Master, Former Training Liaison 2016-2017

Hello, I’m Shawn but I often go with the Moroccan name given to me--Shayma! I live with my husband near Essaouira. I call Ohio my home because my parents live there, but I have lived in The Netherlands, China, Thailand and all over the Navy ports in the USA. I love GAD because gender work can be seamlessly incorporated into any type of Peace Corps program or sector: environment, small business, youth development--gender inequality can and should be addressed. I came into GAD in October of 2016 and focused my time on the blog. My goals included making the blog active with consistent posts and approachable to incoming volunteers by featuring success stories about everyday gender work took challenges and struggles into account. Peace Corps has a unique devotion to a grassroots approach. I can't wait to return to Morocco in the future and see what has flourished.

Julie Feng, Representative, Former Vice Chair 2016-2017

Hi, I’m Julie! I’m from Taipei, Taiwan and Seattle, Washington—and I’ve added another heart home to the list—Settat, Morocco, where I currently live with my husband and cat. I have a background in English education, creative writing, and social justice. GAD has always been at the center of my youth development work because it centers equality and empowerment. I strongly believe in gender work from a global and intersectional lens, and I will always be an unwavering advocate for marginalized voices.

Elizabeth Jay, Representative, Former Secretary 2016-2017

Hi my name is Elizabeth. I’m known around Peace Corps as Lou. I have a B.A. from DePauw University in Sociology and Anthropology with a minor in French and an M.A. from the University of Indianapolis in Sociology with a concentration in cross-cultural comparison. Before I came to Morocco I was a professor at the University of Indianapolis; I taught Intro to Sociology and Social Problems. Much of my academic background focused on women and society cross-culturally. This greatly influenced my decision to join Peace Corps and work with disadvantaged populations within the community, namely women. 

Much of my work in my three years here in Morocco has been focused on the empowerment of girls and women. After completing a Fitness Trainer TOT with my counterpart, Fatima, we started a women’s health and aerobics class in our dar chabab, or youth center.  We empower the women to focus on their overall health instead of body image through yoga, aerobics, kickboxing, and dance as well as discussions about health and diet. I’m also working with a women’s association in my community to hand-sew reusable feminine hygiene products that can be sold throughout our region to promote a more economic, hygienic, and environmentally-friendly alternative to disposable products, while also promoting the growth of our association and its impact within our community. I’m excited to be a part of the GAD committee to help other PCVs see how they can do GAD work within their communities on a daily basis through conversations and toolkits. I truly believe it’s the small things we do day in and day out that make the biggest impact.

Kika Kaui, Representative, Former Chairperson 2015-2017

Hi all! My name is Kika (which means cake in Darija) and I am volunteer in Tiflet, a large site near Rabat.  I have roots in Hawaii and Washington State, and a background in both Human Rights and Physiology. As a GAD committee member and Chair, I have been inspired and motivated by the incredible work done by both Peace Corps staff and volunteers as well as external Moroccan organizations, associations, and individuals. 

I have been most proud of being a facilitator of the Gender Advocacy Training in Fez and working to develop, update, and disperse GAD’s abundant resources. In site, my primary projects are teaching English and women’s health and fitness classes. In my free time, I love distance running, drinking coffee, reading, and cooking with my husband.

Heyab-Mariam Ogbasion, Training & Reporting Officer 2017

Hello! My name is Heyab-Mariam Ogbasion, and I’m currently serving in a large community on the outskirts of Errachidia. Although originally from Memphis, Tennessee, I also call Washington, DC home <3. I’m a first generation Eritrean-American, and growing up in the US with this identity has motivated me to be active in my community, specifically on issues of gender empowerment and equality.

I hold a Bachelor’s in Finance & International Business and more recently a Master’s in Organizational Development, so it is safe to call me a data and analytics geek! With that being said, I am super excited to collaborate with PCVs, Moroccan counterparts, and PC staff as I fill the new role of Training and Reporting Officer for the upcoming year. I’m confident of our Staj 98 and the passion and expertise each of you bring towards GAD related work.

Jessica Wamala, Chairperson 2017

Hey, Jess “Malak” Wamala here! I live in a city one hour from Fes. I arrived in Morocco on the heels of finishing my research masters (Mphil) in Modern Middle Eastern Studies as a Rhodes Scholar from the University of Oxford and hold a second masters (M.A.) in Political Science from my undergraduate alma mater Villanova University. As a global citizen, I have lived in or travelled to 33 other countries for educational opportunities, business, academic conferences, research, immersive learning and cultural exchange. Passionate about gender empowerment, systems change, and diversity and inclusion, I have advanced these issues for the U.S. State Department in various capacities and published work on diversity in international affairs.

I bring a very energetic attitude and goal-oriented vision to my new position as Chairperson of GAD, and I am excited to make GAD resources more accessible and inclusive for both PCVs and Moroccans alike. I suspect this group of hardworking women will surpass any expectations of professionalism, approachability, and friendliness and I want everyone to know we are open to feedback, collaboration, and innovation.

Feel free to contact the Gender and Development committee at any time via: gadmaroc@gmail.com.

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Posted by Katie Bercegeay

What Peace Corps Morocco Is Reading. Spring 2017

Since In-Service Training (IST) is coming up, the Gender and Development Committee (GAD) wanted to recommend a few books that are available on request from the Peace Corps Librarian. The following are books selected by each GAD committee member. 

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Beyond the Veil by Fatima Mernissi

Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

Hope & Other Dangerous Pursuits by Laila Lalami

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Last Chapter by Leila Abouzeid

Women's Rebellion and Islamic Memory by Fatima Mernissi

Scheherazade Goes West: Different Cultures, Different Harems by Fatima Mernissi

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini

Although set in a different Muslim country, this riveting dark novel captured my attention, imagination, and empathy. It follows the story of two women, across two generations, over a 30-year period in Afghani history. Themes of the novel include friendship and family life, the fragility of love, the devastations of war, the power of fate, and honest exploration of gender roles in an Islamic country. One review summarizes this book as, “Like diamonds and roses hidden under bomb rubble, this is a story of intense beauty and strength buried under the surface of the cruel and capricious life imposed upon two Afghani women.”

Recommended by Jessica Wamala

Beyond the Veil: Male-Female Dynamics in Modern Muslim Society by Fatima Mernissi

I highly recommend the author Fatima Merinissi. She is a former professor of sociology at Muhammed V University in Rabat. I studied her in both my BA and MA of sociology programs, and I reconnected with her her in Morocco.  I am particularly a fan of her book entitled "Beyond the Veil: Male-Female Dynamics in Modern Muslim Society " which dives into the discussion of the effects of modernization on male-female relations while exploring the sexual dynamics of the Muslim world. I also enjoy her book "Dreams of Trespass " which tells the story of a young girl raised in a harem. What I enjoy about her writing is how accessible it is. This book is written like non-fiction, allowing the reader to get caught up in the story emotionally, especially PCVs who are developing a personal relationship with this country and get to see it through her eyes. At the same time it gives a solid sociological look into the gender structures of the Muslim world. She has written many other pieces, but these two books really stand out among her repertoire.

Recommended by Elizabeth Jay

Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

Half the Sky is a powerful collection of both stories and essays, which work together to describe the climate of women’s rights around the world. It focuses on developing countries and is unforgivingly blunt about the inequalities and human rights violations that exist. However, every disparaging encounter or anecdote is balanced with an uplifting and inspirational story of women and men who are doing incredible work championing women and their rights. The book also discusses ways in which the world - from individuals to associations to governments - can alter their practices to improve the lives of women around the world. Half the Sky is an emotional commitment that is well worth your time and thoughts. Furthermore, authors Kristof and WuDunn have expanded their impact - the book is complemented by powerful short films and an active and engaged online presence. For more information, visit their website, at www.halftheskyymovement.org

Recommended by Kika Kaui

Hope & Other Dangerous Pursuits by Laila Lalami

Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits is the debut story collection of Laila Lalami, a Moroccan American author and scholar best known for her Pulitzer finalist novel, The Moor’s Account. HAODP chronicles the life of four very different, yet interconnected Moroccans—Murad, Halima, Aziz, and Faten. They are all harragas (a Darija term meaning “those who burn,” referring to North African migrants who attempt to cross the Strait of Gibraltar). Each story is a moving insight into Moroccan culture, immigration, religious identity, poverty, gender politics, and the development of a nation. The multiplicity of narratives lends to the multiplicity of thematic content. In particular, Lalami’s handling of social marginalization is quite haunting. Each character sketch is rich and full of life.

CN: domestic violence, sex work

Recommended by Julie Feng

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is the ironic account and biography of the heroine, Lacks, and her world-changing cells, widely known in science as the HeLa cells. In my opinion, the interplay between inequities amongst race, gender and socioeconomic class with research ethics is exactly what makes this book a must-read. Skloot illustrates and traces the life of Henrietta Lacks through a decade of investigative research and interviews with her children, who were reared in poverty and often without affordable health insurance for themselves. The account, which reads like a novel, makes you question bioethics and who really benefits from scientific research.

Recommended by Heyab-Mariam Ogbasion

Women's Rebellion and Islamic Memory by Fatima Mernissi

I recommended Fatima Mernissi's Women's Rebellion and Islamic Memory because it offers a modern day look at Muslim women throughout the world.  I find it to be an important read especially serving in a Muslim country because often this glimpse of women and Islam is construed as an overall picture and this is just not the case.  

Recommended by Sarah Amer

The Last Chapter by Leila Abouzeid

One day when I was working with a baccalaureate class I came across a segment in their English textbook. It was an excerpt from Leila Abouzeid. The chapter was celebrating strong female Moroccans. So I requested the book from the Peace Corps library and I was surprised that it was less than 100 pages. Leila Abouzeid is known for being the first Moroccan woman writer to be published in English-language translation.

When I was learning to speak Darija I was struggling with the concept of calling everything zwina or myzan and then suddenly I found those crutch words so liberating and I was able to sympathize with this quote,“The words came out easily in the foreign language.’ It had not occurred to me before that foreign language could be liberating.” Pg 49. Abouzeid does a lovely job at intertwining the Moroccan feelings and emotions towards language in a way we are all beginning to understand.

Recommended by Shawn Dubberly

Scheherazade Goes West: Different Cultures, Different Harems by Fatima Mernissi

Scheherazade Goes West is one of Fatima Mernissi's later works. It is not entirely academic or biographical--but perhaps a "panaché" of various genres. In it, she tells the story of her own casual observations about Western perception of the harem as depicted in European literature and art as well as through conversations with Western colleagues and friends. Exploring the stark difference between this perception and that of Islamic societies, she grows and maintains a stance that Western society places more value on women's physical assets than intellect, the famed Scheherazade's greatest strength. This, argues Mernissi, subjects Western women to another kind of harem, or perceived oppression that has yet to be discussed. While Mernissi may overgeneralize in her conclusion, painting somewhat of a black-and-white picture, her insights and observations in this easy-to-read book can serve as a great catalyst for conversation.

Recommended by Katie Bercegeay 

Clockwise: Rebecca Skloot, Fatima Mernissi, Leila Abouzeid,

Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn, Khalid Hosseini, & Laila Lalami.

If you don't see something you like but still want to explore gender-related books,

Check out the GAD Library List here.

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Post by Shawn Dubberly