Urgent Support for Randa: Documenting Gazan Women's Lives

Please note, only people in Finland can donate to this campaign. If you are based outside Finland, please contact us directly.

We are Elina Siira, Sanna Saastamoinen-Barrois, and Elina Hirvonen—writers, activists, and human rights advocates based in Helsinki, Finland.

We are organizing this fundraiser to support our dear friend, Randa Aldawoudi, a 25-year-old journalist, feminist, and human rights activist from Gaza, who now lives in Helsinki. We first came to know Randa through her powerful reporting in Helsingin Sanomat, and later had the privilege of getting to know her personally when she relocated to Finland in the summer of 2024.

Randa has experienced immense loss. At the beginning of the war, her colleagues, who co-ran a small media initiative with her in Gaza, were killed, and her professional base in Palestine was destroyed. Her family and loved ones remain trapped in Gaza. Despite this, Randa has remained dedicated to her mission: telling the untold stories of Gazan women and children.

She is now working on a debut book that documents these stories capturing the political, social, cultural, and emotional realities of women living under occupation. This is a unique and urgently needed perspective that only someone like Randa, with deep personal connection and journalistic experience, can provide.

To complete this important project, Randa needs financial support. The donation will cover practical expenses during her 4 months intensive writing, including accommodation, living costs, and necessary tools for research. The goal is to support a free, independent voice in a situation where Palestinian writers' working conditions are particularly vulnerable and the voice of women is crucial to understanding the situation in the region. By contributing, you're not just helping Randa; you're amplifying the voice of countless Gazan women and children whose stories must be heard to build peace and a sustainable future.

Randa established the first reading club in the Gaza Strip, an initiative she personally launched through her Instagram account. The club quickly gained immense popularity, receiving over 1,000 membership requests. Randa successfully gathered 300 young men and women for weekly book discussions. Even after relocating from the Gaza Strip, Randa continued to lead and facilitate the reading club digitally.

Please consider donating to support Randa's mission. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to sharing these vital stories with the world. Together, we can help shine a light on the lives of Gazan women and children and foster greater understanding and empathy.​

This project is unique as it pioneers the direct storytelling of Gazan women's experiences. It offers an unprecedented platform for the diverse voices of these women, delving into their political, social, and economic roles, as well as their everyday lives in Gaza. The book highlights the distinct customs and traditions that shape each woman's reality.

By contributing to this campaign, you will enable Randa to secure a suitable publishing house for her book, making these previously unheard stories accessible to a wider audience. This will be a groundbreaking opportunity to listen to the diverse voices of Gazan women and children.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

With gratitude,

Elina, Sanna and Elina

Fundraising permit

Pienkeräysnumero RA/2025/430