Haya Al-Wazzan

Jordanian feminist who fought for women's political rights in the Middle East

Haya Al-Wazzan (1925-1998) was a pioneering Jordanian feminist and political activist who broke gender barriers in Middle Eastern governance. Born in Salt, Jordan, she became the first woman to earn a law degree from the University of Damascus in 1948. Her landmark 1953 legal case challenging gender discrimination in property laws set precedents for women's rights across the Arab world.

In 1962 she founded the National Women's Legal Defense Fund, which secured voting rights for Jordanian women in 1974. As a member of parliament from 1977-1989, she authored legislation establishing the first women's shelters and mandatory gender education in schools. Her book Equality Without Compromise (1978) became a key text in Arab feminist theory.

Despite facing backlash from conservative factions, she continued her advocacy until her death. The Haya Al-Wazzan Leadership Institute, established in 2005, has trained over 10,000 women in political leadership. Her legacy is explored in the book Trailblazer of Equality (2015) and the documentary Breaking Barriers: Haya's Journey (2020).