Now You Know

Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Did you know that women’s clothing and personal care products are often priced higher than men's? It’s been that way for years and there’s even a name for it. Pink Tax. Now with Trump implementing widespread tariffs, how will this impact women’s goods and jobs?   This week on Now You Know, we talk to Prachi Agarwal, a research fellow at the International Economic Development Group at ODI Global. She focuses on trade policy and women in trade, explaining how tariffs work and why they disproportionately impact women. In this episode: Prachi Agarwal, (X), Research Fellow | ODI Global  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Women face big decisions and even bigger challenges when it comes to their health, so we’re sharing some stories that don’t get talked about enough. We begin with one woman’s decision to freeze her eggs holding space for the future she hopes to build on her own terms. Then, we hear from a woman living with endometriosis – an all-too-common condition that's often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. We speak to an expert to help you or someone you know navigate this disease. Finally, we speak to a thyroid cancer survivor who fought for years to have her symptoms be taken seriously – and a doctor who offers empowering, practical guidance for anyone having the same experience.  This week on Now You Know, we’re taking you on a journey through some of our most powerful health stories – stories that speak to the challenges and resilience of women today.  In this episode: Zayna Al Hamarneh, (X / IG), CEO & Co-Founder of Mode Markering & PR Anita Nneka Jones, (X / IG), TV Presenter  Jandra Mueller, (X / IG), Pelvic floor physical therapist  Ayah Jaghoub, (IG), Makeup artist, thyroid cancer patient Dr. Tania Jaber, Endocrinology Consultant | Hamad Medical Corporation  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Divorce remains illegal for most people in the Philippines – making it the only country besides Vatican City where it’s banned. With no legal pathway out, activists say women are often forced to stay in abusive or unwanted marriages.  In this episode of Now You Know we speak with Cindy Diaz. The mother of three has been separated from her abusive husband for over a decade and is fighting to make divorce legal. We also hear from legal expert Clara Padilla, who weighs in on whether that’s possible.  In this episode: Cindy Diaz, Philippine Divorce Activist Clara Padilla, Lawyer  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Across the US, migrant communities are living in fear as ICE raids surge with immigration policies tightening under the Trump administration. In response, migrant-led groups are mobilising to provide support to empower the most vulnerable to know their rights.  In this episode of Now You Know, we chat with Nelcy Garcia De Leon from Proyecto Faro, a migrant-led support group. She shares what it takes to show up for people in crisis. In this episode: Nelcy Garcia De Leon, Board Chair | Proyecto Faro Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Did you know that women already control a third of the world’s private wealth — and that number is expected to soar past 50 percent in the next five years? But how can you be part of that growth? Now You Know speaks with Cristina Jaeger, the founder of HerFinancialFreedom. Cristina’s mission is to close the gender gap in wealth and investing and help women gain financial independence. She shares tips on how women can meet their financial goals.    In this episode: Cristina Jaeger, (IG), Founder | HerFinancialFreedom Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Is laughter truly the best medicine? Pakistani cartoonist Nigar Nazar believes it might be. She's famously known as the first professional female cartoonist in Pakistan and the Muslim world. Through her work she has sought to address social and cultural issues through her witty and thought-provoking cartoons transforming complex topics. This week on Now You Know, we talk to Nigar about her creative initiative that uses humour to raise awareness, advocate for change, and educate both children and adults. In this episode: Nigar Nazar, (IG), Founder | Gogi Studios  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube  

25,000 children have been injured in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023, according to the United Nations. And, according to The World Health Organization, about 2,500 children in Gaza require urgent medical attention outside the territory. What does it take to help children evacuated from Gaza start their journey to healing? This week on Now You Know we speak to Dr Lisa Thornton, a pediatric rehabilitation specialist in Qatar. She talks about the difficulties treating children who were able to evacuate from Gaza since December 2023 and the long road to recovery these children face.  In this episode: Dr Lisa Thornton, (X), Pediatric Rehabilitation Specialist | Sidra Medicine Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Can skateboarding change lives? One organisation believes it can. Bangladesh Street Kids Aid supports children living on the streets by providing essentials, education, and skateboarding lessons. With over 3 million street children in Bangladesh – many facing poverty, addiction, or exploitation – this initiative offers a lifeline, especially for young girls.  Now You Know speaks with founder Susie Halsell to learn what inspired her to start this initiative and how it’s making a difference, especially in the lives of vulnerable young girls. In this episode: Susie Halsell, (IG), Founder | Bangladesh Skreet Kids Aid Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Iraq’s amendments to its personal status law have been controversial. Critics say the changes could roll back women’s rights, with serious implications for marriage, divorce, and child custody. So why has this shift happened and what does it really mean for girls and women across the country? This week on Now You Know, we speak to Sherri Kraham Talabany, about her firsthand experience with how the country’s laws and culture have shaped the lives of women and girls, and what she thinks the latest legal changes could mean for their future. In this episode: Sherri Kraham Talabany, (X / IG), President & Executive Director | SEED Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Sean Combs, iconic rapper and music mogul, is behind bars awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has denied all the charges, but this story has people talking about hip-hop's #metoo moment. This week on Now You Know, we talk to an industry writer, producer, editor about the hip-hop scene and question whether it has a history of silence around abuse. Will Combs' case mark a turning point for accountability in the industry? In this episode: Hillary Crosley Coker, (X), Writer, Producer, Editor Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

At 31, Jill Damatac made the decision to self-deport from the United States, ending 22 years of life as an undocumented migrant. Her journey began at age nine, when her family left the Philippines for the US in search of a better life. But instead of opportunity, they encountered instability, xenophobia, and an immigration system Jill describes as broken. In this episode of Now You Know, we speak to Jill Damatac about what it means to grow up as an undocumented migrant in the US, and how that reshaped her sense of identity, belonging, and home. In this episode: Jill Damatac, (IG), Writer & Filmmaker Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Every ten minutes, a woman or girl is killed by someone she knows, according to the UN. Femicide is a global issue that we can’t afford to ignore. So what’s really behind it? And more importantly, how can it be stopped? Now You Know talks to María de la Luz Estrada Mendoza, the director of a citizen watch group in Mexico. She shares powerful stories of femicide in her country. We also hear from Mariam Khan, a UNFPA representative in Türkiye, who helps us understand how deep this problem runs in all societies. In this episode: Mariam Khan, UNFPA Representative in Türkiye  María de la Luz Estrada Mendoza, Director | National Citizen Observatory of Femicide  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. While factors like the economy, government policies, and culture play a role, these challenges exist globally. So what makes South Korea so unique? Now You Know talks to Anna Kook, an AJ+ reporter who covers South Korean society and news. She explains why people in South Korea are not having enough babies. In this episode: Anna Kook, (X / IG), AJ+ Reporter  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

When the Assad regime fell in December 2024, opposition forces opened prison doors across Syria. For many, Assad’s demise was both a shock and a moment of long-awaited freedom. Yet for those who had endured years of torture, the scars – both physical and emotional – remain. How did they survive the unimaginable? On this week’s episode of Now You Know, we talk to Maysaa Al Hassan. She was freed after 11 years in prison. She shares her experience of survival, and why she’s speaking out now: to seek justice for herself and for the countless women who endured Syria’s brutal prison system. In this episode: Maysaa Al Hassan, Former Syrian Prisoner  Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Israel has resumed its assault on Gaza, shattering the ceasefire with Hamas. Hundreds of people were killed in the first week of renewed attacks and Palestinians have once again been given evacuation orders. As destruction mounts the hope of rebuilding Gaza is fading fast.  This week on Now You Know, we talk to Ms. Paula Gaviria, UN Special Rapporteur for the human rights of internally displaced people. We talk about the challenges involved in planning for the rebuilding of Gaza and ask, Will it ever become a reality? In this episode: Ms. Paula Gaviria, (X), UN Special Rapporteur for IDPs Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

In India, a woman or girl is raped every 16 minutes, according to India's National Crime Records Bureau. “To Kill a Tiger”  tells the powerful story of a 13-year-old survivor and her father’s fight to get justice for his daughter – a fight that ultimately led to the three accused being sentenced to 25 years in prison each.  On this week’s episode of Now You Know, we speak to director Nisha Pahuja who captures this battle in her Oscar-nominated documentary. We also speak to a sexual violence expert about the justice system in India, and how the lack of implementation of the law coupled with systemic barriers makes justice hard to attain. In this episode: Nisha Pahuja, (X / IG), Director | To Kill a Tiger Sharmila (Mona) Sinha, (X / IG), CEO | EqualityNow Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Ibtihaj Muhammad made history as the first American-Muslim woman to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab. This achievement holds immense significance, especially given the ongoing controversy surrounding the hijab in sports.  This week on Now You Know, we chat with Ibtihaj about staying true to her identity, pushing back against discrimination, and competing at the highest level.  In this episode: Ibtihaj Muhammad, (X | IG), Fencing Champion   Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Palestinians who emerge from Israeli prisons often speak of the physical abuse, solitary confinement and terrible living conditions that they’ve endured. But is it even tougher for women? Now You Know talks to Hadeel Shatara, a former Palestinian prisoner. She was released during the first wave of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. Hadeel shares her story and what female prisoners endure behind bars. In this episode: Hadeel Shatara, (X | IG), Head of Alumni Programme | Birzeit University Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

An unlikely group of fighters is on the frontline of Ukraine’s war effort against Russia. They’re called the Witches of Bucha – a group of volunteers, many of them suburban mothers, defending Ukrainian skies from drones. Their training is tough, and the stakes are high. For some, it’s a way to channel their rage. For others, it’s nerve-wracking but necessary work. This week on Now You Know, we speak with a member of the unit about the risks these women face, why she chose this path, and what it means to her to be able to serve her country in this way. In this episode: Liudmyla Lysenko | Witches of Bucha Combat Unit Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson.  Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.  Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. ​​Kateryna Malofieieva was our Ukraine producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube