Bisan Owda, a Palestinian journalist, influencer, and director, was born in 1997. Born in a village in the northern Gaza Strip, Owda's early life was marked by the destruction of her grandparents' orange plantation by Israeli forces at the tender age of fifteen.
As a prominent figure in her community, Owda has worked extensively with the United Nations on gender equality, serving as a member of the UN Women Agora Forum for Youth Gender Innovation. Additionally, she has collaborated with the European Union on climate change, holding the esteemed position of EU Goodwill Ambassador.
Owda's professional portfolio is diverse, as she produces a show, Hakawatia, which is broadcast by Roya TV, and works for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Her work extends beyond television production, as she also publishes videos, sharing the daily lives of Gazans and recounting her personal experiences living through the Palestinian genocide.
Owda's videos, documenting the lives of Palestinians during the war since October 7, 2023, have garnered widespread attention, being shared by reputable news outlets such as ABC News, Al Jazeera, BBC, and Le Monde. As of October 15, 2023, Owda has amassed an impressive following of over 180,000 on Instagram.
Owda's personal life has been marked by tragedy, as she and her parents were forced to flee their home in Beit Hanoun, seeking refuge in Al-Shifa hospital when the IDF ordered the evacuation of Gazans. Her family's home and office in Rimal were subsequently bombed, destroying all of Owda's film equipment. She witnessed the devastating Al-Shifa ambulance airstrike on November 3, 2023.
In recognition of his outstanding work, Owda received an Emmy Award in 2024 for his documentary 'It's Bisan from Gaza and I'm Still Alive'.
