In a powerful gathering that resonated with urgency and hope, prominent female voices came together at Kings Place Hall to address the systematic silencing of women across the globe. The Guardian Live event, titled 'The Silencing of Women', featured an exceptional panel including Sandi Toksvig, Elif Shafak, and Zahra Joya, chaired by The Guardian's own Emma Graham-Harrison.
Challenging Historical Erasure
The discussion delved into how women worldwide are mounting resistance against oppression while simultaneously working to document achievements that male historians and gatekeepers have consistently sidelined or ignored. Monday, 24th November 2025 marked the date of this significant conversation, which served to highlight International Women's Day through substantive dialogue rather than mere symbolism.
Danish-British comedian, author, and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig brought attention to her groundbreaking Mappa Mundi Cambridge University project, an ambitious initiative mapping the world from a female perspective. This interactive platform aims to share crucial data on both the challenges women face and their remarkable successes throughout history.
Voices from the Frontlines
Zahra Joya, the exiled editor-in-chief of Rukhshana Media, provided sobering insights from Afghanistan, where her women's media organisation continues reporting on and for Afghan women despite immense challenges. Joya is campaigning for gender apartheid to be officially recognised as a crime under international law, bringing legal weight to the systematic oppression faced by women in certain regimes.
Award-winning Turkish-British novelist and political scientist Elif Shafak shared her personal experience with censorship and persecution. In 2019, her novels became targets for 'crimes of obscenity' by Turkish prosecutors, leading to her current self-imposed exile in London. Her testimony highlighted how creative expression remains under threat for women writers in many parts of the world.
Solidarity in Action
The event demonstrated practical solidarity with its commitment to donate 50% of event profits to Rukhshana Media, ensuring direct support for Afghan women's journalism. Emotional moments included Sandi Toksvig and Zahra Joya embracing on stage, symbolising the cross-border solidarity that defines the modern women's movement.
Emma Graham-Harrison, The Guardian's senior international affairs correspondent, skillfully guided the conversation through complex terrain, from personal narratives of exile to systemic analysis of patriarchal structures. The panel collectively emphasised that documenting women's achievements is not merely about correcting the historical record but about building foundations for future generations.
Produced by Bridgette Mohammed and Maddie Earle, this Guardian Live event underscored that while the silencing of women remains a global reality, the determination to speak truth to power grows stronger each day. The discussion served as both testimony to current struggles and a blueprint for continued resistance.
