About Zalla
Zalla is an independent media and intelligence platform for women across the SWANA region (Southwest Asia & North Africa) — the Arab world, Iran, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, and the global diaspora. We publish in English, Arabic, and Persian/Dari.
What We Publish
- Articles — Long-form reporting and essays on culture, identity, power, and the women shaping the region.
- Podcasts — Conversations with leaders, founders, and changemakers from Cairo to Tehran to Kabul to the diaspora.
- Films — Documentary and visual storytelling that centers women as authors of the region's future.
- Voices of Resilience — Profiles of remarkable women under 25 building what comes next.
- Opportunities — A curated board of grants, fellowships, residencies, and jobs for women across SWANA.
Zalla Products
- Zalla Pulse — A live signal feed of what's happening to and being built by women across SWANA: news, launches, milestones, and movements, updated continuously.
- Zalla Atlas — A cinematic, interactive map of women shaping SWANA and the diaspora, organized as constellations: She Builds, She Creates, She Leads, and She Rises — explorable by country and city.
- Zalla Mobility — A practical intelligence layer on travel, visas, and cross-border movement for women holding SWANA passports.
- Zalla Culture — Cultural stories, art, literature, faith, and identity from across the region and diaspora.
- Zalla Intelligence — Data, dossiers, and research on cities, safety, rights, and the lived conditions of women across SWANA.
- Zalla Opportunities — A live, curated board of scholarships, fellowships, grants, residencies, and remote jobs for women across the region.
Our Mission
We believe every woman's story matters. Zalla exists to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build bridges across SWANA through rigorous, independent storytelling. Whether you're in Casablanca, Cairo, Riyadh, Tehran, Kabul, or the diaspora — this is your platform.
For Creators
Writers, photographers, podcasters, and filmmakers across the region can pitch work, contribute to Zalla, and build an audience. Learn more →
Available in Multiple Languages
Zalla publishes in English, Arabic (العربية), and Persian/Dari (فارسی / دری). We're committed to making our journalism accessible to women across the region in their own languages.