Layla Balabakki Add a review

Layla Balabakki (Arabic: ليلى بعلبكي; 1936 – 21 October 2023) was a Lebanese novelist, journalist, activist and feminist. Among her most notable works is Ana Ahya (I Live) (1958) which tells the story of a woman's protest against parental authority and community leaders. Balabakki's literary work also inspired political uproar because of her public criticisms of Islam and sexually explicit stories. Balabakki was brought to trial, while her work was censored. Her desire to push back against societal values and explore alternative female identities made Balabakki a large influence on contemporary Arab feminism.