It’s appropriate that we’re releasing the first episode of this season this week, during the fifth annual International Religious Freedom Summit. It’s an incredible gathering of civil society advocates, activists, experts, academics, government leaders, parliamentarians, and more from across the globe – all focused on advancing the fundamental right to freedom of religion, conscience, or belief. 

Research shows that when countries protect and advance religious freedom, they tend to be more peaceful, stable, and prosperous. On the flip side, when governments trample on religious freedom, they are almost certain to violate other human rights, as well. With authoritarianism rising around the world, religious freedom is at ever greater risk.

But…there is always hope for a better future. For me, much of that hope is inspired by the amazing women who are leading the movement for greater freedom of religion or belief – or FoRB, as it’s sometimes called in shorthand. These women hail from different backgrounds, different cultures, different faiths, and different perspectives. Yet, they all share an uncommon drive for justice and an unwavering dedication to the conscience rights of all. 

We’re kicking off our series of conversations with the women leading the way on FoRB with one of the most brilliant and respected minds in the world of international religious freedom: Dr. Ewelina Ochab. A human rights lawyer, a researcher, an author, an advocate – Ewelina truly does it all. Based in London, but usually traveling to far flung corners of the globe, Ewelina is a programme lawyer with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, as well as co-founder of the Coalition for Genocide Response. She has studied and written about some of the most egregious cases of religious persecution in the past decades, as well as about genocide prevention and response. It was an honor to speak with her about what inspired her to focus on human rights and persecuted religious minorities, the places in the world that worry her most, and what keeps her motivated to do this work. 

International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit

Dr. Ewelina Ochab

International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute

Dr. Ewelina Ochab on Forbes

Follow Dr. Ewelina Ochab on X

Producers: Brittany Smith, Chelsea Hedquist & Celie Hudson

Audio editors: Brittany Smith & Celie Hudon

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