From Journalism to Street Activism: Reem Abbas

Reem Abbas’s journey into activism and human rights advocacy is deeply rooted in her personal history.

Born in Sudan, her early life was shaped by exile after her father lost his job, was banned from working, and eventually prohibited from entering Sudan for a decade. Growing up in a household where love for Sudan was constant despite the hardship, Abbas was surrounded by activists, musicians, and intellectuals who instilled in her a sense of responsibility for the country.

“We never hated Sudan for the difficulties we went through instead, it gave us the drive to change the status quo”.

After completing her studies, Abbas returned to Sudan and began working as a journalist. Her work in the arts and culture quickly collided with the harsh realities of censorship and repression. She recounts attending a fashion show that ended with mass arrests, an experience that sharpened her awareness of how even culture was tightly policed. “I had to ask myself how my pen becomes a tool for the cause I believe in?”

Her activism deepened in 2011 when she joined a pro-democracy youth group. This experience grounded her in grassroots organizing working in markets, on the streets, and with ordinary people rather than behind closed doors. For Reem Abbas, democracy could not remain an abstract idea. It had to connect to everyday struggles and lived realities. “You cannot have a monologue in a closed room; you must engage communities directly if you claim to represent them”.

It was during this period that she also came to understand the barriers facing women in Sudanese activism. Many young women, she observed, were forced out of public life due to unsupportive families and a lack of protection. Although she came from a supportive household, Abbas witnessed the high turnover of women in activist spaces a reality that shaped her feminist consciousness and commitment to mentoring younger women.

Evolving Roles

Over the years, Reem Abbas’s roles have shifted. She began as a journalist, became a street activist, and now identifies primarily as a writer and researcher. This evolution, she explains, is both strategic and necessary. In repressive environments, repeating the same activism for decades can lead to burnout and frustration. “I didn’t want to stop but I had to find new ways of contributing”.

Today, Abbas’s focus is on writing, documentation, and mentoring young feminists. She sees these as forms of “institutional activism” creating records, generating knowledge, and ensuring Sudanese women’s voices and struggles are preserved. This shift reflects not a retreat but a reorientation. As she says, “We must evolve, because activism is a lifelong commitment. It is about finding your role and sustaining it without losing hope”.

Navigating Risk and Strategy

In authoritarian contexts, activism requires constant negotiation. Reem Abbas describes how activists must carefully choose language and framing to keep doors open without diluting their message. She recalls women who tried to register an association using the word “feminist” only to be denied by authorities. “We must grapple with the reality that some words are seen as threatening, we push back to normalize them, but sometimes we adapt, because survival of the organization is also important”.

This balancing act extends to visibility and safety. Abbas limits her presence on social media, sometimes deactivating accounts when scrutiny becomes intense. She avoids sharing personal details that could endanger herself or others. Importantly, she emphasizes that security is not only about personal survival but about protecting the communities she works with. “If I’m traveling or organizing, I make sure I don’t compromise others”, she says.

Abbas also points to creative strategies for keeping activism alive, sometimes organizing online when permits are impossible to obtain, holding meetings in safe spaces offered by trusted organizations, or even using Starlink to connect with women in conflict zones. Small gestures, like making gatherings warm and welcoming with coffee and tea, also matter.

War, Loss, and Resilience

When asked about her most difficult moment, Abbas doesn’t hesitate to say, “This war”. The current conflict in Sudan has displaced her, destroyed communities, and fractured activist networks. She describes the disorientation of suddenly becoming homeless, her young daughter asking, “Are we homeless now?” a question she struggled to answer.

The war has not only uprooted lives but also broken movements. Longstanding relationships and collaborations among activists have splintered under the pressure of displacement and political polarization. “I don’t feel I am the same person I was when the war started”, she reflects.

And yet, amidst the destruction, she finds hope in the resilience of Sudanese people. “It’s not the institutions that give me hope it’s the people”, she says with conviction. She draws inspiration from ordinary Sudanese rebuilding homes, starting small businesses, and reclaiming their lives despite devastation. “Humans can destroy, but they can also build. I’m proud of the Sudanese people for their resilience”.

Pride in the Next Generation

Proudest achievement for Reem Abbas is not personal recognition but the rise of young women activists in Sudan. When she first spoke out on social media in 2012 and 2013, there were only a handful of women online. Today, she sees countless young women raising their voices, many of whom have approached her to say that her example inspired them.

This generational shift motivates her ongoing commitment to mentorship. She encourages young women to build strong support networks, pursue economic independence, and continue their education through courses and workshops. “Economic empowerment reduces vulnerability”, she emphasizes, noting that financial independence enables activists to make safer choices. She also insists that activism must be paired with continuous learning, “Life is a quest for change. You must keep evolving, reshaping your views, and building knowledge”.