In 2018, Jomana Attia set out on a 559-mile walk across Egypt, a 24-day feat that not only tested her endurance but reignited her sense of purpose. Sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund, the walk aimed to raise awareness around improving the country’s reproductive and maternal healthcare. With the original goal of shedding light on a worthy cause, Jomana’s endeavor opened her eyes to the gender inequities afflicting the country.

Born and raised in Cairo, Jomana, like most of the girls in her community, led an active lifestyle and reaped the benefits that sports provide. However, until her marathon trek, Jomana was unaware of Egypt’s deeply embedded traditional gender roles and social stereotypes in other areas of the country. After the 559-mile walk, she got to work creating her “Be Active” initiative, designed to empower women in under-served communities through sport. Along with her project, Jomana is also a stand up paddler (SUP) and became the first Egyptian and Arab woman to participate in the 2019 SUP World Championship in Qingdao. She’s currently a stand up paddling coach with Cairo Water Sports, one of the top high performance sports and recreation academies in Egypt.