PublisHer deepens links with North African publishing at Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair 2025
PublisHer, the international network dedicated to empowering women in publishing, played a leading role at this year’s Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair, significantly expanding its engagement with bookwomen across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Under the aegis of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), which is spearheading Sharjah’s role as Guest of Honour at the fair, PublisHer delivered an insightful panel aiming to deepen its connections and support for women in North African publishing.
PublisHer Founder, Bodour Al Qasimi, said: “We’re determined to amplify the voices of women in publishing everywhere, particularly in regions where their potential remains untapped. Our presence in Rabat underscores our dedication to engaging deeply with North African publishing communities through open, honest, and transformative dialogue. Such discussions shed light on existing challenges and inspire actionable pathways toward an inclusive and equitable publishing industry.”
The panel entitled, Women in Translation: Ensuring Diverse Literary Access, was moderated by Rita El Khayat (Editions Aïni Bennaï) and featured publishers Amina Hachimi Alaoui (Yanbow Al Kitab); Yasmina Naji (Kulte Editions) and Ghizlane Chrabi (Onze Editions). Its focus was the overlooked role of translation in amplifying women’s literary voices globally, emphasising cultural exchange and diverse narrative access.
PublisHer’s successful participation in Rabat, including occupying part of the Sharjah Book Authority stand, reinforces its ongoing commitment to professional development, networking, and advocacy for women in publishing globally. It also underscores the vital role women play in shaping the cultural and literary landscape across the MENA region and beyond.
This program follows two enormously successful participations at the Sharjah Booksellers Conference, and Bologna Children’s Book Fair which have further underscored PublisHer’s commitment to supporting women in the global publishing community.
