Ode to Mounira Rahou | Own identity as a strength

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In een diepgaand gesprek met Mounira Rahou komen belangrijke thema's zoals identiteit, doorzettingsvermogen en de uitdagingen die ze als vrouw heeft overwonnen aan bod. Haar verhaal is een bron van inspiratie, niet alleen voor vrouwen, maar voor iedereen die te maken heeft met onrecht, discriminatie of obstakels op hun pad.

Mounira Rahou was born and raised in Amsterdam. Her family originally came from Morocco, and her grandfather was one of the first Moroccans to come to the Netherlands in 1956. “My grandfather came with the intention of staying temporarily, but his dream of returning to Morocco never came true. However, his stay here gave us the chance to build a life for ourselves in Amsterdam. We have adopted Amsterdam as our city. During his studies, my father also worked on the construction of the metro line in the central station. I feel that pride every time I board the metro,” Mounira says.
 

For her, Amsterdam is more than just a city; it is an integral part of who she is. She considers it her home and has always tried to take advantage of the opportunities this city offers. “Amsterdam is everything to me. Here you can be anything. It is my place, it shapes my identity. I am Amsterdam, I am of Moroccan origin, I am a Muslim, I am a woman, a citizen of the world and I am strong.

The fight against injustice

Mounira has always had a strong aversion to injustice. She has a hard time dealing with social injustice and feels the urge to always be honest and help others. This is also strongly influenced by her faith, which gives her the strength to communicate sincerely and to open up socially to others. “It is important to be social and open, and honest with people. I also want to inspire others to do the same,” says Mounira.
 

In her youth, she was involved in offering internships to young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods to combat discrimination and exclusion. “I have always tried to put a positive spin on situations that seemed difficult. Even in secondary school I had consultation hours for young people who had trouble finding internships, simply because they had a different background,” she proudly shares. ”I also received an award for this from the municipality of Amsterdam at the time.”

As a pharmacy assistant and later as a surgical assistant, Mounira was confronted with discrimination in the workplace. “I was often not hired, purely because of my background. But I refused to give up,” she says. Thanks to her determination and perseverance, she did eventually find a place in the sector, and now she sees women from different backgrounds working in every pharmacy in Amsterdam.

Her struggle continued when she entered the medical world. “When I was training as a surgical assistant, I was confronted with the expectation that I would quit as soon as I got married or had children. But I decided to persevere, and eventually I became one of the few women to complete my training and continue my career.”

Inspiring and empowering other women
 

Mounira is passionate about inspiring other women, especially the new generation in Amsterdam. “My message is simple: don't give up. If you have something in mind, believe in it, work for it and don't let anyone disturb your dreams,” she says. She is convinced that your own identity is a strength, something to be proud of.
 

“I want women to know that they are much more than what others think of them. Don't let anyone pigeonhole you. You have so much potential, so much strength. Follow your heart, don't let the opinions of others destroy your dreams,” Mounira emphasizes.

Her family plays a crucial role in her journey. Mounira draws inspiration from her parents, who always supported her, as well as from the women she has met in her life. “My mother was always active in the community, especially in getting women out of their isolation. She organized sports activities in the neighborhood for women who never went out, and that gave them the strength to express themselves,” says Mounira.
 

She also emphasizes the importance of community and how connecting people, regardless of their background, leads to a stronger and more open society. “It is important that we broaden our horizons, listen to each other and give each other space. The differences we see in each other are precisely the things that can enrich us.”

The legacy of Amsterdam
 

Mounira is proud of her origins and her city. Her family taught her the importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive attitude. “Amsterdam has shaped me. It is more than just a place; it is part of who I am. It helped me find myself, and I hope that my story also inspires others to keep fighting for their dreams.”