Catalyst Creators – Najaax Harun

Welcome to Catalyst Creators! Art as a form of resistance, and freedom with Najaax Harun. In this episode, Maria sits down with Somali artist Najaax Harun, whose raw and striking work challenges societal norms and gives voice to the silenced. Born in Somaliland and now based in Addis Ababa, Najaax’s journey began with poetry as a form of healing, eventually evolving into powerful visual art that addresses themes of gender, identity, and resistance.
Naj shares her experiences growing up in a patriarchal society, the challenges of navigating tradition and artistic expression, and the courage it takes to create despite opposition.
Join us for an inspiring conversation about bravery, creativity, and the power of art to reshape narratives.

This episode was originally produced for Amplify Women’s Voices—a collective podcast platform that celebrates and shares diverse stories from women-led communities across Europe. It’s part of a collaborative initiative by Clôd Baumgartner (EXPEERTS Club), Ioanna Marcou (The A40S), and Melinda Varfi (Social Fokus), and is proudly co-funded by the European Union.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. The EU and EACEA are not responsible for the content.

We’re thrilled to re-share it here on our platform and continue spreading the word—amplifying voices, sparking ideas, and celebrating stories that inspire.