At 31, Jill Damatac made the decision to self-deport from the United States, ending 22 years of life as an undocumented migrant. Her journey began at age nine, when her family left the Philippines for the US in search of a better life. But instead of opportunity, they encountered instability, xenophobia, and an immigration system Jill describes as broken. In this episode of Now You Know, we speak to Jill Damatac about what it means to grow up as an undocumented migrant in the US, and how that reshaped her sense of identity, belonging, and home. In this episode: Jill Damatac, (IG), Writer & Filmmaker Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson. Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan. Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
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24:06
Why are so many women being killed?
Every ten minutes, a woman or girl is killed by someone she knows, according to the UN. Femicide is a global issue that we can’t afford to ignore. So what’s really behind it? And more importantly, how can it be stopped? Now You Know talks to María de la Luz Estrada Mendoza, the director of a citizen watch group in Mexico. She shares powerful stories of femicide in her country. We also hear from Mariam Khan, a UNFPA representative in Türkiye, who helps us understand how deep this problem runs in all societies. In this episode: Mariam Khan, UNFPA Representative in Türkiye María de la Luz Estrada Mendoza, Director | National Citizen Observatory of Femicide Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Host, Samantha Johnson. Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan. Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
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26:47
Why does South Korea have the world’s lowest birth rate?
South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. While factors like the economy, government policies, and culture play a role, these challenges exist globally. So what makes South Korea so unique? Now You Know talks to Anna Kook, an AJ+ reporter who covers South Korean society and news. She explains why people in South Korea are not having enough babies. In this episode: Anna Kook, (X / IG), AJ+ Reporter Episode credits: This episode was produced by Zaina Badr, Fahrinisa Campana, and our Host, Samantha Johnson. Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan. Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
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20:22
Inside Syria’s prisons for women
When the Assad regime fell in December 2024, opposition forces opened prison doors across Syria. For many, Assad’s demise was both a shock and a moment of long-awaited freedom. Yet for those who had endured years of torture, the scars – both physical and emotional – remain. How did they survive the unimaginable? On this week’s episode of Now You Know, we talk to Maysaa Al Hassan. She was freed after 11 years in prison. She shares her experience of survival, and why she’s speaking out now: to seek justice for herself and for the countless women who endured Syria’s brutal prison system. In this episode: Maysaa Al Hassan, Former Syrian Prisoner Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson. Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan. Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
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18:10
Can reconstruction ever begin in Gaza?
Israel has resumed its assault on Gaza, shattering the ceasefire with Hamas. Hundreds of people were killed in the first week of renewed attacks and Palestinians have once again been given evacuation orders. As destruction mounts the hope of rebuilding Gaza is fading fast. This week on Now You Know, we talk to Ms. Paula Gaviria, UN Special Rapporteur for the human rights of internally displaced people. We talk about the challenges involved in planning for the rebuilding of Gaza and ask, Will it ever become a reality? In this episode: Ms. Paula Gaviria, (X), UN Special Rapporteur for IDPs Episode credits: This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, and our Host, Samantha Johnson. Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement. Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan. Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
Now You Know is a series from Al Jazeera Podcasts dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, stories, and, at times, some pretty uncomfortable topics. This is a safe space where we go all in so that by the end of each episode, you can say, Now I know. We dive into topics ranging from women in film, finance, sport, health, and career ambition. We talk to women who keep the ladder down so that the girls who follow in their footsteps can climb up.
Now You Know is conversation-driven. Host Samantha Johnson meets people from around the world who share their experiences so that others can learn to keep themselves healthy or be inspired to achieve their own goals.
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