The world is a tough place for women, but it can be even tougher for women in the Arab world, especially when they have to overcome both the patriarchy and countless stereotypes.
It's a constant battle, but still, we persist.
Here are 9 stereotypes that need to disappear.
1. "Adventure is not their best friend."
Lebanese rock climbing enthusiast Ghida Arnaout is not only an adventure seeker but has gone on to co-host Quest Arabiya's new adventure-travel show “Nabd Al Moghamara” (Pulse of Adventure).
Along with co-host Hussein Gazzazz, a Saudi-Egyptian skydiving fanatic, Arnaout has traveled throughout the Middle East and North Africa to showcase the best adventure destinations the region has to offer.
2. "The workplace isn't in their favor."
Saudi's Haifaa al-Mansour has been breaking stereotypes time and again. Mansour's 2014 film "Wadjda" became the first film to ever represent the kingdom at the Oscars.
Lebanon's Nadine Labaki, an award-winning filmmaker, is another example of someone in the entertainment industry who uses the power of film to depict strong female characters in an attempt to break the stereotypes.
3. "They're all uneducated."
When she was just 17 years old, Dr. Khawla Al Kuraya's parents decided it was time for her to get married. But, that didn't stop her from going after her dreams.
After getting her MD in general surgery and medicine at King Saud University in Riyadh - Kuraya became the first to discover the cancer-triggering FOSM1 gene in the human body.
She is currently a cancer specialist at Kind Faysal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.
4. "They have no say in the government."
Earlier this month, Egyptian politician Nadia Ahmed Abdo was sworn in as governor of the coastal province Beheira, becoming the first woman – in modern history – to serve as a governor in Egypt.
Abdo already served as the deputy governor of the region, a post she has held since 2013.
15 percent of Egypt's members of parliament are women, 89 out of 596.
5. "They don't excel in sports."
In 2013, Raha Moharrak became the youngest Arab and the first Saudi woman to reach the top of Mount Everest. She said that convincing her family to allow her to climb was as challenging as conquering the mountain itself. But, she did it nonetheless.
Moharrak travels around the world ticking off one mountain peak after the other and proving that Khaleeji women are as strong, brave and ambitious as anyone.
"As a proud Saudi woman, I know there are still more barriers we need to break down, Moharrak said in a statement.
6. "They're dependent on others."
Latifa El-Nady was the first Egyptian woman to become a pilot and the first Egyptian woman to fly a plane solo from Cairo to Alexandria.
Nady was friends with Amelia Earheart and inspired many other women of her generation to attend flying school and become pilots as well.
It all started when El-Nady read an article about a newly opened flying school in Cairo. At first, her father wasn't too happy, but that did not stop her.
7. "They have no voice."
Oh, Queen Rania.
The definition of an outstanding ambassador and a perfect voice for the Middle East and Arab women in particular.
Queen Rania has long focused on the power of education too transcend the barriers that society has created for women.
8. "They aren't strong."
Young Emirati crossfitter Shaikha Al Qassemi is paving the way for females who aspire to become competitive athletes in the crossfit games.
Qassemi or “Kiki” practices religiously and shares her daily grind and fitness tips with her thousands of followers on Instagram and Snapchat.
She can lift, do muscle ups and box jumps without flinching, all while flicking her hair and looking great!
9. "They can't drive."
Women in the Arab world are in fact allowed to drive - the fact that women in Saudi Arabia can't has somehow made the world believe the entire region bans women from getting behind the wheel.
Goodbye stereotypes, hello adventure!
