Laila Ajjawi, a young Palestinian woman residing in an refugee camp in Irbid, Jordan, is a graffiti artist that is using the power of art to change common misconceptions about women.
As a young woman living in an overcrowded refugee camp, the young Ajjawi often felt that she couldn't break the shackles and hardships that hold back women in modern day society. However, with educational and art training, she was able to see a world beyond the camp doors.
Armed with a few spray paint cans, Ajjawi is adamant that she can show other refugees and young women that they too have the power to change their destinies.
Taking her cause to the streets, Ajjawi spends her mornings working for an NGO and her nights painting the walls of her streets with images of powerful and strong women, hoping to prove that even though women tend to be subdued in a male dominated society, they cannot be limited by cultural restrictions.
Speaking to Cosmopolitan, Ajjawi said that "all these female symbols are new for the street. Usually street art is dominated by men."
"By painting murals of strong women, I'm trying to prove that girls can express themselves without the limits that society or community is trying to put us under."
Laila's contribution hasn't gone unnoticed. The 25-year-old made her way to Cairo, where she participated in an event organized by the Women on Walls Organization . She also painted a mural for the women-only training facility in Amman, SheFighter, which is owned by Lina Khaliefeh.
Ajjawi has big dreams to achieve and virtually nothing will stop her.
"My future doesn't look easy, and I don't know what my limits are, " she said in her interview with Prachi Gupta from Cosmopolitan, adding that "living the traditional life is even less appealing."
Furthermore, Ajjawi is taking on the media: "The media are trying to provoke an idea about girls, that girls cannot take control of her life."
"I'm going to become a part of the media that affects people."