Maha Mamo was born stateless and lived in the shadows in Lebanon for 26 years. That means not being able to go to school, to the hospital, to travel. To exist. But Maha Mamo’s tireless fight to belong finally paid off in October 2018, when she gained Brazilian citizenship.

Maha Mamo was born stateless due to a web of restrictive laws on civil registration in Syria and Lebanon, the two countries she had ties to. She is determined to advocate for the rights of stateless persons, hoping to put an end to statelessness around the world. She also advocates for an end to discriminatory laws that prevent women from passing on their citizenship to their children. Maha Mamo was born stateless due to a web of restrictive laws on civil registration in Syria and Lebanon, the two countries she had ties to. She is determined to advocate for the rights of stateless persons, hoping to put an end to statelessness around the world. She also advocates for an end to discriminatory laws that prevent women from passing on their citizenship to their children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx