The platform Batala has 250 women-led channels from Middle Eastern countries.

Residents empowered by high-speed internet and access to state-of-the-art hardware in countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, among others across the Middle East, are turning to online channels for showcasing their talent. The reach that social media offers to netizens, along with the technology that turns smartphones into production tools, has encouraged young Arabs to become digital content creators.

From artists to travellers and web journalists, everyone has found a wider audience thanks to platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, where visual material has a lot of takers. With a focus on highlighting women who are emerging as influencers in the connected age, global online broadcasting giant YouTube has re-launched its initiative called Batala, that promotes channels led by Arab women.
The hub which now features 250 channels created by female Arab content producers, was first launched in 2016 as part of a larger push to promote women from the region online. Back then it had just five channels which garnered a following of more than a million subscribers, today Batala has almost 150 such accounts.
It has playlists with categories including education, wellness, fashion, beauty and music, followed by top regional content creators listed under them. At the same time, the project also highlights that gaming related videos are the ones that attract the highest number of viewership as well as original content from Arabic-speaking women.
The criteria for a channel to be featured on the platform includes language, responsible content and consistency of the visual material. Other than the video hub for Arab women, the site has also been hosting workshops to help female producers work on their skills for better quality of content.
Among the most popular faces ok Batala, gaming influencers Meshael from Saudi Arabia and Kafa from Tunisia lead the way, followed by Saudi lifestyle vlogger Manola and Egypt's Nedal known for her virtual book club.
Over the years Arab women like Huda Kattan have emerged as social media influencers, and platforms including Spotify have launched initiatives to highlight the talent of female Arab artists.