Advocacy Through Endurance Swimming
👩⚕️ Who:
Dr. Mariam Saleh Binladen – Saudi dentist, humanitarian, and endurance swimmer.
🎯 Mission:
To raise awareness and support for refugees, orphaned children, marine conservation, and women’s empowerment through long-distance swims.
🤝 Key Partner:
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
Advocacy Through Endurance Swimming
Dr. Mariam Saleh Binladen has used her endurance swimming challenges to raise awareness and support for humanitarian causes, particularly for Syrian refugees and orphaned children. Her efforts were closely tied to charitable campaigns and partnerships with organizations like the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
Key Fundraising and Awareness Campaigns Through Swimming:
1. English Channel Swim (2016)
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Achievement: First Saudi woman to swim the English Channel solo (England to France).
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Cause: Raised awareness for Syrian orphan refugees.
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Partner: UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
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Impact: Amplified global attention to the refugee crisis, especially the plight of orphaned children.
2. River Thames Swim (2017)
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Achievement: First woman to swim 101 miles of the River Thames.
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Cause: Continued support for refugee children.
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Partner: UNHCR.
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Impact: Strengthened advocacy for child protection in war-affected regions.
3. Saudi Arabia to Bahrain Swim (2022)
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Achievement: Among the first Arab women to swim across the Arabian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
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Cause: Promoting Gulf unity, women’s empowerment, and humanitarian solidarity.
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Impact: Inspired regional pride and fostered cross-border cooperation.
4. Red Sea Swim – Saudi Arabia to Egypt (2022)
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Achievement: First Arab woman to swim from Tiran Island (Saudi Arabia) to Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt).
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Cause: Marine conservation and climate awareness, in support of COP27.
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Campaign: Coral Swim initiative.
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Impact: Drew attention to the urgent need to protect coral reefs and ocean ecosystems.
5. Dubai Creek & Canal Swim (2023)
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Achievement: Swam a significant route across Dubai Creek and Canal, becoming the first woman to complete this full urban water route.
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Cause: Advocated for clean water access, urban sustainability, and female participation in sport.
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Impact: Promoted environmental consciousness in urban settings and showcased women's leadership in endurance sports.
🏅 Legacy Impact:
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Achievement: First Saudi woman to swim the English Channel solo (England to France).
-
Cause: Raised awareness for Syrian orphan refugees.
-
Partner: UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
-
Impact: Amplified global attention to the refugee crisis, especially the plight of orphaned children.
2. River Thames Swim (2017)
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Achievement: First woman to swim 101 miles of the River Thames.
-
Cause: Continued support for refugee children.
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Partner: UNHCR.
-
Impact: Strengthened advocacy for child protection in war-affected regions.
3. Saudi Arabia to Bahrain Swim (2022)
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Achievement: Among the first Arab women to swim across the Arabian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
-
Cause: Promoting Gulf unity, women’s empowerment, and humanitarian solidarity.
-
Impact: Inspired regional pride and fostered cross-border cooperation.
4. Red Sea Swim – Saudi Arabia to Egypt (2022)
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Achievement: First Arab woman to swim from Tiran Island (Saudi Arabia) to Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt).
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Cause: Marine conservation and climate awareness, in support of COP27.
-
Campaign: Coral Swim initiative.
-
Impact: Drew attention to the urgent need to protect coral reefs and ocean ecosystems.
5. Dubai Creek & Canal Swim (2023)
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Achievement: Swam a significant route across Dubai Creek and Canal, becoming the first woman to complete this full urban water route.
-
Cause: Advocated for clean water access, urban sustainability, and female participation in sport.
-
Impact: Promoted environmental consciousness in urban settings and showcased women's leadership in endurance sports.
🏅 Legacy Impact:
Achievement: First woman to swim 101 miles of the River Thames.
Cause: Continued support for refugee children.
Partner: UNHCR.
Impact: Strengthened advocacy for child protection in war-affected regions.
-
Achievement: Among the first Arab women to swim across the Arabian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
-
Cause: Promoting Gulf unity, women’s empowerment, and humanitarian solidarity.
-
Impact: Inspired regional pride and fostered cross-border cooperation.
4. Red Sea Swim – Saudi Arabia to Egypt (2022)
-
Achievement: First Arab woman to swim from Tiran Island (Saudi Arabia) to Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt).
-
Cause: Marine conservation and climate awareness, in support of COP27.
-
Campaign: Coral Swim initiative.
-
Impact: Drew attention to the urgent need to protect coral reefs and ocean ecosystems.
5. Dubai Creek & Canal Swim (2023)
-
Achievement: Swam a significant route across Dubai Creek and Canal, becoming the first woman to complete this full urban water route.
-
Cause: Advocated for clean water access, urban sustainability, and female participation in sport.
-
Impact: Promoted environmental consciousness in urban settings and showcased women's leadership in endurance sports.
🏅 Legacy Impact:
Achievement: First Arab woman to swim from Tiran Island (Saudi Arabia) to Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt).
Cause: Marine conservation and climate awareness, in support of COP27.
Campaign: Coral Swim initiative.
Impact: Drew attention to the urgent need to protect coral reefs and ocean ecosystems.
-
Achievement: Swam a significant route across Dubai Creek and Canal, becoming the first woman to complete this full urban water route.
-
Cause: Advocated for clean water access, urban sustainability, and female participation in sport.
-
Impact: Promoted environmental consciousness in urban settings and showcased women's leadership in endurance sports.
🏅 Legacy Impact:
Dr. Mariam Binladen’s swims are more than endurance challenges—they are powerful tools for advocacy, fundraising, and awareness-building for refugees, environmental conservation, and women's empowerment.
“It’s not just about swimming across challenging waters; it’s about swimming toward a cause that matters.”
~ Mariam Saleh Binladen