Based in both the United Arab Emirates and the U.K., @Voyevoda_Rose is a Middle Eastern-Southern Asian variety streamer who brings tons of banter, good vibes, and sass. The main games of the moment for this BroadcastHER Grant winner are Phasmophobia and Yakuza.  She is also a content creator and an event organizer and is passionate about focusing on creating representation for MENA and Southern Asia.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

My dream is to create interactive, diverse spaces and experiences as a content creator, events organizer, and broadcaster.

How will your award from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals?

This grant will allow me to make upgrades to my current stream setup which will boost production quality and provide more room for creative freedom with live content where interactivity is at the forefront.

What does being a recipient mean to you?

I am immensely grateful to be a recipient of this grant and opportunity, especially as someone of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent. It feels like I am a step closer to creating more representation for people of my likeness and it feels great to be able to do this with the support 1,000 Dreams Fund has provided.

Women are underrepresented in gaming, broadcasting, and e-sports. What can we do to change this?

Create more opportunities for women-led initiatives! We need to work with and foster relationships — especially with potential sponsors and esports organizers — to help create safer, more accessible, welcoming spaces that are inclusive and diverse for all.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

Harassment, sexism, and imposter syndrome, to name a few… I was shamed as a “fraud” for going to gaming events, and it’s an isolating experience. But, I gained the courage to not allow any person to use fear or deceit as a tactic to silence women.

What advice do you have for women who want to start broadcasting?

Know that it’s trial and error. Be yourself. Learn to constructively criticize your vods and grow together; create your space with your vision and not the vision of others. If you aren’t their cup of tea, that’s fine. There are people out there who think you are dope.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

Between Trello, Google Calendars, and Notion, I plan and track my goals and schedule my day-to-day routine as well as monthly projects. Aside from that, I surround myself with the good energy of many highly engaged content creators who will kick my butt verbally if I start slacking.