At the 2023 Frankfurt Book Fair, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom hosted the Raif Badawi Talk in cooperation with the German Publishers and Booksellers Association. This event commemorated the plight of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi while highlighting challenges faced by journalists worldwide. The panel, themed "Women.Press.Freedom," featured Ensaf Haidar, Raif's wife, along with journalists Nevsin Mengü (Turkey) and Wazhma Tokhi (Afghanistan), who shared their experiences as women navigating press restrictions in their countries and in exile.

Raif Badawi, known for founding the "Free Saudi Liberals" forum, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes, and a hefty fine for his activism. Although released in 2022, he remains under a 10-year travel and internet ban, unable to reunite with his family. Ensaf Haidar emphasized that while political changes are occurring in Saudi Arabia, Raif's situation remains dire.

During the event, speakers highlighted the vital importance of press freedom. Anne Brasseur, member of the Board of Directors of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, stressed that human rights are universal, dismissing the idea that "Western" values differ from others. Constantin Schreiber, journalist and co-founder of the former Raif Badawi Award, warned that critical voices, especially those of women, are being silenced worldwide. Wazhma Tokhi spoke about the severe repression faced by women in Afghanistan, comparing their situation to living in an "open prison." Nevsin Mengü discussed the limitations on the free press in Turkey, where pro-government forces heavily control journalism, making critical journalism increasingly difficult, especially for women.