From remote villages to the Badia, areas often overlooked by traditional training initiatives, a different kind of journey unfolded. It was not only a series of trainings, but a space for connection, learning, and inspiring stories shared by women and girls driven by passion and a desire for change.
In this spirit, the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), in partnership with UN Women, successfully concluded the second phase of training under the Women and Girls Oasis program, implemented as part of the Empowering Each Other project. The sessions ran from 12th October to 2nd November 2025.
Led by a distinguished team of experts, including Dr. Haifa Haidar and lawyer Imad Abu Saleh, the training phase spanned 18 centers across 11 governorates, reaching approximately 500 women and girls. Their expertise and human-centered approach enriched every session, creating a meaningful learning experience for all participants.
Dr. Haifa Haidar reflected on the experience, saying: “The journey of learning is a passion without limits. With every training, I begin a new story and a new path of awareness with each participant. In the villages and the Badia, my determination grows stronger; every woman I meet holds a treasure of experiences and a remarkable desire to contribute. Together, we can unlock our collective potential to build a fair and equitable society.”
She added that each training revealed women with the potential to become national leaders “if they are given access to the right support and opportunities.”
Coach Imad Abu Saleh highlighted the impact of the trainings: “The civic participation sessions helped plant the idea that women and girls play a central role in society. They discovered abilities they didn’t know they possessed and learned the value of community engagement and self-discovery. It was a clear message: every girl has a voice capable of creating change.”
He noted the importance of reaching underserved communities: “The selection of training locations was exceptional. These areas, though far from city centers, are full of life and energy. Despite modest facilities, they were more valuable than any luxury venue. Bringing training directly to people, despite challenges, is powerful in itself.” Participants echoed these sentiments.
Sajaa Al-Jaafreh shared:ؤ“We used to believe opportunities never reached our areas. Today, we learned that empowerment begins within us. This training opened a new door, one that helped us see our abilities and believe there are no limits to what we can achieve.”
Participant Hadeel Al-Aloun added that the sessions were “very useful, we learned problem-solving strategies and how to apply them in our daily lives and communities.”
Similarly, Rahma Al-Abadi noted that the intensive training helped participants overcome their fear of speaking in front of others: “It was truly a rich and inspiring experience.”
For Hala Al-Zoubi, the experience stood out: “The best training I’ve attended recently. I learned self-confidence, the importance of balance, and how to be an active member of my community.”
The Empowering Each Other project aims to equip women and girls with leadership and community-engagement skills, enabling them to become trainers and influential leaders in their governorates. The program covers civic participation, leadership, public speaking, social protection, psychosocial support, and the prevention of violence against women and girls.
Participants agreed that the trainings revealed a genuine desire among women to engage, learn, and lead—and that what they need most is guidance, motivation, appreciation, follow-up, and a supportive environment to nurture their ideas and ambitions.
This initiative represented a journey of meaningful outreach to remote communities that had long been underserved. There, ARDD found strong, ambitious women, ready to lead and make an impact whenever the opportunity arises. This stands as a testament to what Empowering Each Other truly represents: expanding equal opportunities, supporting women’s leadership, and strengthening civic participation, from the heart of the community and back to it.
