For Tala Hamdan, a 25-year-old Palestinian from Arura village, participating in international platforms has been a game-changing experience both personally and professionally. Tala is a lawyer by profession with a bachelor’s degree from Birzeit University and a passionate youth and human rights activist. She has worked tirelessly in various institutions, advocating for women’s rights and fighting against gender-based violence.
In 2024, Tala joined the YW4A programme, joining a dynamic group of young women. She participated in training trainers and learned the RiseUp! Methodology for young women’s transformative leadership. Tala reflects,
“The training helped me build new relationships with young women from various communities, academic, and social backgrounds. We shared expertise, experiences, and ideas while gaining new knowledge to advocate for women’s rights and achieve social justice.”
Through the YW4A programme, Tala gained opportunities to share her knowledge with many young women, including refugees, through platforms like the Sharek Youth Forum and Ramallah Women’s Training Center (RWTC). The programme also enabled her to attend meetings, training, and webinars with young women from Egypt, South Africa, and beyond. One of her most transformative experiences was participating in the “HURRA Coalition” meeting organised by Equality Now in Turkey. She shared,
“It was an extraordinary opportunity on both a personal and professional level. I met women leaders from the MENA region for the first time, and we collaborated on creating executive plans, proposals, and initiatives. Expanding my involvement to international platforms shaped my character. It opened doors for collaboration with people worldwide, allowing us to discuss and debate issues related to women’s and human rights.”
Tala believes that such international experiences are vital for young women.
“It broadens their horizons, boosts their self-esteem, and teaches them to take charge. It also provides opportunities to learn about other people’s experiences, international laws on women’s rights, and awareness campaigns.”
Reflecting on her experience, Tala stresses the importance of creating safe spaces for Palestinian women to share their stories.
She says,
“For Palestinian women to lead their communities, we must create environments where they can speak freely, comfortably, and autonomously—free from criticism.”
These spaces, she believes, can foster a sense of empowerment and confidence in young women.
Tala is confident that the impact of the YW4A programme will endure. She asserts,
“The end of the programme does not mean the end of young women’s ability to work. We will continue to work and implement initiatives to support young women in Palestine who face complex challenges and violence due to the Israeli occupation. We will create safe spaces in schools, universities, and everywhere.”
Looking ahead, Tala hopes to establish a global forum for young women. This platform would support Palestinian women and provide more opportunities for networking, relationship-building, and learning from women leaders worldwide. Through the YW4A programme and the connections she’s made, Tala is paving the way for a brighter, more connected future for Palestinian women.
