On September 30, we had the honor of welcoming to ICU’s Rome office the six young women selected to represent the Ra’idat – Promoting Women’s Leadership in Libya (2025-2028) program. During their visit to Italy, they had the opportunity to share dreams, visions, and change projects.
Ra’idat (“female pioneer”) is an annual joint program by UNSMIL, UNDP, UNICEF, and UN Women that aims to create a network of young women equipped with skills, knowledge, and bonds of friendship to work together and engage as leaders in their communities. Each year, the program trains and supports 35 young Libyan women, strengthening their leadership, communication, advocacy, and teamwork skills.
The six participants we met, coming from different backgrounds but united by the same determination, shared their aspirations:
🎓 S.H. – Strongly believes in the importance of education and teaches languages even for free to provide opportunities for children. She organizes initiatives such as public screenings, involving young people and trying to inspire a passion for cinema and society, convinced of the power of film as a tool for civic awareness and social change.
💻 S.B. – Computer science student, spoke about the challenges and opportunities for women in STEM. Despite her young age, she has a strong leadership mindset and a clear vision of the contribution she wants to make to change.
⚖️ W.K. – Legal activist, aims to promote women’s rights through advocacy and access to justice. Her ambition is to ensure equality and protection of women’s rights in all social and legal spheres.
📚 N.A.H. – University lecturer and activist, wants to strengthen women’s roles through education and community initiatives, supporting youth entrepreneurial development through training and mentorship.
🤝 E.E. – Project coordinator in a local organization, dedicated to youth leadership training programs. Curious, empathetic, and with a problem-solving spirit, she manages complex projects and promotes inclusive communities.
🌟 E.S.H. – Activist and volunteer, collaborates with various social organizations. Always learning, she applies her skills to serve the community, demonstrating adaptability and constant commitment to women’s roles.
For ICU, this meeting was a valuable moment of discussion on capacity building and gender discrimination. Sharing reflections with young women who face or aim to overcome these challenges enriches us and inspires our projects, which have always focused on women’s empowerment and inclusion.
The participants provided concrete ideas for cooperation between Italy and Libya, which we intend to enhance and develop. 🌍 These meetings remind us how important it is to give space and voice to the new generations. The Ra’idat program not only offers training opportunities: it constitutes a network, a laboratory of ideas, and a chance to support young leaders so they can leave a positive and lasting mark on society. 💪✨
