In a bold step toward amplifying the voices of adolescent girls, the UNFPA Arab States Regional Office has launched the Adolescent Girls Social Practice Lab—a groundbreaking initiative designed to tackle the unique challenges faced by adolescent girls across the Arab world.
From May to November 2025, this girl-centered initiative will bring together 73 participants, including 22 adolescent girls from 12 countries—Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. Alongside government representatives and civil society leaders, these young women will co-create solutions to the socio-economic and cultural barriers that hinder their progress.
Why This Matters
Adolescent girls (aged 10–19) make up 8.9% of the Arab region’s population, yet they often face a “double disadvantage”—being both young and female. Many grapple with limited opportunities, early marriage, and societal expectations that silence their potential.
“This is an opportunity to center the voices of adolescents and youth in our work,” says Laila Baker, UNFPA Regional Director. “Investing in girls during this critical stage can transform their futures—delaying childbearing, strengthening their choices, and accelerating women’s empowerment.”
How the Lab Works
The initiative combines two powerful approaches:
A Virtual Community of Practice– Online sessions where country teams share knowledge, build skills, and elevate youth-led storytelling.
A Virtual Hackathon – A youth-led innovation challenge where teams, including adolescent girls, design and pitch solutions for girls in both development and humanitarian settings.
Girls Leading the Change
At the heart of the Lab are girls aged 15–19, who will shape projects, drive advocacy, and share their lived experiences. Their voices are already making an impact:
“Society sees girls as adult women once they get their periods, pushing them into early marriage—a form of violence,” one participant shared.
“When we unite, we can influence society and policymakers to take girls’ issues seriously,” another added.
“This Lab is a space for us to speak up and address the problems we face,” emphasized a third.
A Movement, Not Just a Program
The Adolescent Girls Social Practice Lab is more than a project—it’s a call to action. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and girl-led solutions, it paves the way for a future where every young woman in the Arab region can thrive, lead, and shape her own destiny.
“Let’s move forward together,” urges Laila Baker. “Girls must be seen, heard, and valued—not just as beneficiaries, but as leaders.”
Join the Movement
The launch featured two dynamic sessions: “Kick-starting the Social Practice Lab” and a “Special Virtual Session for Adolescent Girls”, creating a space for cross-border connection and collective visioning.
Now, the real work begins.
Will you stand with them?
To learn more and support adolescent girls in the Arab region, follow UNFPA Arab States’ initiatives and join the conversation.
