Adolescent Girls / Waad Network
Waad Network developed as a specialized track within Sheba Youth Foundation, in partnership with Karama International, to provide a safe space for adolescent girls in Yemen. The network combines listening, protection, and creative expression, empowering girls as owners of their voices and experiences rather than just beneficiaries.
Waad Network in Brief
Waad Network is a specialized track within Sheba Youth Foundation, working to provide a safe space for adolescent girls in Yemen to learn, express themselves, build confidence, and understand issues that affect their daily lives.
Waad begins by listening to girls, then builds activities around their voices that resonate with their age and context, such as art, storytelling, traditional games, school initiatives, digital safety, and climate from a girls perspective. Through this track, Sheba Youth Foundation seeks to support adolescent girls not merely as beneficiaries, but as owners of their voices, experiences, and abilities to express and initiate when provided a safe and supportive environment.
How does Waad work?
We start by listening
Waad begins by asking girls about their reality, needs, fears, and dreams before designing any activity.
We build trust
Waad focuses on building a safe relationship with girls so they feel their voices are heard and respected.
We use familiar tools
Waad uses art, storytelling, drawing, games, puppet theater, and creative writing as tools for learning and expression.
We connect major issues to daily life
Waad addresses issues like climate and digital safety from the perspective of girls daily lives: school, family, mobile phones, mobility, water, and the surrounding environment.
We support micro-initiatives
Waad encourages girls to test safe roles within their schools and communities through simple, actionable initiatives.
Waad Journey over the Years
Waad gradually evolved from a listening space into a practical track combining learning, expression, and protection.
Starting with Listening
Establishing safe spaces through listening sessions to understand girls' realities and needs.
Reactivating Waad & Building Trust
Reactivating the network in Taiz and connecting girls to regional virtual platforms.
Climate from a Girls Perspective
Connecting climate issues to daily life and contributing to regional reports.
Girls-led School Initiatives
Implementing practical school initiatives like afforestation to link learning to action.
Art & Digital Safety
Launching artistic expression workshops and campaigns on digital safety for girls.
My Safe Digital Shadow & The Next Phase
Developing digital privacy tools and drafting the 2026-2028 strategic roadmap.
Selected Activities & Experiences
Highlights of Waad Network activities and experiences over the years.
Listening Sessions & Lived Reality
Waad started by listening to adolescent girls to understand how they see their reality and what safe spaces they need.
Reactivating Waad & Building Trust
Reactivating Waad in Taiz and building an initial group of girls capable of participating in future activities.
Waad and Climate
Connecting climate issues to girls daily lives, like school, water, mobility, and health.
Fingers Crafting Creativity: Afforestation
A small girls-led school initiative to improve the school environment and connect climate to their lives.
Girls and Art
Using art as a tool for safe expression regarding women and children issues.
CyberCompass
Enhancing digital safety for girls, adolescents, and families.
My Digital Shadow
A storytelling session on digital safety for adolescents.
Waad in Regional Spaces
Girls' voices reached regional and international spaces discussing climate, protection, and safe participation.
COP28 Climate Summit
Conveying the voices of Yemeni girls to demand fair climate funding that prioritizes protection, safety, and school access.
Arab Girls Summit
Demanding the development of safe, age-appropriate mechanisms for adolescent girls to participate in decision-making and local peacebuilding.
Riyam Regional Platform
Exchanging regional expertise to secure and monitor digital safe spaces for girls, safeguarding their mental wellbeing and privacy.
Waad Library: Voices, Images, and Tales
Knowledge materials, training guides, artworks, and reports produced through the adolescent girls track.
A Step for Your Digital Safety
A simplified guide on digital safety, privacy, data protection, and handling online risks.
Misinformation & Digital Fatigue
Audio material discussing misinformation, digital fatigue, and conscious online engagement.
Meaningful Climate Action: MENA
A Save the Children regional report featuring Yemeni youth inputs from Taiz via Waad.
Digital Awareness – Your Digital World Under the Microscope
The episode sheds light on the nature and importance of digital awareness, modern digital threats and risks, social engineering, and hacking techniques. It also discusses how to protect yourself through digital tools and methods, the significance of digital rights, and the role of various entities and institutions in fostering a digital culture.
The Next Phase of Waad Network
We look forward to a new phase of expansion and impact, building broader partnerships, enhancing youth leadership, and transforming ideas into sustainable initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of girls and their communities.
This phase focuses on enhancing the leadership presence of adolescent girls and developing strategic partnerships to support local initiatives.
Upcoming Collaboration Priorities
Safe Spaces
Supporting continuous spaces for girls to learn, express, and build confidence.
Digital Safety
Expanding digital protection materials and activities.
Creative Expression
Supporting art, storytelling, drawing, chorals, and puppet theater.
Climate via Girls Lens
Connecting climate to daily life inside schools and families.
Micro-initiatives
Supporting girls to design and implement simple school initiatives.
Safe Documentation
Developing the Waad library respecting girls privacy.
The Next Phase of Waad Network
We look forward to a new phase of expansion and impact, building broader partnerships, enhancing youth leadership, and transforming ideas into sustainable initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of girls and their communities.