By Rooney Mina Nabil

Capacity Building Training Course in Bodrum, Türkiye (26.10.2024- 02.11.2024)

Youth Exchange on Gender Stereotypes in Lezhe, Albania (04.04.2025- 10.04.2025)

Hi everyone, my name is Rooney and I’m from Egypt. I’m one of the ambassadors who attended the Bodrum training course in Turkey. This training was about how we can be good facilitators. We were more than 20 people from Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, and Albania. It was all about gender roles, social integration, social media, campaigning, and gender equality, basically women’s empowerment.

Now I’m attending my second Youth Exchange in Lezhë, Albania, and this time it’s about gender stereotypes. Being a part of a Youth Exchange in Albania and talking about gender stereotypes is a powerful and meaningful experience. When I first joined, I knew I was stepping into a space where important conversations would take place, but I didn’t expect how much they would change my personality.

These Youth Exchanges bring together young people from different countries and backgrounds. Despite all the differences we have, there is one thing in common, the experience of being put into boxes because of our gender.

Through workshops, group discussions, and creative activities, I started to reflect deeply on how gender stereotypes shape my own life. I realized how often I have heard phrases like “men don’t cry”. Sometimes these words come from society, sometimes even from close people like family. They always left a mark.

But here and now, I had the chance to unlearn those ideas. We talked openly about how stereotypes limit people, saying men don’t cry or women can’t lead. We explored how these ideas are spread through culture, media, and even our education systems. More importantly, we imagined a world beyond them, a world where everyone is free to just be themselves.

One of the most powerful moments for me was sharing stories with other participants from different countries. I discovered that gender stereotypes exist everywhere, even though they take different shapes. All of us faced different challenges.

This Youth Exchange didn’t just teach me about gender. It taught me about courage, empathy, and change. I now believe that small acts, like supporting someone who feels judged or simply speaking up, can lead to bigger shifts.

I will leave Lezhë not only with beautiful memories but also with a stronger voice and a clearer purpose. I want to keep challenging the invisible walls that society builds around us. And for those who are reading this, I hope you feel inspired to do the same.