I am Generation Equality: Ahmed Albalkhi, women’s rights and empowerment advocate

Originally published on UN Women's country office website for Jordan

Ahmed Albalkhi, 40, works to engage men and boys in empowering women in his community in Za’atari refugee camp, Jordan. Photo: UN Women/ Lauren Rooney

I am Generation Equality because…

I was amongst the many that fled the war in Syria. Millions of us experienced the same hardships, heartbreak, and pain. Thousands of us found ourselves in the Za'atari refugee camp, where we became one community.

But half of the community was diminished because of their gender. Traditional and cultural norms inhibited women's rights and freedoms, and many were left in a vulnerable position. And I believed that this needed to change.

Engaging men and boys

In 2017, I enrolled as an incentive-based volunteer at the UN Women Oasis Center as a Security Guard. It not only became a job for me but a learning experience, where I recognized the importance of empowering women and girls. I learned the terms, women's empowerment, and gender equality and understood them more concretely. In those moments of understanding and witnessing the strength of the women working in the Oasis, ultimately drove me to become an advocate for women's rights and empowerment.

Yet, I was one of the few men who understood the importance of empowering women. For change to happen, I recognised that more men must understand the value that women bring to the community and the importance of them accessing all of their rights.

Coming together as a community

“Communities must come together...to ensure we have a brighter future.”

I began sharing awareness amongst men and boys in my community. At first, it was hard, some of us came from a place where these traditions and norms were deeply rooted into our mindsets. Despite this, I persevered in sharing with others. I truly believe that if we raise the awareness of men, more women and girls will access the opportunities in life that they deserve, and the whole community will benefit. Three years on, I have begun to notice a difference. But we still have a long way to go.

My message is simple, but action needs to continue to ensure that it becomes a reality: Communities must come together, women and men, girls and boys, this generation and the next generation to ensure that we all have a brighter future and guarantee that all enjoy their rights.

Ahmed Albalkhi, 40, is an incentive-based volunteer enrolled in the UN Women Oasis Center in Za'atari refugee camp, Jordan. Albalkhi is working to raise the awareness of men and boys, and encourage them to stand up for women's rights. UN Women’s incentive-based volunteer programme in the Za’atari refugee camp is generously funded by the Government of Australia.