Hanan Almahseni’s journey reflects the long-term impact of investing in young women through education, civic engagement, and practical experience.

Hanan, from Yemen, was a participant in the ACT – Action for Civic Transformation Fellowship (2022 cohort), a six-month programme designed to empower young people to become leaders in education and civic engagement. Through a combination of experiential learning, hands-on activities, and expert-led sessions, the programme equipped participants with essential skills in civic literacy, leadership, community engagement, public speaking, and project management.

During the fellowship, Hanan demonstrated strong commitment and potential. As part of the programme’s applied learning approach, she was given the opportunity to gain practical experience by contributing to EduRise’s communications work. Through this role, she developed her skills in content creation, audience engagement, and strategic communication, while actively supporting educational initiatives and campaigns.

This experience marked a turning point in her journey.

Building on the skills and confidence she gained, Hanan progressed into professional roles in communications and community engagement. She currently serves as a Community Engagement Centre Officer at the International Committee of the Red Cross, where she contributes to strengthening community connections and supporting impactful initiatives on the ground.

Her career path reflects a strong foundation in media and communications, with previous experience in content creation, media work, and public engagement. Today, she is recognised as a passionate and results-driven communications professional, using storytelling and strategic communication to create meaningful impact.

Hanan’s journey highlights the importance of combining training with real-world opportunities. By bridging learning and practice, programmes like ACT enable young women not only to build skills, but to access pathways into leadership and professional growth.

Her story is a testament to EduRise’s mission: empowering individuals to overcome challenges, unlock their potential, and contribute to positive and sustainable change in their communities.