Arab Women Leadership Institutes Alumna Trains Young Women in Tunisia
Since its inception in 2008, the Arab Women’s Leadership Institute (AWLI) program has successfully trained hundreds of emerging women leaders throughout the Middle East and North Africa. These leaders have taken the knowledge gained through AWLI trainings and conducted activities of their own towards the betterment of their communities.
Imen Benhamed, of Tunisia, one of AWLI youngest participants, was inspired to share what she had learned after attending training where she learned about women’s roles in political reform and building women’s leadership skills. After her training, Ms. Benhamed trained members in several youth organizations on crucial skills such as leadership, working group management, communications skills, social networking, and risk management.
Benhamed was recently selected, based on her active role in building a foundation for democratic institutions in her community and her leadership in AWLI, to participate in a scholarship from the International Republican Institute’s Women’s Democracy Network. She will attend the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University, a program that trains young aspiring politicians who plan to run for office or work as campaign managers.
Benhamed is hoping to run for office in the next round of local Tunisian elections expected to be held in 2013.