“Invest in People, Not Numbers”: A Young Leader’s Call for Change
This interview highlights the journey of Haifa Aden, a PATH program participant from Yemen, reflecting on how the experience reshaped her understanding of peacebuilding and advocacy. Through the program, she strengthened her skills, explored journalism as a tool for advocacy, and gained the confidence to restructure her organization and refine its goals. Her story underscores the vital role of young women in building sustainable peace and calls on decision-makers to invest in people as the foundation for lasting change.
1. Before joining the PATH program, what did peacebuilding or practicing advocacy mean to you on a personal level?
In a country of wars like Yemen, peace means that the conflicting parties agree that people should be able to feel safe in their own homeland. In general, peace meant safety to me.
As for practicing advocacy, I believe it is a duty—especially if you feel there are issues that fall within your principles and convictions, whether they are related to human rights or politics.
2. What motivated you to apply and participate in the PATH program?
I always feel that the world is evolving, and no matter how much I try to develop myself and improve my skills, in this era we must keep up with everything new.
I wanted to learn and understand more about issues I care about, and the PATH program offered that opportunity, so I applied.
3. Was there a specific session or moment during the PATH program that changed your perspective? If so, why?
Every session contained something that changed my perspective—whether from the content itself or from the experiences shared by some of the trainers when presenting it. Their stories made me stop, reflect, and feel proud of them.
In short, their determination, practice, and experience made me change many of my views about different matters.
4. How did the PATH program affect the way you approach your work or your community?
The following sentence may summarize what the PATH program meant to me: it helped me restructure my organization and reformulate its goals for 2026 based on what I learned and shared with my team.
5. During the mentorship phase of the PATH program, which advocacy track did you focus on, and what goal are you seeking to achieve through it?
I focused on journalism because it was a new experience for me. At a time when almost everything relies on journalism and social media, advocacy requires several complementary aspects, including journalism. My experience in this area was weak, but with PATH I gained the basic foundations that enable me to use journalism in advocacy during campaigns.
6. Why do you believe that the participation of young women in the region in peacebuilding efforts is essential?
Because this is their time to build peace, and in the future it will be the turn of the next generation. I do not find it logical to marginalize young women—you would be marginalizing a whole generation, its thinking, and its potential for development. Our countries might have been different and governed in different ways if young people had been given opportunities. In my view, young women do not seek wars; their vision is always toward peace, economic development, and political participation that helps raise their voices on issues concerning their countries.
7. If you had the opportunity to send one message to decision-makers or leaders in the region, what would it be?
Invest in people as a sustainable asset, not merely as a demographic number.
8. Looking to the future, how do you see yourself building on the experiences and knowledge you gained from the PATH program in the coming months or years?
The PATH program was comprehensive in developing and strengthening the important issues that concern us as women leaders. It also explored in depth how we manage our causes and our organizations. I feel that I have made a significant leap in confidence and knowledge, which will enable me to achieve the goals we have set.