The Only Boy in the Room: Redefining Feminism Through GirlUp UAE

When I first joined GirlUp UAE, I was “the only boy in the room.” It was a title I carried with pride — and, at times, discomfort. Many questioned my place in a feminist movement. But that discomfort became my classroom.

Through GirlUp, I learned that allyship isn’t about leading the conversation but it’s about listening. My role wasn’t to represent women, but to amplify voices that had long been ignored. Serving later as a UN GirlUp Advisor and leading logistics for regional campaigns, I helped design events that addressed menstrual health, education equity, and gender-based violence awareness.

The experience redefined my understanding of advocacy. I developed public relations, event coordination, and cross-cultural communication skills, while also learning humility and resilience.

Standing for feminism as a man taught me something crucial: equality isn’t an act of charity; it’s a shared responsibility. And leadership means creating space where others can rise beside you.