Abu Dhabi resident’s podcast gives young girls a voice against bullying

Ola Al Amoudi has started a series of candid conversations that aim to build ‘self-esteem and resilience’

Ola Al Amoudi started the Himma Social Initiative in 2019 to help girls aged nine to 13 to open about problems like bullying and body shaming. Victor Besa / The National

An Abu Dhabi resident has encouraged young girls to share their stories of rejection, depression and anxiety after launching a podcast for them.

Ola Al Amoudi, a Yemeni-American living in the capital, started the Himma Social Initiative in 2019 to help girls aged nine to 13 to open up about problems such as bullying and body shaming.

The podcasts aim to empower girls and help them boost their self-esteem and resilience to cope with situations.

Himma is all about providing a space for expression and embracing problems them without judgement

In one episode, shared on Himma’s Facebook page, a nine-year-old speaks about an incident when she was invited by a group of girls but was later rejected by them.

“I just stood there waiting for them to ask me to play but they didn’t. I suddenly found myself crying in the corner,” said the girl, who is not named in the podcast.

“I felt like I didn’t belong, like my feelings don't matter. I felt that I wasn’t good enough to be part of that group and I should change something about myself to fit in.”

Ms Al Amoudi, who was involved in a similar programme in the US before moving to the UAE six years ago, said the current podcast series had two aims.

“First, we want to normalise the discussion about these things that have an emotional toll on the girls. We want girls to speak out. We don’t want them to have issues they are ashamed to speak about,” she said.

The second aim, Ms Al Amoudi said, was to raise awareness among parents about common issues young girls faced.

The point is not to prevent the problems from happening, which would be impossible, she said.

It is to build resilience in young girls and raise awareness about the things that happen while growing up, giving them ways to cope.

“It’s okay if you are sad. It’s okay if you are angry. It’s okay to feel all these things. You are entitled to feel them, but don’t let it affect your mental health and wellbeing. Learn some skills to cope,” she said.

“They need a space, and this is what we are trying to provide for them – one that is non-judgemental and accepts them the way they are and gives them the opportunity to learn, talk and empower themselves.

“So, this is really what Himma is about, to provide a space for expression and embracing them without judgement.”

The initiative launched in 2019 and received the approval to operate after-school clubs from Abu Dhabi’s education regulator at the end of last year.

Himma received support from Ma’an’s incubation programme over the spring and summer.

Its workshops have remained virtual during the pandemic but it hopes to take its sessions face-to-face in schools once the situation improves.

“Our girls need a space to express, no matter what that’s about, their emotions or identity,” she said.

Ms Al Amoudi is a mother of three, including a nine-year-old girl who has experienced many of the issues Himma is designed to help girls face.

“My daughter was one of the girls who spoke in the podcast. I heard things from her that I never thought she went through,” she said.

“So, it is something I have started seeing at home as well.”