The process to find our passions and vocations is influenced by several factors. It starts early in our life and lasts for years. Young people struggle to find a place and a role in society, which at times limits their potential and increases their uncertainty. In Palestine, where they represent 30% of the population, young people are looking for some room to increase their skills and build their future. But it is not that easy.
Some of them are particularly successful and become a role model for the others. For instance, it is a pleasure to introduce Duha Shellah to the world.
Duha is a 25-year-old girl from Nablus, West Bank. She recently graduated from medical school at An-Najah National University, Palestine. As a young professional, she is eager to learn and affirm herself as a doctor, but also as an activist - “Being a doctor, advocating for health, particularly reproductive and mental health, means to do my job at 360 degrees. It means preventing, creating knowledge, and finally building a healthier society”.
After conducting research on youth, mental health, and women rights for several years, and a dozen scientific articles published, Duha founded “The Researchist” in 2019. This is a research community to support and empower early career researchers and scientists. That same year she became a member of the Ypeer Palestine. The Peer Palestine is a network of 250 young people, which mission is to strengthen and spread high quality peer-to-peer education through innovation. It was established in 2017, now operating in the West Bank and Gaza. Duha and the other Ypeer members work to raise awareness among youth delivering trainings, workshops and many other activities regarding gender, gender-based violence, social stigma, sexual and reproductive health.
She also started to volunteer in mobile clinics in Jenin and Qalqilya, funded by UNFPA, and by the Government of Canada through the project Access to Comprehensive Gender-Responsive, Sexual, Reproductive Health and Rights, as well as GBV Services of Vulnerable Women, Adolescents, and Youth in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. - “People do not want to talk about reproductive or mental health. Why are they so afraid? I am always excited to go to the mobile clinics and raise my voice. It is my role”.
Among other things, Duha is now the Palestinian Ambassador at the International Journal of Medical Students, an active member of Committee of Publications Ethics (COPE) and the Medical Journalists' Association (MJA).
On the occasion of the World Health Summit 2022 in Berlin, Germany, Duha participated as a panellist in a series of talks witnessing youth experiences. That was her first time travelling abroad and she returned home with an amazing award: the event’s committee nominated her among the 21 most outstanding young physicians in the world.
“They say I have great communication skills, this is why they listen to me. The reality is that every time I am out there talking about health, I feel responsible, and I give my best”.
