By Zain Masri | Mental Health Program Manager
In Nablus, the realities of ongoing conflict and socio-economic challenges weigh heavily on daily life, especially for young women. Sports and fitness, which offer proven physical and mental health benefits, are often out of reach. Limited access to resources, cultural constraints, and a lack of safe spaces for physical and emotional expression leave them vulnerable to isolation, stress, and trauma.
At TYO, we recognize that sports and physical activity are powerful tools for healing and empowerment. And we believe that addressing these challenges require a holistic framework - one that integrates physical activity with mental health support, and ensures that their psychological and emotional well-being is nurtured alongside their physical development.
Our programs offer safe spaces and structured activities, where young women can engage in group fitness and sports activities. Guided by trained professionals, they combine physical activity with emotional well-being practices, such as mindfulness, reflective exercises, and peer support discussions. This approach provides participants with tools to process their emotions, build resilience, and develop a stronger sense of agency and self-worth.
Gaining the confidence to complete a fitness challenge is important, but we invite our participants to reflect on how that strength can also apply to her personal challenges:
"I thought sports were just about moving my body, but I realized it’s also about calming my mind. During the breathing exercises, I learned to focus on my feelings without fear. I feel I am becoming stronger, inside and out," one of them shared with us.
And the impact goes beyond the individual level. By forming bonds rooted in shared experiences and mutual support, participants cultivate informal support networks that extend beyond the program and help them feel less isolated and more connected to their peers and community.
"We laugh and talk a lot during the fitness classes, and we find out how much we have in common, because we share the same struggles. And I know they may not go away soon, but I stopped feeling so alone and found a way to cope with stress," another participant said.
As young women gain confidence, resilience, and supportive relationships, they bring these benefits into their families, schools, and broader communities.
Your support makes a difference in empowering young women and in building a stronger, more resilient Nablus. Together, we can help girls overcome barriers, break cycles of trauma, build their physical and emotional strength, and drive positive change.
By Beatriz Carvalho | Internship Coordinator
By Ahmad | Social Media Officer
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