From participant to researcher: My transformative journey with GAGE Lebanon

Authors: Sana Othman with Sally Youssef

This year’s International Day of the Girl Child theme is ‘The girl I am, the change I lead - Girls on the frontlines of crisis". IDG is a key global moment during which to amplify adolescent girls’ voices, actions and leadership.  This year’s theme calls for recognition of girls’ leadership in the face of multiple crises, and to both make visible the challenges they face in context of the global polycrisis but also for the solutions they can bring.

The Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) participatory workstream in Lebanon offers a great example of an initiative whereby adolescent girls  (alongside their male peers) have been afforded a space to foster their voice and agency within their families, communities and the wider society.  

In 2019, two Lebanese adolescents, Sana Othman and Ragheb Saoud, joined the GAGE Lebanon programme as adolescent participatory researchers from disadvantaged communities. Over the years, we have had the privilege of witnessing their remarkable journeys—watching them grow on a personal level, observing how their personalities evolved, and seeing their critical thinking skills expand.

The transformations we observed were so profound that we invited both to take on new roles with us as junior qualitative researchers. Since then, they have received multiple trainings to sharpen their research skills and to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and care. Today, they are not only continuing as qualitative researchers but also contributing in specialised capacities: Sana as a transcriber and coder, and Ragheb as a data manager.

Their stories reflect how participatory research can shape young people’s lives in meaningful ways—building skills, confidence, and aspirations for the future. Both are now pursuing master’s degrees, inspired in part by their experiences with GAGE and the doors it opened for them.

In the first blog, we will share responses from Sana, a young Lebanese woman from Baalbek in which she reflects on her journey with GAGE—from her early days as an adolescent participatory researcher to becoming an integral members of the GAGE Lebanon team. Her reflection highlights not only her personal growth but also the powerful impact of placing adolescent girls’ voice and agency at the heart of research.

Sally: Looking back at your journey since joining GAGE in 2019 as an adolescent participatory researcher, how has this experience shaped you personally, and in what ways has it influenced your perspective on yourself, your community, and your future?

Sana: I have always been naturally curious about life—constantly questioning what’s right, what’s wrong, and why society or religion tells us to do things a certain way. But for a long time, I was afraid to ask out loud. I feared being excluded or told, ‘Don’t ask, it’s taboo; just follow without questions.’

When I joined GAGE in 2019, I was timid—the quiet girl in the room who never spoke. I kept all my questions and doubts inside. Over time, though, I noticed something different about the GAGE participatory research facilitator, Sally: she didn’t judge, she wasn’t shocked when someone shared something unusual, and she kept our words private. That trust allowed me to open up.

Slowly, I began sharing my thoughts and questions. She listened—without judgment, without surprise. That was the moment I realised: being different is acceptable. I don’t have to share the same beliefs, thoughts, or identity as my society. Just because many people believe or do something doesn’t automatically make it right.

Sally: What was your first impression when you were selected by the GAGE team to work with them as a junior qualitative researcher?

Sana: After finishing secondary school, I moved to Beirut, and Sally encouraged me through that transition. In 2023, I graduated from the Lebanese University with a degree in Public Relations and began working in a company. Although my work schedule meant I couldn’t attend the sessions as often, one day I received a call from Sally about a job opportunity with GAGE. I was shocked and could hardly believe that I had been given the chance to work for a programme funded by the UK, especially coming from a family and community that are deeply aligned with Hezbollah. When Sally told me, ‘We care about Sana, her ethics, and her beliefs, not her family,’ I felt incredibly happy and grateful. That reassurance meant the world to me because it recognised me for who I am, independent of the circumstances I come from.

Sally: What did the opportunity of working for GAGE mean to you?

Sana: In 2024, my journey as a researcher began, and it profoundly changed the way I view the world. Listening to the stories of vulnerable people and learning about their lives opened my eyes to realities I had not fully grasped before. It made me realise that there are many important issues to focus on, and that I have a message to carry in this life. I came to understand that I am capable of supporting others, and that—just as others have supported me—I also have a responsibility to give back by sharing my experiences, my thoughts, and by supporting others.

What GAGE gave me went beyond professional growth. The financial support and the independence it provided allowed me to live on my own and make choices that were not possible in my community. Coming from a religious environment, it was not familiar or acceptable to be unveiled, to express political opinions, or to share religious beliefs that differed from the majority. Through the stability GAGE offered, I was able to stay in Beirut, live independently, go unveiled, dress as I wished, and express my thoughts freely. That freedom—to live as myself and on my own terms—is something I deeply value, and it has been one of the greatest gifts of my journey with GAGE.

Sally: How did your experience as a junior qualitative researcher with the GAGE team differ from being an adolescent participatory researcher?

Sana: Joining GAGE as a researcher completely transformed how I see myself and the world around me. I transitioned from being a participant—someone who simply shared her own story—to becoming someone entrusted with listening to, recording, and amplifying the experiences of others. This shift taught me the true value of trust, empathy, and respect for people’s privacy. I came to understand that truly listening goes far beyond just hearing someone’s words—it requires full attention, genuine understanding, and deep care.

Through this work, I developed practical skills I never imagined I would gain. I learned how to ask questions with sensitivity, maintain neutrality without imposing my own views. I also realised that every story I heard carried its own weight and responsibility. These skills have become central to my personal and professional growth.

Being part of the programme also allowed me to witness GAGE’s standpoints in action. I saw how it prioritises the voices of youth, fosters critical thinking, encourages self-awareness, and can create tangible impact within communities. Every session, every interview, and every piece of data was more than just research—it was a step toward meaningful change.

This journey strengthened my confidence, deepened my empathy, and revealed to me the power of using my own experiences to support others. It was not just a research role—it was a path of understanding, growth, and purpose that will continue to shape my future.

Sally: How was your experience participating in the GAGE Endline Conference as both an adolescent participatory researcher and later as a GAGE employee?

Sana: In September 2025, Sally reached out with an invitation that I will never forget: to moderate the GAGE Lebanon Endline Conference. The moment I heard this, I teared up. I knew it was both a great responsibility and a remarkable opportunity for personal and professional growth. I accepted without hesitation, determined to carry out the role with dedication and care.

Preparing to moderate was not easy—I wanted to ensure that my tone, questions, and presence did justice to the participants, the research team, and the audience. I worked hard to prepare, rehearsing my role and thinking carefully about how to guide the discussions in a way that was respectful, engaging, and meaningful. On the day of the conference, standing on stage and leading the conversations was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. Yet, as the sessions unfolded, I felt my confidence grow. The positive energy in the room and the trust placed in me pushed me to give my very best.

Moderating the event was not only about managing the flow of sessions—it was about creating space for dialogue, amplifying voices, and ensuring that young people’s experiences were at the heart of the conversations. It showed me that I could handle responsibility at a high level and that my skills in communication and facilitation are stronger than I had realised.

The experience left a lasting mark on me. It strengthened my self-confidence, honed my leadership and public speaking abilities, and gave me a sense of purpose that I carry forward into my career. Moderating the Endline Conference will always remain a turning point for me—a moment where I stepped into a leadership role and proved to myself that I am capable of guiding important conversations about the future of young people in Lebanon.

Sally: Do you have any final reflections or thoughts that you would like to share with us on the overall impact of your experience with GAGE on you and your career?

Sana: My journey with GAGE has been both grounding and empowering. It taught me humility by reminding me that understanding others’ feelings and experiences is essential, while also giving me the courage to be bold and step into spaces I once thought were closed to me. I realised that I can—I can learn, I can lead, and I can help others, just as GAGE helped me grow into who I am today.

I often look back at the timid girl I once was—the one who hesitated to speak up, who feared rejection or judgment. That girl has transformed. Today, I am pursuing my master’s degree in management, financially independent, living on my own in the city, and proud to have moderated a major conference with GAGE. None of this would have been possible without the safe space the programme gave me to express myself freely, reflect critically, and understand that I am not alone.

GAGE not only influenced my personal growth but also shaped the way I think about my career and my future. It encouraged me to invest in building my skills and to continue higher education, equipping myself with the tools to pursue opportunities with confidence. Along the way, I learned that growth comes from courage, from believing in oneself, and from choosing every single day to become a better version of ourselves. For me, GAGE was not just a programme—it was the foundation for a lifelong journey of empowerment and self-discovery.