From Silence to Voice: Xhensura’s Story of Empowerment and Advocacy

Living on the outskirts of Tirana, in a community where most people were preoccupied with their own interests and lacked both the time and opportunity to consider the well-being of others, Xhensura’s worldview was shaped from an early age. In a world where limited opportunities and uncertainty about the future often compel one to focus solely on oneself, the idea of thinking about or even empowering others can seem like an insurmountable challenge. Yet, when equipped with the right support and resources, change becomes possible. Xhensura’s involvement in World Vision Albania’s programmes provided her with the encouragement and the opportunity to look beyond the confines of her community. She soon realised that the empowerment of both individuals and communities can go hand in hand, a realisation that profoundly altered her perspective.

"Where once I only saw my own interest, now I see the interests of the entire community in which I live. This is because there cannot be empowered individuals in an unempowered community," says Xhensura, who has been part of the Impact groups at World Vision Albania for eight years.

This journey has helped Xhensura grow, making her more sociable, proactive, and accepting. In a community where entrenched mentalities often hinder girls from realising their full potential, Xhensura has not hesitated to raise her voice.

"In the community where I live, girls' opinions are often overlooked. They are not allowed to go out after a certain time and have very limited opportunities to express themselves," she explains, highlighting that one of the most significant obstacles to the empowerment of young people is the generational gap. However, she found a way to overcome this barrier through the Impact groups.

Thanks to the initiatives she and her peers have led, today more girls and boys are actively participating in various activities, speaking out about the issues that matter to them, and engaging in the social life of their communities.

"One of the most impactful initiatives we’ve undertaken through the Impact groups has been raising awareness about the empowerment of girls. We’ve achieved this through meetings with both parents and the young people in our community. These initiatives have taught me that with the right support, anyone can have a positive influence on others," says the 18-year-old, who believes that change begins at home.

She has strong evidence to support this, as her parents’ involvement in World Vision Albania’s positive parenting programmes has had a profound impact on her life.

"This has positively affected my mother, making her more committed to creating a healthy family environment, where each member has the space to grow, their concerns are heard, and their achievements are celebrated," Xhensura continues.

Today, Xhensura is a true "changemaker." Not only has she transformed herself and her community, but she has also become a powerful voice for young people across Albania. Having started her journey with World Vision through child protection programmes, Xhensura has since contributed to consultations on the Youth Strategy 2022-2029, and more recently, to discussions surrounding the Youth Law and the Volunteering Law, held at the Municipality of Tirana.

"During a meeting with the Minister of State for Youth and Children, one of my proposals was the creation of dedicated spaces for young people, where they can meet freely, without the need for permission or prior planning. I also suggested that volunteering should be recognised as work experience," says Xhensura, stressing that it is crucial for young people to make decisions for themselves, as no one else understands their needs and challenges better than they do.

World Vision Albania has played a key role alongside the Minister of State for Youth and Children, supporting consultations with young people from the very beginning, regarding the review of Law No. 75/2019 “On Youth” and Law No. 45/2016 “On Volunteering.”

Xhensura’s participation, along with her peers, in these consultations has resulted in significant legal changes that offer young people greater opportunities to contribute and express themselves. The amendments to the Youth Law and Volunteering Law are a direct outcome of the engagement of young people from across Albania, particularly the youth groups within World Vision Albania.

In January 2025, the Minister of State for Children and Youth publicly announced the government’s decision to approve amendments and revisions to Law 75/2019 "On Youth". A significant portion of these changes is the result of proposals and recommendations made during the consultation tour last year, particularly with the high participation of young people from youth groups and World Vision Albania programmes.

This achievement is not only a victory for Xhensura and her peers in the Impact groups but also a significant success in advocacy for young people throughout Albania.

For those young people living in circumstances similar to hers, she has a clear message: "Engagement and self-belief are the keys to change. We can influence and bring about significant change, as long as we have the support and the opportunity to speak and act."

By Alfons Cupaj - PR and Communications, World Vision Albania