News and Updates
April 23-26, 2026
During CAHR 2026, YSMENA showcased the art from the Trans Photovoice Project. The Art Exhibit, titled "Middle Eastern and North African Trans and Gender Diverse Photovoice Art Exhibit: Stories of Resilience & Be/Longing" was presented at an ancillary event during the 35th CAHR conference. The team proudly highlighted the continually important voices of Transgender MENA young adults within Ontario
April 23-26, 2026
YSMENA presented a poster abstract on "Culturally Responsive Sexual Health and Wellbeing Programming for Trans and Gender Diverse Middle Eastern and North African Newcomer Young Adults in Ontario: Community-Based Participatory Research through Arts-Based Approaches" at the 35th Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research (CAHR).
November 29, 2025
YSMENA proudly launches the "Middle Eastern and North African Trans Photovoice Art Exhibit: Stories of Resilience & Be/Longing" in Toronto! This is an important knowledge mobilization event to encourage greater community safety and more culturally competent and gender-affirming care and social services.
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November, 2025
Dr. Roula Hawa and YSMENA presented at the CBRC 2025 summit where they presented a poster focusing on mindfulness, resilience, and self-compassion among GBM and trans and gender diverse MENA youth in Ontario communities whose voices and experiences deserve far more space in research and policy.
August 1, 2024
The importance of understanding the unique challenges of youth from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is explored in this research spotlight. The YSMENA Study highlights the needs of MENA youth as they navigate HIV and sexual health access when they settle in Canada
June 6, 2024
YSMENA and Dr. Roula Hawa are launching a new mindfulness study as a tool to create connection, heighten resiliency and lower high-risk activity within a population facing many new cases of HIV.