TikTok is no longer about viral dances. It is now a powerful platform where social movements are conceived and a real impact is created in the Middle East and North Africa.
What are the MENA Change Makers?
Young creators from around the region are turning TikTok into a platform for real conversation on mental health, belonging, and wellness. The content is their own and unfiltered, sparking needed conversations and challenging communities to act. Now in its second year, TikTok’s Change Makers Program is a real impact in MENA, where it brings to light creators who put passion and purpose first in what they create.
One innovator is Saudi Arabia’s Haya Sawan. She’s a businesswoman leading the wellness drive in the Kingdom. Companies like SheFit, Haya’s efforts directly align with Saudi Arabia’s wider health, women empowerment, and creating an inclusive economy agenda. She’s also a board member of the Saudi Surfing Federation, showing wellness is not all about physical wellbeing—it’s about creating real community impact.
In the UAE, Lebanese artist Yara Abou Monsef is connecting hearing and Deaf communities on TikTok with her sign language clips and everyday stories. She’s not seeking perfection but building real empathy and sparking conversation on culture, inclusion, and mental health across the Gulf and Levant.
Dr. Eman Gamal, Riyadh, is a clinical nutrition specialist with an affection for mental health. Her videos are raw truths about life challenges, balancing hectic living and plain conscious living. Eman’s message is straightforward: wellness comes in simple, effective steps anyone can take.
How They’re Making a Difference
Last year’s Change Makers went all in, posting over 7,000 videos tagged #TikTokforGood. These sparked conversations and even community actions. Kim Farrell, TikTok’s Global Head of Creators, said it best:
Our Change Makers prove that creators don’t just entertain—they inspire real progress. We’re excited to back this year’s group with more support so their voices can reach even further.
What’s Next?
Right now, when people crave authentic connection and substantive change, these artists excel. They promote the spirit of the area’s perseverance and ingenuity. With each post they make, they tell a story that undermines assumptions and builds stronger communities. The movement is just beginning—and they get to choose what’s next.
