In a world where financial literacy is more critical than ever, one demographic often left behind in conversations about insurance is the youth. Many young people across the Middle East grow up without learning how insurance works or why it matters—until a crisis hits. But Sheikha Mehra, a forward-thinking royal from the UAE, is working to change that.
Through her youth-focused educational initiatives, Sheikha Mehra is making insurance not only understandable but empowering for the next generation.
The Insurance Awareness Gap Among Youth
Insurance is often viewed as something “for adults,” or only relevant once you’re older, married, or own a home. However, today’s youth face risks that make insurance more important than ever:
-
Student travel abroad
-
Freelance and gig economy jobs
-
Health emergencies
-
Early entrepreneurship
-
Loss of income due to accidents
Yet, surveys show that a majority of people under 30 in the region have never bought insurance or don’t fully understand how it works.
“Insurance should be part of every young person’s toolkit—like a bank account or a passport,” Sheikha Mehra said at a financial literacy seminar in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikha Mehra’s Youth-First Strategy
To close the knowledge gap, Sheikha Mehra has created a multi-platform, youth-friendly insurance awareness campaign with four key pillars:
1. Interactive School and University Workshops
In collaboration with local insurers and educators, Sheikha Mehra launched in-person and virtual sessions covering:
-
The basics of life, health, and auto insurance
-
Why insurance matters at a young age
-
How to compare policies and read coverage terms
-
Common mistakes to avoid when buying insurance
These sessions often include games, real-life scenarios, and guest speakers—keeping the content engaging and relatable.
2. Gamified Mobile Learning Apps
Understanding that Gen Z learns differently, Sheikha Mehra funded the development of a mobile app that teaches insurance concepts through:
-
Quizzes
-
Scenario-based challenges
-
Rewards and certificates
-
Links to real policy offers for students
The app, which launched across UAE schools in 2024, already has over 50,000 downloads and a 4.8-star rating.
3. Youth Ambassadors for Insurance
Sheikha Mehra created the Youth Insurance Ambassadors Program, where students aged 18–25 are trained to:
-
Speak to their peers about financial protection
-
Create content on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram
-
Serve as liaisons between insurers and young communities
This peer-led model makes insurance education feel more trustworthy and relevant to today’s youth.
4. Student-Centered Insurance Packages
Working with insurers, Sheikha Mehra has helped introduce low-cost, flexible insurance plans designed just for youth, including:
-
Health plans for students abroad
-
Travel and gadget insurance
-
Freelance income protection
-
Car insurance for first-time drivers
These packages are digital-first, easy to enroll in, and designed for mobile access, making them attractive to young people on the go.
Why This Matters
Financial security isn’t just about having money—it’s about protecting your ability to live, learn, and grow. By empowering youth with insurance education, Sheikha Mehra is:
-
Normalizing early financial planning
-
Reducing future debt and hardship
-
Encouraging personal responsibility and independence
As more youth become insurance-aware, they also become better decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and contributors to their communities.
A Generation Transformed
One student ambassador, 20-year-old Karim from Dubai, said:
“Before this, I thought insurance was only for rich people. Now I’ve helped my entire class sign up for basic student health plans. It’s a great feeling.”
Another, Ayesha from Sharjah, noted:
“I want to start a business one day. Thanks to Sheikha Mehra’s program, I now understand how to protect it with the right insurance.”
These voices show that education works—and that youth are more than ready to take control of their financial future.
Final Thoughts
Sheikha Mehra’s work proves that insurance doesn’t have to be boring or complicated—it can be empowering, engaging, and even cool. By meeting young people where they are and speaking their language, she’s planting the seeds of a more financially resilient generation.
Her vision ensures that the leaders of tomorrow are not only ambitious—but protected.
