These women leaders are transforming the world — one click, one comment, one connection at a time. by Lisa K. Anderson, for World Pulse In the midst of global disruption and pain, women leaders in nearly every country of the world are stepping forward to write a kinder, more equitable…

Mourning the loss of her homeland, Kamila Geethi recounts leaving Afghanistan behind to escape Taliban rule. “For a moment, I felt I had fallen unconscious, that I had left my heart, my organs, and all my life behind.” Editor’s Note: This story is part two in a series. To read part one, click here. by Kamila Geethi for World Pulse Just months ago, life was not…

As the founder of the No Girlchild Must Dropout campaign, Olanike Adesanya helps girls to dream big and create plans for the future. “I tell the girls I work with that bright and good futures don’t just happen by chance; they come by design.” by Olanike Adesanya As a young girl, I thought my future would take shape naturally. Little did I know that for a girl child to have a promising future…

Just days before the Taliban captured Kabul, Kamila Geethi shared her heartbreak-and an urgent plea. Now safe in Europe, she wants you to heed her words. Editor’s Note: This story is part one in a series. “My sisters, I urge you to remember Afghanistan. I urge you to talk about the crisis in my homeland, to play a role in making a difference in the lives of Afghan people. “ by Kamila Geethi Today is another…

From across Asia, Sambridhi shares a supportive, resilient message with her Afghan sisters. “I want you to be stronger than the fear that surrounds you and keeps you awake at night. I want you to know there is a bigger world, and it stands in solidarity with you.” To the Women of Afghanistan, You are brave. I say this not to pour words…

Disability rights advocate Sif Holst on the importance of nurturing everyone’s potential as we build strategies to recover from the pandemic. “If we truly are to build back better after the pandemic, we must activate our resources to empower each other and develop our skills.” by Sif Holst on World Pulse The pandemic has affected us all, striking hard at some of the most vulnerable communities and individuals. “Now is the…

As a community social worker, Teresa Wambui knows the devastating impacts of hunger and poverty. She says there’s one thing that can help everyone meet their basic needs. “A hungry nation cannot work in order to sustain its economy.” by Teresa Wambui for World Pulse I am a community social worker. For more than 10 years, I have been visiting the slums outside the Nairobi suburbs. These household visits have been challenging; the heartache and suffering, palpable. …

As a third wave of COVID-19 reaches South Africa and nationwide protests escalate following the sentencing of former president Jacob Zuma, Laa’iqah SeedSower speaks of the devastation that has engulfed her homeland in what is being called the worst violence the country has seen since 1994. “It is heartbreaking to consider that while the pandemic has not brought us to a standstill, our own people have.”

Elizabeth Francis sees a striking contrast between the Caribbean’s idyllic island life and rising rates of gender-based violence. She dreams of creating a healing space to give survivors a fresh start. “We have marched, we have stood with candles and cried, we have raised our voices, and we have advocated for change. We have put systems in place, hotlines upon hotlines, but still, it’s not a lifeline in the moment.”