https://www.girlsglobe.org Gender equality, human rights and social justice. Mon, 23 Jun 2025 08:03:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://i0.wp.com/www.girlsglobe.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/girlsglobe_icon_green2-1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 https://www.girlsglobe.org 32 32 128553070 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/23/yunah-buvmbwe-zimbabwe/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/23/yunah-buvmbwe-zimbabwe/#respond Mon, 23 Jun 2025 08:03:01 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66618 Yunah Buvmbwe is a blogger and a community activist for women's rights. She is also a volunteer for local organizations. 

In this episode, Yunah discusses:

- experiences and observations that motivated her to begin writing poems about girls' rights when she was 12 years old…
- realizing that she could be a voice for girls and women who did not feel that they could speak out…
- what motivates her to continue writing about the challenges women and girls face…
- in college, learning about blogging, attending workshops, and creating her own personal blog, Today’s Truths—My Voice is My Purpose, What’s Yours?…
- writing for the Girls’ Globe platform…
- how reading about other women’s work in their communities helps keep her motivated…
- the importance of working to ensure that government policies are implemented, like the Education Amendment Act in her country…
- how writing helped her overcome shyness and build self-confidence…
- her connection with the women in her community, how their experiences inspire her writing, and the project she initiated to support women in addressing the real issues they face…
- her mother’s role in helping women in the community, too…
- how social media has helped her interact with other woman and see what they are doing in communities globally to advance women’s rights…
- the importance of creating safe spaces for women to share their ideas and their experiences…
- and why we all need to raise critical issues and challenge stereotypes that women face in our own communities.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/23/yunah-buvmbwe-zimbabwe/feed/ 0 66618 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/19/amelia-hruby-social-media-big-tech-and-feminist-organizing/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/19/amelia-hruby-social-media-big-tech-and-feminist-organizing/#respond Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:07:47 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66614 Amelia Hruby is a feminist writer, podcaster and producer with a PhD in philosophy.

Amelia is the founder of Softer Sounds, a feminist podcast studio for entrepreneurs and creatives. And she’s the host of Off the Grid, a podcast about leaving social media without losing all your clients.

Amelia’s work and podcast has been a help and an inspiration for Julia, who made her own decision to leave social media earlier this year.

In this episode, Amelia Hruby shares her own story of wanting to drive change, challenging structures of power and why she took the decision to leave social media. Julia and Amelia discuss big tech, surveillance capitalism and how to navigate the digital world as a changemaker, who cares deeply about people and planet. They talk about shadowbans and persecution of human rights defenders, and how to organize off of social media.

Amelia Hruby leaves us with great advice and encourages us to make conscious decisions about how we use digital tools.

]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/19/amelia-hruby-social-media-big-tech-and-feminist-organizing/feed/ 0 66614 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/13/dr-blessing-timidi-digha-canada/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/13/dr-blessing-timidi-digha-canada/#respond Fri, 13 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66592 Dr. Blessing Timidi Digha is a Black woman who identifies as a Feminist and who is also an Advocate, Storyteller and Community-Based Researcher. She brings all of her intersections and ideologies to the work she does on Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.

Blessing likes to kickstart uncomfortable conversations on issues that concern, affect, and impact girls and women. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in social justice education.

In this episode, Blessing discusses

- the ways people encouraged her to pursue a Masters degree and then a Doctorate, after having first studied engineering in Nigeria because her parents considered it a prestigious profession…
- her choice to study social justice education as her field of study for advanced degrees that complimented her fieldwork experiences…
- the level of openness of knowledgeable professors in Canada who value the diverse field experiences of their students…
- her advice to us all to incorporate what we love into things that we are required to do…
- the importance of honoring the season we are in and of knowing when it is time to let a season go…
- and these words of encouragement: “You can evolve at any time. The only constant is you. As long as you want it, go for it!”]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/13/dr-blessing-timidi-digha-canada/feed/ 0 66592 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/12/francisca-sequeira-surf-therapy-and-girls-mental-wellbeing/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/12/francisca-sequeira-surf-therapy-and-girls-mental-wellbeing/#respond Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:54:21 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66605 Francisca Sequeira is the founder and president of SOMA (Sufers Proud of African Women), the first surf therapy organization in Africa dedicated exclusively to girls.

Francisca, from Portugal, embarked on a new journey in 2020 during the pandemic. She was experiencing anxiety and panic attacks after losing her job as a flight attendant, and discovered surf therapy—a combination of surfing, mental well-being, and empowerment.

What started as a solo trip of self-discovery turned into a larger movement to support women and girls in the islands of São Tomé and Principe.

The organization’s vision is to create the next generation of independent and self-sustainable women, surfing infinite waves of well-being, opportunities, and equity across Africa.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/12/francisca-sequeira-surf-therapy-and-girls-mental-wellbeing/feed/ 0 66605 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/11/greta-gaza-and-genocide-how-silence-shouts-racism-and-complicity/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/11/greta-gaza-and-genocide-how-silence-shouts-racism-and-complicity/#respond Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:27:16 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66598 Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg made headlines upon her return to Sweden yesterday after being forcibly detained on international waters by Israel. She was a part of the crew of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla's boat Madleen, which attempted to break Israel's illegal blockade on the occupied Gaza Strip to supply humanitarian aid.

Since the ceasefire collapsed in Gaza, Israeli forces have escalated their attack, killing and injuring tens of thousands of civilians. The UN estimates that over 640,000 have been forcibly displaced, with people confined to an ever-shrinking space.

Israel has previously attacked boats part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and intercepted the Madleen on international waters and detained its crew earlier this week.

Greta explained that she's most worried about the continued development of the crisis in Gaza, the crimes against humanity that we're witnessing and the war crimes that Israel is guilty of. ]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/11/greta-gaza-and-genocide-how-silence-shouts-racism-and-complicity/feed/ 0 66598 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/05/jacqueline-dunkley-bent-midwifery-maternal-health-and-inequality/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/05/jacqueline-dunkley-bent-midwifery-maternal-health-and-inequality/#respond Thu, 05 Jun 2025 08:37:02 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66588 Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE is the Chief Midwife of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). 

Jacqueline has a tremendous career in midwifery clinical practice and leadership. Prior to joining ICM, Jacqueline served as the first Chief Midwifery Officer for the NHS in England and was one of two National Maternity Safety Champions appointed by the Department for Health and Social Care. She is a registered nurse and midwife and holds honorary doctorates from Worcester and Winchester Universities in the UK and a visiting Professorship in Midwifery at Kings College London and London South Bank University.

In this episode, Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent shares some incredible stories from her career in midwifery, including leading national midwifery initiatives during COVID.

Julia and Jacqueline talk about the needs of midwives and the status of maternal health worldwide. They discuss inequality and inequity of care and outcomes for women and mothers between regions and within countries - and the need for data in combination with the stories of women’s lived realities. Jacqueline speaks about her work with ICM and the importance of midwifery leadership through the crises we are witnessing in the world today.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/05/jacqueline-dunkley-bent-midwifery-maternal-health-and-inequality/feed/ 0 66588 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/23/danielle-mullings-jamaica/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/23/danielle-mullings-jamaica/#respond Fri, 23 May 2025 11:41:50 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66557 Danielle Mullings is a dynamic young leader and technology enthusiast from Jamaica.

She does a fun mix of tech, youth empowerment, and media, hosting a youth TV show, moderating global science events, and serving on Jamaica’s AI Task Force. Danielle is currently juggling these responsibilities while part-time pursuing her Masters of Science in Translational Health Sciences at Oxford University while also working with regional and international entities. 

In this episode, Danielle discusses

- her commitment to bringing young people together, listening to their experiences and ensuring that their voices are heard.
- leadership roles early in her school and university years.
- incorporating the viewpoints of others in the youth leadership and advocacy space.
- working to increase the number of young people  involved in decision-making forums.
- growing up in a loving and supportive family, and the important life lessons her family taught her.
- being encouraged to pursue roles of increasing scope and responsibilities as a university student, including running for Guild President, leading thousands of students and being the official representative to the university administration, as well as the regional university administration, representing 50,000 students across the Caribbean.
- the role of technology in effectively gathering and using data to understand and communicate the needs of students.
- how her experiences led her to become the host of a youth TV show in Jamaica, showcasing young people, their stories, and their accomplishments.
- the importance of individualized approaches to self-care.
- ways to deal with our own self-criticise.
- the importance of volunteerism and how it can lead to unexpected career opportunities.
- having the courage to apply for roles that may seem out of reach.
- how introducing herself to a Government Minister led to being invited to join Jamaica’s AI Task Force and another government committee.
- the power of a simple compliment in encouraging others, and the reminder to be more positive as we speak with people day-to-day.
- and her advice to young women (and us all) to “shoot for the stars” as we find our voice.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/23/danielle-mullings-jamaica/feed/ 0 66557 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/23/neha-mankani-midwifery-and-the-climate-crisis/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/23/neha-mankani-midwifery-and-the-climate-crisis/#respond Fri, 23 May 2025 11:35:50 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66577 Neha Mankani is a community midwife and global health practitioner from Pakistan with a strong focus on reproductive health and rights in crisis situations, emergency response and climate-affected communities. 

Neha is the Humanitarian and Climate Engagement Advisor at the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and the founder of the Mama Baby Fund; a financial emergency fund for maternal and neonatal healthcare in Pakistan. She has extensive experience in SRHR and maternal and neonatal health clinical practice, programming, and midwifery advocacy both at the local and global levels.

In this episode, Neha shares stories from her work with the coastal communities outside of Karachi, Pakistan and why she stared Mama Baby Fund. As a midwife with the ICM, Julia and Neha talk about how to build resilience in communities affected by the climate crisis and the critical role that midwives have.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/23/neha-mankani-midwifery-and-the-climate-crisis/feed/ 0 66577 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/09/susan-jeremy-usa/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/09/susan-jeremy-usa/#respond Fri, 09 May 2025 07:29:58 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66529 Susan Jeremy is a solo performer, stand-up, playwright and public school teacher in New York City.

As a performer, she keeps her audiences laughing with many characters, music, observations, and dry wit. She is the author of seven solo shows which she performs internationally. Susan’s works have been featured around the world at comedy festivals, including the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. She is the recipient of the Best Comedy and Best Production award at Montreal Fringe Festival along with Best touring show at Hamilton Fringe. 

In this episode, Susan discusses her seventh solo show, Robert Will Show You the Door (Tales of Being Fired), and how being fired from a series of jobs led her to becoming a special education teacher. She reveals that she is an undiagnosed person with dyslexia and how this affected what she thought was possible. She discusses how performing led her to find her confidence and overcome her learning disability.

When she started substitute teaching she used her daily experiences to write her first a solo show. She brought the show to Montreal and it was an instant hit, landing her a contract to tour the show nationally, only to have it cancelled when 9/11 happened. Susan took this as a sign that she was supposed to work with kids. When she was offered a full time teaching job, she took it, walked away from show business and went to grad school at night. A feat that she never saw was possible.

Susan learned that the way forward is to not listen to people who say “you can’t do this” and never to doubt yourself. The mere act of trying is brave and will lead you on a path to accomplish things.

As a breast cancer survivor, Susan discusses how facing a life challenging illness made her  even more determined to accomplish her goals. She used humor as a survival technique and inspired others who were going through treatment. This led her to teaching children who were in the hospital. Having already survived cancer, she knew that these kids wanted to have a normal school session and not be seen as patients. 

She wants our listeners to trust themselves if they are uncertain, and if you don’t know how to do something, just act as if you do and the confidence will lead you through. 

You can learn more about Susan Jeremy and find information about her upcoming performances, at https://www.susanjeremy.net/]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/09/susan-jeremy-usa/feed/ 0 66529 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/05/protecting-woman-centred-care-in-a-world-of-crises-why-midwives-must-be-at-the-centre/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/05/protecting-woman-centred-care-in-a-world-of-crises-why-midwives-must-be-at-the-centre/#respond Mon, 05 May 2025 09:15:42 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66531 After the initial shock of a crisis — whether caused by conflict, climate change or natural disasters — daily life continues to unfold. Yet even as communities face devastation, life goes on. Pregnancies continue, and women and gender diverse people go into labour and give birth. A moment that should be joyful and safe turns frightening and uncertain, as giving birth becomes far more dangerous and unpredictable. More than half of maternal deaths worldwide occur in fragile and crisis-affected settings, making clear just how deadly these situations can be. 

At the same time, needs rise sharply. The demand for contraception, comprehensive abortion care and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increases, while access to these services often becomes limited or disappears entirely. Menstrual hygiene becomes harder to manage as products and safe facilities, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, become scarce. Unintended pregnancies and STIs increase due to the lack of barrier methods and heightened risk of sexual violence.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/05/05/protecting-woman-centred-care-in-a-world-of-crises-why-midwives-must-be-at-the-centre/feed/ 0 66531