https://www.girlsglobe.org Gender equality, human rights and social justice. Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:27:23 +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/2025/06/11/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/2025/04/02/from-streets-to-classrooms-in-afghanistan-alis-story/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/04/02/from-streets-to-classrooms-in-afghanistan-alis-story/#respond Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:47:22 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66472 Ali was only 4 years old when his drug-addicted father left the family. His mother took his sister and disappeared shortly after. Ali was left with his grandmother who washes clothes at peoples homes in order to pay the bills, and his aunt, who begs for bread next to a bakery every day. When we found Ali, he had been selling chewing gum on the streets to earn 30 AFS ($0.34) a day to contribute to family food. 

"Since Ali doesn't have parents anymore," shared his grandmother, "I worried about his future and thought he would become like his father. Now that he is going to school, I am relieved and have much hope for him."]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/04/02/from-streets-to-classrooms-in-afghanistan-alis-story/feed/ 0 66472 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/03/18/asad-dhunna-diversity-equity-inclusion-in-2025/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/03/18/asad-dhunna-diversity-equity-inclusion-in-2025/#respond Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:00:45 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66452 What are the impacts of the Trump administration's attack on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion)? And can consumers really make a difference through boycotts? Is DEI the new woke? Is solidarity political? These are just some of the questions that are discussed in this episode of the Hey Changemaker! Podcast. 

Asad Dhunna is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of The Unmistakables, an award-winning and B Corp certified consultancy that builds cultural confidence and relevance for some of the world’s most well known brands and businesses.

Asad and Julia speak about diversity, equity and inclusion and its status and role in 2025. They discuss what Trump's attack on DEI means for organizations, companies and individuals - not only in the US, but also in Europe and the rest of the world. Asad shares how The Unmistakables do their work and how their Inside Out Inclusion model works. Asad shares his insights and opinions on the boycott and on citizens ability to keep pushing for policies that are grounded in diversity, equity and inclusion.

This episode also digs into the language we use when talking about diversity, equity and inclusion. Asad and Julia discuss things like “economic growth” as an indicator for success, and about the connotations of the word "solidarity". 

Asad Dhunna shares his own story that brought him to working with DEI and founding The Unmistakables.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/03/18/asad-dhunna-diversity-equity-inclusion-in-2025/feed/ 0 66452 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/03/06/1-in-4-countries-worldwide-face-backlash-on-womens-rights-new-un-women-report-shows/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/03/06/1-in-4-countries-worldwide-face-backlash-on-womens-rights-new-un-women-report-shows/#respond Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:20:57 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66392 Ahead of the 50th official UN International Women's Day this year, UN Women reports that one in four countries face backlash on women's rights. Gender equality and the rights of women and girls are facing growing threats at unprecedented levels.

In a world where we're seeing the rise of authoritarianism, the power of big tech and AI, we're also witnessing the simultaneous rise of threats against women's and girls' rights.

These threats include higher levels of discrimination, weaker legal protections, less funding for programs and institutions that support and protect women. Global crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate emergency, conflicts and soaring prices, make the urgency to respond to these threats even greater.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/03/06/1-in-4-countries-worldwide-face-backlash-on-womens-rights-new-un-women-report-shows/feed/ 0 66392 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/02/13/giovanna-lauro-masculinity-power-and-equality/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/02/13/giovanna-lauro-masculinity-power-and-equality/#respond Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:30:29 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66343 Giovanna Lauro is the Deputy CEO of Equimundo. She has over two decades of experience working to advance gender equality and prevent gender-based violence. Her work centers on reshaping gender norms, particularly by challenging harmful notions of masculinity.

In this episode, Giovanna shares her own journey as a feminist activist, coming from quite a conservative and patriarchal society in Italy. Julia speaks to her about how much the world has changed since she began her career and about the important work of reframing masculinity and gender norms.

They discuss what a Trump Presidency will mean for gender equality and the impact on young men. They talk about big tech and the "macho-broligarchs" - and what we can all do to help shift the narratives around masculinity.

Giovanna shares her advice for young activists and seasoned ones too. 

This is an episode to help make sense of what we're witnessing in the world today, and the power structures at play. ]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/02/13/giovanna-lauro-masculinity-power-and-equality/feed/ 0 66343 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/11/11/what-does-a-trump-presidency-mean-for-global-reproductive-rights/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/11/11/what-does-a-trump-presidency-mean-for-global-reproductive-rights/#respond Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:37:11 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66242 Donald Trump has now officially secured a second term as president of the United States. Many are still reeling from the news that a convicted felon and sexual abuser has been voted into the most powerful position in the country. And the US’ hold on global politics and media means that those of us outside of the country also feel the impact. 

As advocates for reproductive justice, we already know the damage that has and can be done by Trump. The Guttmacher Institute pulls no punches in stating that his election to president will “decimate” sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). 

The impact on US healthcare is being well-documented, but as a global fund dedicated to abortion, we want to look at the worldwide repercussions of a second Trump term.

We’re proud to be able to continue funding safe abortion work. 

Yesterday, we officially announced a new global funding call for organisations working to improve access to abortion. We are now offering grants to those in low- and middle-income countries – a total of 140 countries are eligible to apply.  

In the next few years, we are able to commit $18.5 million to abortion work. It is by no means enough to fix the funding crisis, but it goes a small way towards connecting and resourcing a powerful global movement of activists. 

As a global fund solely dedicated to safe abortion, we’re here to proudly support those fighting for a better world.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/11/11/what-does-a-trump-presidency-mean-for-global-reproductive-rights/feed/ 0 66242 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/10/23/beth-woroniuk-feminist-led-change-in-a-turbulent-world/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/10/23/beth-woroniuk-feminist-led-change-in-a-turbulent-world/#respond Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:14:49 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66217&preview=true&preview_id=66217 Beth Woroniuk is currently a Senior Fellow with the Feminist Foreign Policy Collaborative.

Until earlier this year, she was the Vice-President, Policy at the Equality Fund. Beth has worked to advance gender justice and feminist approaches to policymaking for over 35 years. She has advised and worked with bilateral aid agencies, women’s funds, UN entities, international NGOs and feminist organizations, strengthening their work on gender equality and women’s rights in numerous contexts and countries.

In this episode Beth shares her own stories, perspectives and reasons for hope in a turbulent world. 

Julia and Beth talk about resilience as feminist changemakers and the multiple crises that we’re facing in the world. Beth gives us insights into the challenges, and the wins, that we’re seeing as a global feminist movement. She shares amazing advice for young women who are moving into the feminist advocacy space today.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/10/23/beth-woroniuk-feminist-led-change-in-a-turbulent-world/feed/ 0 66217 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/10/18/hassina-sherjan-a-legacy-for-education-in-afghanistan/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/10/18/hassina-sherjan-a-legacy-for-education-in-afghanistan/#comments Fri, 18 Oct 2024 07:19:00 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66213&preview=true&preview_id=66213 Hassina Sherjan shares her own story of coming back to Afghanistan 19 years after leaving the country at the age of 19.

She tells us about how she build Aid Afghanistan for Education and the impact the organization has had. Hassina speaks about the shock and aftermath of the Taliban takeover in 2021 and how her work for education in Afghanistan continues in a different form.

Hassina Sherjan is the Founder and CEO of Aid Afghanistan For Education. ]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/10/18/hassina-sherjan-a-legacy-for-education-in-afghanistan/feed/ 1 66213 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/10/11/3-ways-to-support-girls-education-in-afghanistan/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/10/11/3-ways-to-support-girls-education-in-afghanistan/#respond Fri, 11 Oct 2024 11:46:04 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66182&preview=true&preview_id=66182 Education is a powerful tool for transforming lives, especially for Afghan women and girls who have faced tremendous challenges. For many, education has become the key to unlocking their potential and breaking cycles of poverty.

As one Afghan student shared, "Education is our weapon against oppression. It opens doors to opportunities that we never thought were possible."

On this International Day of the Girl, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and pride of girls in Afghanistan—today and every day.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/10/11/3-ways-to-support-girls-education-in-afghanistan/feed/ 0 66182 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/08/23/melinda-french-gates-takes-sides-i-respond/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/08/23/melinda-french-gates-takes-sides-i-respond/#respond Fri, 23 Aug 2024 07:22:48 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66071&preview=true&preview_id=66071 "Melinda French Gates is setting her own agenda. And I, as a woman leading a community of women philanthropists, am deeply inspired and energized.

Since transitioning from the Gates Foundation, Melinda has publicly stepped into her own power in new ways, challenging the many false binaries in philanthropy. It feels more uncensored than ever before, and it gives me hope: if Melinda – one of the world's biggest philanthropists – can refresh her own philanthropic giving and perspective, women philanthropists everywhere can do the same."

Darley Tom is the Co-Lead of Maverick Collective by PSI]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2024/08/23/melinda-french-gates-takes-sides-i-respond/feed/ 0 66071