https://www.girlsglobe.org Gender equality, human rights and social justice. Thu, 12 Jun 2025 07:04:53 +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/2025/06/13/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/2025/06/06/alison-arngrim-usa/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/06/alison-arngrim-usa/#respond Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:30:37 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66578 Alison Arngrim is an American actress, author, philanthropist, and advocate for the protection of children from abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

At five years old, Alison began her television career and is best known for her portrayal of Nellie Olsen on the NBC television series, "Little House on the Prairie."  

In this episode, Alison discusses

- her experiences of being a child actor and growing up in a family where working in show business was the norm,
- having a slow-down in bookings at eleven years old, prompting her father to tell her that her acting career might be over,
- at twelve years old, being cast as Nellie Olsen in "Little House on the Prairie",
- after years of being famous, doing shows and personal appearances, finding ways to schedule downtime and relax,
- how stardom affects people’s expectations of her in social gatherings,
- beginning her comedy career at fifteen years old, at the height of her popularity on Little House on the Prairie, by writing a comedy act with a group called The Village Idiots and performing in Los Angeles clubs and coffee houses four nights a week,
- beginning to her philanthropic work at twelve years old then, in the 1980s, when the actor Steve Trace went public with his AIDS diagnosis, volunteering to support the AIDS Project Los Angeles,
- in the early 2000s, becoming involved with a newly formed The National Association to Protect Children (protect.org), working with Congress and many States to enact legislation to rescue children, combat child exploitation and human trafficking, support cutting-edge technology, and increase government accountability and transparency,
- going public with her own abuse as a child,
- now serving as President of The Board of Directors of The National Association to Protect Children,
- and encouraging us all to use our strengths and our weaknesses.]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/06/06/alison-arngrim-usa/feed/ 0 66578 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/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/2025/05/05/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 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/04/15/how-youth-voices-are-stirring-change-in-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/04/15/how-youth-voices-are-stirring-change-in-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights/#comments Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:54:22 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66506 "Hi, I’m Azra—host, producer, and someone who genuinely believes that when young people speak up, the world shifts. I’m also a youth advocate with IPD (Member Association of IPPF EN) from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the current Chair of the YSAFE Steering Committee. In this article I want to share the experience of producing a youth-led podcast on sex positivity, gender equality and SRHR. The podcast’s title is Sex Positivitea with YSAFE.

Sex Positivitea started as a small idea and quickly became one of the most powerful projects I’ve ever had the privilege to lead. I remember nervously recording our first episode, unsure if anyone would listen. Fast forward to now—season four—and I’m still amazed by the conversations we’re having and the connections we’re making.

This podcast is a love letter to every young person who’s ever felt left out of the conversation about their own body, identity, or rights."]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/04/15/how-youth-voices-are-stirring-change-in-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights/feed/ 1 66506 https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/03/31/dr-patty-johnson-usa/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/03/31/dr-patty-johnson-usa/#respond Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:15:20 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66478 Dr. Patty Johnson is a writer and psychologist who believes in healing through stories.

She is currently working on a memoir and has 2 published books—Essays of Night and Daylight and Breathe & Release: A 12 Month Journal for Healing from Anxiety.

In this episode, Dr. Johnson discusses:

- what sparked her interest in becoming a psychologist…
- being guided by behavioral medicine, a model of integrating both the physiological and the psychological…
- how important listening to people's stories has been in her life…
- being born in America to immigrant parents, and cultural differences that she and her family navigated…
- behavioral medicine, a model of integrating the physiological and the psychological…
- exploring how the mind and body work together...
- generational trauma…
- immigrant trauma…
- the beauty and complexity of growing up in two cultures…
- the importance of helping people align their physical symptoms with what is happening in their life or with what they have been thinking about…
- her love of writing and how, as an adolescent, writing helped her process feelings she was unable to discuss…
- the healing power of stories…
- our experience of seeing ourselves differently from how others see us…
- meditating on the power, strength, and ability we have to do things that we were told we could not do…
- the importance of realizing that it doesn't matter what other people say about us if we know who we are…
- and these inspiring words, “There's so much strength in fighting to be who we are.”]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/03/31/dr-patty-johnson-usa/feed/ 0 66478 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/2025/01/10/pooja-priyamvada-india/ https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/01/10/pooja-priyamvada-india/#respond Fri, 10 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.girlsglobe.org/?p=66291 Pooja Priyamvada is a higher education educator in various fields, including media, literature, mental health and theater.

Pooja holds a background in media. She is an author, a translator and, more recently, an entrepreneur. Pooja likes to say that she is also a full-time parent. 

In this episode, Pooja discusses
- her reasons to begin writing about mental health after experiencing postpartum depression about 16 years ago…
- her prior interest in mental illnesses and mental health…
- the stigma and taboo one faces in discussing depression, and the challenges at the time, of finding psychiatrists and psychologists in Delhi…
- beginning to educate herself about mental health support and training to become a counselor…
- the broad misunderstanding of mental health…
- the dismissal and resistance someone faces when speaking about their mental health experiences…
- cultural norms that expect women “to  stay within the margins that are defined for us”  and to not speak out…. 
- the books she has written and translated…
- writing newspaper columns and appearing on radio shows…
- being labeled a mental health activist despite her diverse roles and areas of expertise…
- her experiences with the cultural expectations related to death and grieving…
- her role as a grief counsellor…
- the various forms of grief….
- intersectional feminism…
- the importance of women lending support to each other and building each other up…
- the power of sisterhood, of community, and of our collective voice…
- and the reminder that “You are the most important person in your life."]]> https://www.girlsglobe.org/2025/01/10/pooja-priyamvada-india/feed/ 0 66291