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Aisha*, a 17-year-old from Khartoum, faced unimaginable hardship after losing both her parents last year. Isolated and unable to contact relatives due to the escalating conflict, her neighborhood was overtaken by an armed militia, effectively trapping her in her home. In the beginning, Aisha ventured out only for essential supplies. Although initially left unharmed by the soldiers, her situation deteriorated when two soldiers intruded her home, interrogating and then leaving her in fear. However, they returned, armed and intent on assault. Aisha endured repeated assaults over four days before escaping to a friend’s house in Kassala State. In Kassala, Aisha discovered she was pregnant. Rejected by her friend’s family, she faced isolation and despair. An attempted suicide underscored her desperation until a family directed her to a safe space for women and girls supported by . Here, she received medical attention, counseling, and temporary shelter. Despite finding immediate help, her future remains uncertain as her due date approaches.

In Uganda, amidst the challenges of refugee life, women like Grace Poni, Annet Luka, and Veronica Konga have defied stereotypes and built brighter futures. Grace's determination as a skilled bricklayer has not only provided financial stability for her family in Imvempi Refugee Settlement but has also enabled her to construct her own home. Annet's resilience as the only female carpenter in Omugo II settlement showcases her commitment to challenging gender norms while envisioning a future where she mentors other women in carpentry. Meanwhile, Veronica's journey from subsistence farming to metal fabrication highlights her entrepreneurial spirit, aiming to establish her own business despite the obstacles of limited resources. These women exemplify the transformative impact of vocational training and empowerment programs, not only on their own lives but also on the communities that host them in Uganda.

Women bring immense benefits to diplomacy. Their leadership styles, expertise and priorities broaden the scope of issues under consideration and the quality of outcomes. From peace and security to economic and social development, women's contributions are integral to achieving lasting results. Historically, diplomacy was male-dominated, but women have quietly played a critical role for centuries. The International Day of Women in Diplomacy, 24 June, is dedicated to celebrating the important contributions that women make to diplomacy and to increasing their representation in this field.

El Salvador is a particularly dangerous place to be a woman. The Latin American country has a high rate of gender-based violence with an average of 23,398 cases reported annually between 2019 and 2022. The is working with the to prevent gender-based violence and support survivors in El Salvador. One program, Women at the Centre, trains social workers to recognize and support women and girls at risk of violence. This initiative is crucial, especially considering the stories of families who have lost loved ones to femicide in El Salvador. Here, they share their stories, along with one brave survivor whose life will never be the same.

Blessing Andrew is a veterinary animal health worker in Nigeria and the sole practicing female veterinary paraprofessional (VPP) in Sanga, southern Kaduna State. Despite challenges such as questioning her competence and being paid less than her male counterparts, she was motivated to continue her career after receiving training from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () and Ahmadu Bello University’s College of Agriculture and Animal Science. The training focused on reaching women and promoting gender-responsive approaches to animal health.

“2.6 billion people don't have access to the internet … if you're not part of the digital revolution, you're not going to be part of the AI revolution – we’ve got to close that gap.”

Doreen Bogdan-Martin’s fascinating career handed her a front row seat for the digital revolution. Now Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), she’s among those leading global efforts to set guardrails on the use of Artificial Intelligence.

“I think we've never seen anything like this before … the plane is in flight and we're building it while we're flying - it's tremendous.”

AI presents huge opportunities for humanity, but also poses great risks. In this episode, Doreen Bogdan-Martin reflects on working to ensure the humane and sustainable use of AI, on connecting the billions around the world who are not yet online, and on juggling a career with four children.

Photo: ©ITU/D.Woldu

In Artibonite, Haiti, a shelter provides crucial support and sanctuary for survivors of gender-based violence, led by dedicated volunteers and bolstered by initiatives like 's rehabilitation efforts.

Amid a global backlash against women’s rights, women are committed to championing rights and representation. Survey results from 185 countries show that 86 per cent cite climate change, and more than 50 per cent identify conflict as primary concerns for the next decade.

Menstrual health and hygiene are vital to the well-being and empowerment of women and adolescent girls. However, hundreds of millions of individuals lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual health. Under the theme "Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld," this year's (28 May) urges the international community to prioritize menstrual health in both global and national health and development policies with investment reflecting the important role it plays in human rights, public health, gender equality and sustainable development.

The world has a gender equality problem, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) mirrors the gender bias in our society. Although globally more women are accessing the internet every year. The gender digital divide creates a data gap that is reflected in the gender bias in AI. Who creates AI and what biases are built into AI data (or not), can perpetuate, widen, or reduce gender equality gaps. Removing gender bias in AI starts with prioritizing gender equality as a goal, as AI systems are conceptualized and built. The AI field needs more women, and that requires enabling and increasing girls’ and women’s access to and leadership in STEM and ICT education and careers. Here, young women participants work together on a laptop at during an African Girls Can Code Initiative's coding bootcamp held at the GIZ Digital Transformation Center in Kigali, Rwanda in April 2024.

Hasina's inspirational journey showcases the resilience and potential of Afghan women in ICT, highlighting the transformative power of education and technology.

Why do and the humanitarian workers we support continue to help the seemingly endless number of women and girls in need? Because we care, and we know you do too.

Learn more about to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. 

At the 1994 , world leaders recognized that sustainable development requires prioritizing human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, and empowering women and girls. While progress has been made, it has not been equal for everyone, and crises like climate change and war threaten to roll back advances. 30 years later, 47 UN Member States are meeting to assess progress and commit to closing gaps and ensuring rights and choices for all.

In Ethiopia's Somali Region, women are not only building businesses but also resilience against climate change through empowerment initiatives that provide training, access to markets, and financial services.

Despite women now constituting 40% of high-skill occupations worldwide, their involvement in ICT-related fields remains disproportionately low. This year's celebrations emphasize the crucial necessity for influential female role models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The 2024 event, under the theme of "Leadership," highlights the importance of exposing girls and young women to leadership roles in STEM, aiming to inspire them and dismantle barriers that impede their advancement. Let's support #GirlsinICTday!