Tagged: International Women’s Day

Young school girls conducting a science experiment.

Helping girls aspire for more

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About two years ago, I was meeting a group of adolescent girls and boys in Aravan, a rural area in the southern part of Kyrgyzstan, to talk about their lives, their plans and visions for the future. Something that struck me was that girls were very keen on continuing education, learning new skills and building a professional career. They… Read more →←
A handheld device displaying an app with the title 'Menstruation'

The birds, the bees, and now ‘Shnet’!

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Story also available in: 中文
Sex is an important part of people’s lives, but it is somehow shrouded in secrecy, mystery and shame – which lead not only to misconceptions and myths, but also diseases and unintended pregnancies. Growing up as a child, I was luckily raised to talk openly about what changes I would experience during adolescence. I was ready when I… Read more →←
A girl stands next to a cardboard cutout of a woman with a portrait stuck to it.

“I choose education, not marriage”

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Story also available in: العربية
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Balance for Better”. UNICEF spoke to Kaiy Abdalstar, an Iraqi lawyer and activist working to improve the rights of girls and women in Iraq. “When I was 12 years old, my father told me I could no longer go to school. I remember being scared and sad on that day,” said Kaiy… Read more →←
Closeup of women gesticulating with her hands

In Argentina: A lifetime fighting violence against women

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Story also available in: Español
I was born in 1929 in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. When I went to Buenos Aires University to study Social Service, my family was disappointed. They thought I should become a lawyer or a doctor. By the time I graduated, I was working at the Children’s Hospital. I got married, separated very early and started working in the… Read more →←
Woman stands smiling and in conversation with a group of smiling men

In war-torn South Sudan, a voice of peace

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Mary Boyoi is the executive director and founder of Voice of the Peace (VOP) in South Sudan. VOP is a national NGO that provides psychosocial support and referral pathways for medical care to survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). They largely focus on community awareness by reaching out to various groups in the community. VOP has… Read more →←
Woman with headscarf in Afghnaistan, looking down and reading with some women looking on behind her

Waiting for Afghanistan’s #MeToo moment

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I started my journey for women’s rights when I was in the 8th grade. Even back then people questioned my work when I encouraged my fellow girls to continue with their education. At the time most girls in Afghanistan were not allowed to study beyond grade six. Some people looked with disdain at me and my family, they hurled abuse at us.… Read more →←
Lady in saree holding a microphone addresses a seated audience in India

Protection for child abuse victims in India

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Every day is different. My work with ENFOLD, an NGO that supports victims of child sexual abuse in India, ensures that I don’t have a typical day: there are no weekdays or weekends as cases get reported every day. Either our office receives the information or I get calls directly from different sources including the police, Child… Read more →←
A group of five smiling school girls standing close to one another in front of a green school wall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

School girls and gender rights in Ethiopia

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I joined the gender club at my school in Ethiopia over a year ago, because I knew girls who were victims of sexual abuse, including my friends and relatives. I wanted to do my part to help prevent this problem. The clubs were created to help such girls and support them as they rejoin their communities. The clubs also help educate other… Read more →←
A yound girl stands in front of a wall, her face turned away from us.

5 ways you can help end violence against girls

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Story also available in: Español Français 中文
When you hear “violence against girls,” what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the most recent kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls by Boko Haram militants and the likelihood that they will be forced to marry their captors just like previous victims were. Or maybe it’s the 120 million girls from every corner of the world who have… Read more →←
A group of people in an office with pink balloons.

Behold, behold and “Be bold for change”

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Today is World Poetry Day – in the Field Office in Madhya Pradesh, India, our Chief in the office is Michael Juma. As well as working for UNICEF, he is also a poet and he wrote these lines for International #WomensDay Please read and join us in celebration of World Poetry Day.   Great people of the world, Men and Women, time… Read more →←

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