💭 Are women less capable or interested in science and technology? In reality, it’s not a lack of interest - it’s the social, cultural, and institutional barriers that keep women underrepresented in STEM. Under the Right Here Right Now (RHRN) – Bangladesh Platform, Youth Policy Forum (YPF) launched its Mythbuster Series, exploring misconceptions through storytelling and advocacy led by young voices. The fourth and final episode, written by RHRN Youth Ambassador Sirazum Munira Raiyan, unpacks the myth “Women are not interested in STEM” and why breaking it matters for equality and sustainable development. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gMd6V2ad #RHRN #YPF #WomenInSTEM #GenderEquality #MythbusterSeries #YouthAdvocacy

Girls are not just the future. They are the present. Yet across Africa, millions of girls grow into womanhood without access to the economic opportunities, skills, and networks they need to thrive. According to the World Bank, closing the gender gap in the workforce could boost global GDP by over $160 trillion. At BusinessDay Foundation, we are committed to changing this by creating pathways that connect girls and young women to skills, visibility, and enterprise opportunities; unlocking their potential as innovators, leaders, and wealth creators. Because when girls rise, economies do too. #BusinessDayFoundation #internationaldayofthegirl #internationaldayofthegirlchild

Bangladeshi Muslim feminist, writer, and social reformer Begum Rokeya penned Sultana's Dream in 1905. The story of the feminist utopian under the brilliantly sardonic masterwork Sultana's Dream, women are portrayed as working and earning while men are under purdah. Women were not allowed to pursue education in Bangladesh during Begum Rokeya's time. In order to get an education in her own home, she herself went through challenges. She transformed the dream of a reversible social order for women into the Sultana's dream by defying this strict veil tradition. Despite significant changes over the past 120 years, women continue to be underrepresented in the fields of education, skill development, and employment. In this backdrop from October 6–7, 2025, HERizon Fest 2025: Celebrating Women, Skills & Employment was hosted by Bangladesh’s National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) with technical support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Nearly 500 people attended this Fest, including representatives from the Chief Adviser's Office, ministries, development partners, Skills Training Providers (STP) representatives, academia, industry and private sector skills council leaders, civil society, women's networks, youth groups, and print and electronic media. Two advisers (Ministers), More than 100 senior bureaucrats including six secretaries, and the Federal Republic of Germany's ambassador to Bangladesh, H.E. Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, delivered motivational speech. International experts from Nepal, the United States, Austria, and Germany and dozens of national experts joined in to exchange global and national perspectives on inclusive vocational education and future skills for women. These insights informed NSDA's strategy to increase the labor market participation of young, vulnerable, and disadvantaged women. The event highlighted discussions on a women-friendly and inclusive approach to skills development in Bangladesh. Through various panel discussions, workshops, and cultural programs, the event showcased women’s leadership, skill enhancement, and opportunities for inclusive employment. By bringing together public and private partners around a table to discuss challenges connected to expanding women's participation in all skill development activities/ settings and their equitable access to the job market, this event has created huge momentum, opened everyone's eyes and created storms in minds. For many days to come, this storm will drive the turbine wheels and supply energy for women's growth and autonomy. The country will make significant progress in empowering women. #HERizonFest

EMPOWERING FEMALE YOUTH ACROSS PUNJAB Women Development Department (WDD), Government of Punjab, organized an engaging Awareness Session on “Skills Development through Ambassador Program for Female University Students Across Punjab” and “Entrepreneurial Female Youth Pitch Competition” on 11 September 2025 in collaboration with Lahore Leads University, Lahore. The session aimed to create awareness among female students about provincial opportunities in skill development and entrepreneurship, enabling them to actively participate in Punjab’s journey toward inclusive growth and women-led innovation. Representatives from Women Development Department including Mr. Faheem Akhtar - Manager (Projects/Initiatives), SPIU and Mr. Mazhar Ali - Gender Monitoring Specialist (GMS), WDD shared insights on WDD’s ongoing initiatives under the Annual Development Program 2025-26 focused on women’s empowerment, capacity building, and youth engagement. In her closing remarks, Dr. Ammara, Focal Person, Lahore Leads University, Lahore praised the Women Development Department efforts for launching such progressive and inclusive initiatives that aim to empower university female students across Punjab. She emphasized the importance of such programs in nurturing future women leaders and promoting a culture of innovation and equality in higher education institutions. The session concluded with an interactive discussion and a group photograph, marking an inspiring and forward-looking engagement for young women leaders of Punjab.

Building the Blueprint for Equity UN Women India has launched a new think tank for women’s equity, a powerful step toward making inclusion measurable, actionable, and scalable. The initiative will focus on driving research, policy, and collaboration across sectors to reduce gender gaps and strengthen women’s roles in India’s economic and social fabric. For India’s women entrepreneurs, professionals, and change makers, this is more than policy, it’s infrastructure for equality. When data meets design, and collaboration meets conviction, progress isn’t a dream, it becomes a framework. At RizingHer, we believe equity doesn’t emerge from intention alone; it’s built through systems that see, support, and scale women’s potential. #WomensEquity #GenderInclusion #UNWomenIndia #RizingHer #WomenInPolicy #EquityInAction #InclusiveGrowth #WomenLeadership

Our partnership with Together Women Rise is one that seeks to empower young women in Turkana, Kenya with certified digital literacy and STEM skills that open doors to male-dominated fields while rewriting societal expectations. This speaks directly to our mission of transforming the lives of women and youth through education, equipping them with the confidence, skills, and opportunities to shape their own futures and their communities. Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/dffgnqEz #AsanteAfrica #TogetherWomenRise #GirlsInSTEM #WomenEmpowerment #EducationForAll

Excited to announce that I've just wrapped up a transformative 3-week Capacity Building Training Workshop on Gender Transformative Programming. This experience has equipped me with essential tools to drive more equitable and impactful initiatives in my work and beyond. Here's a snapshot of the key insights I gained: 1. Gender Analysis: Deep dives into examining women's and men's access to and control over resources, uncovering hidden disparities. 2. Gender Inclusivity: Strategies for ensuring men and women are equally valued and integrated as key players in all projects. 3. Gender Balance: Achieving equitable representation of women and men across all organizational levels to foster diverse perspectives. 4. Gender Responsive Programming: Tailoring programs to address the unique roles, relations, needs, and interests of women, men, girls, and boys -meeting immediate needs while advancing equal rights, opportunities, and outcomes. 5. Gender Transformative Approaches: Bold efforts to challenge and shift harmful gender and social norms, tackling inequalities at their root. 6. M&E for Gender Transformative Programming: Practical methods to monitor progress, measure outcomes, and evaluate impact, ensuring programs dynamically respond to evolving gender realities. I look forward to putting this knowledge into action in my dedication to champion for women empowerment in digital skills and apply responsive M&E frameworks to track how our initiatives empower underrepresented groups in Kenya’s digital economy. Grateful to the APHRC for this opportunity to grow and contribute to positive change. #GenderEquality #ProfessionalDevelopment #AjiraDigital #TransformativeLeadership

🌍 10 Powerful Wins for Women in 2025 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for women — in education, leadership, and influence across every sector. Here are some of the biggest wins worth celebrating 👇 1️⃣ Girls are outperforming globally in education. In most regions, girls now score higher in reading, writing, and even science. In two-thirds of countries, more girls than boys complete secondary school. 2️⃣ Record-breaking women in politics. More women than ever are running for office, with historic numbers of candidates across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Youth-led feminist movements are driving this change. 3️⃣ Women are leading the climate fight. The 2025 UN Climate Council is now 50% women-led — the highest in history. Indigenous women are being recognised as global climate defenders. 4️⃣ STEM education for girls is rising fast. Enrollment in tech bootcamps, engineering schools, and coding camps has nearly doubled since 2020. Countries like India, Brazil, and Kenya are leading the shift. 5️⃣ Global female literacy just hit 91%. A massive leap from just 63% in the 1970s. Today, young women (15–24) are more literate than men in many countries. 6️⃣ Legal protections are expanding. Over 50 countries have passed new laws in 2024–2025 to protect women from violence, harassment, and economic discrimination. 7️⃣ Maternal mortality dropped by 35% in a decade. Thanks to improved healthcare, education, and community-led initiatives, more births are now attended by skilled health workers. 8️⃣ Social media is amplifying women’s voices. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are powering women-led movements, changing laws, exposing abuse, and building global communities. 9️⃣ Women are dominating entrepreneurship growth. In Africa, women own nearly 60% of small businesses, and globally, women-led startups are growing faster than men’s. 🔟 Global sisterhood is stronger than ever. From Malala to Chimamanda to everyday women using their voices online, women are inspiring each other across borders like never before. 💬 Here’s to a world where progress isn’t just visible — it’s unstoppable. #WomenInLeadership #GenderEquality #Empowerment #STEM #WomenInBusiness #ClimateAction #EducationForAll

WOMEN EMPOWEREMENT: BUILDING A FUTURE OF EQUALITY Women have always been the backbone of society, yet millions across India are denied opportunities for education, employment, and independence. Gender inequality continues to hold many women back from realizing their full potential. Recognizing this, Hamari Pahchan NGO, widely recognized as the best NGO in Delhi, has made women empowerment one of its strongest missions. Why Women Empowerment Matters When women are empowered, families thrive, and communities grow stronger. Providing women with access to education, vocational training, and financial independence ensures that they are no longer confined by societal limitations. This not only improves their own lives but also has a ripple effect, uplifting children, families, and the wider community. Hamari Pahchan NGO’s Initiatives Hamari Pahchan has launched several impactful programs aimed at empowering women, from teaching tailoring and handicraft skills to organizing workshops on digital literacy and financial awareness. These initiatives give women the tools to become self-reliant and confident in their abilities.The NGO also works tirelessly to raise awareness on issues such as domestic violence, menstrual hygiene, and workplace equality, providing safe spaces where women can learn, heal, and grow. Through these efforts, Hamari Pahchan continues to stand as a pillar of support for underprivileged women across India. Success Stories That Inspire Over the years, many women have transformed their lives through these programs. For example, women who once struggled to provide daily meals are now running small businesses, earning sustainable incomes, and even employing others in their community. These stories highlight how the right opportunities and support can turn struggles into success. How You Can Contribute Every individual can play a role in empowering women. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, your involvement can strengthen these initiatives. Supporting Hamari Pahchan creates more social work opportunities in India while also ensuring that women gain the recognition and respect they deserve. Final Thoughts Empowering women is not just about changing individual lives, it’s about reshaping society as a whole. By supporting Hamari Pahchan NGO, you are contributing to a movement that builds equality, dignity, and opportunity for women everywhere. Together, we can ensure that empowerment is not a privilege but a right for every woman. #womenempowerment #women #equality

Empowering Women in Jambudweep Bharat Khande: A Brief Overview In the cultural expanse of Jambudweep Bharat Khande, women's empowerment is advancing through education, financial inclusion, and civic participation—despite enduring patriarchal barriers. Government initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, the Equal Remuneration Act, and self-help groups are driving change. Globally, India's leadership in G20 EMPOWER reflects its commitment to women's economic progress. 📊 Key Indicators of Progress: Bank Account Ownership: 39.2% of all accounts held by women; rural share at 42.2%. Labour Force Participation: Rose to 60.1% in 2023–24 from 49.8% in 2017–18. Secondary School Enrollment (Girls): Increased to 78% in 2023–24. Maternal Mortality Rate: Dropped to 97 per lakh live births (2018–20). Women-led Startups: Grew from 1,943 (2017) to 17,405 (2024). Voter Turnout (2024): Women outnumbered men in participation. Yet, challenges like illiteracy, safety concerns, and socio-cultural resistance persist. True gender equality demands sustained legal, institutional, and societal commitment. 🙏