Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025
Women as… Leaders
Sujata is one of few female Sarpanchs (village head) in rural India. She leads her local Gram Kachahari (village-level court), addressing minor offenses and disputes in the community, including reports of domestic violence.
Since stepping into her leadership role, more women in her community have come forward for support, “In the past, they kept their struggles to themselves,” she says, “but now they feel empowered, thinking ‘If a women Sarpanch is standing up for us, why shouldn’t I seek help?’”
Meet Sujata and hear her story below.
Women as… Educators
Teacher Joy Hajilo is transforming her classroom in Lamu, Kenya, where learning goes beyond traditional methods. Using simple, yet creative tools like windmills and sorting frames, she is creating an environment where students are both motivated and excited to learn.
Through her approach, Joy builds more than knowledge—she’s building confidence, creativity, and connections.
Women as… Providers
Mushira is a mother and farmer from Tal-Toot, Syria. She manages a thriving farm with Awassi sheep, pigeons, and a growing fishpond. Recently, she has introduced drought-resistant cactus into her farming practices, reducing livestock feed costs and improving her family’s nutrition.
She has been sharing her knowledge with neighbours, encouraging them to adopt similar sustainable practices so that they can support their families as she does.
Women as… Artisans
In Madagascar, Lalao has found a new path to financial independence through the art of raffia weaving. The skill provides her with a steady income and a newfound sense of confidence—she crafts beautiful, sustainable raffia products amongst a supportive community of women.
Lalao dreams of a brighter future for her daughters, where education and a secure home are within reach. “I can now envision a future where my daughters can pursue higher education,” says Lalao.
Women as… Caregivers
Early childhood is a critical period that shapes lifelong learning, health, and wellbeing—and women are often at the heart of this process.
Across Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme has established 224 early childhood development centres and trained 735 teachers and 4,284 parents to support these learning environments and nurture children’s holistic development.
Women as… Climate champions
Anabela Sumaila is leading the charge in her community to restore vital mangrove forests. Through her work as a beekeeper in the mangroves of Ilha de Moçambique, Anabela and other women are not only producing honey but also protecting coastlines from the impacts of climate change.
Women as… Producers
In GBAO, Tajikistan, women are harnessing the region’s rich tradition of cashmere production to drive economic growth. At Pamir Cashmere, women are at the forefront of production, supporting their families and contributing to sustainable development in their community.
Currently, 9 of the 17 permanent jobs at the facility are held by women, with plans to expand women’s employment in the future.
Women as… Changemakers
As a refugee from South Sudan, Esther is making a difference in her new home of West Nile, Uganda. At her school, hunger is a major obstacle to learning—so Esther and her peers planted a garden, with Esther as the team leader.
The garden crops are used to make school lunches and sold to offset school fees, and the students get hands-on experience learning about agriculture and climate.
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