Esther Janine Zehntner, a native of Switzerland, living in Basel, joined the YWCA movement as a young girl around 70 years ago. “Joining YWCA movement? It just happened”, she says. From that young girl in YWCA of Switzerland, she moved across to many positions, locations and experiences, only to be […]
Young women leaders around the world are championing the causes of youth by overcoming multiple barriers, smashing patriarchy and moving beyond the challenges that have bind them. Here we interview, one such powerful young leaders from Asia, who has been a trailblazer for youth leadership, Originally from Sri Lanka, Jayathma […]
What happened in Beirut? On the evening of August 4, a massive explosion rocked the port of Beirut, resulting in widespread damage throughout the city. The horrifying nightmare resulted from a cataclysmic explosion of 2750 tons of chemicals at the Beirut Port, estimated at the equivalent of a 4.5 earthquake. It […]
Jill Anami is a gender specialist working on human rights advocacy in particular on the access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services in Kenya. Passionate with promoting a holistic empowerment of young women and girls, Jill has become a champion that advocates for them to have access to equal […]
In mid 2020, during the pandemic, World YWCA welcomed three interns from Mastercard Foundation scholars program from the University of Toronto. While planned to be in person initially, the internship was made virtual because of the pandemic. Three young scholars studying at the University of Toronto joined World YWCA team […]
Vera has implemented numerous initiatives to promote gender equality at local and regional levels. She has been a member of the YWCA of Belarus and is now the World YWCA regional coordinator of the “Young Women Changing Narratives on SRHR & Mental Health” initiative in Eastern Europe. The initiative is […]
Women’s access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is a major concern affecting women, young women and girls across the globe. Many women don’t know their rights and don’t have access to adequate health services or the knowledge they need regarding their own bodies. In many cultures around […]
Originally from Philippines, Helen carries with her over 19 years of experience in finance and accounting. She joined World YWCA in September 2013 working with the finance and operations team. With her expertise in accounting, and her understanding of the development sector, she is working collaboratively around young women`s development […]
Story shared by Saroj’s son, Vineet Lal: My mother, Saroj Lal, who passed away recently at the age of 82, was a pioneering force in Scottish community and race relations from the 1970s to the mid-1990s. A passionate campaigner and trailblazer for equal opportunities, her tenure as Director of Lothian […]
The following stories show how young women leaders in the World YWCA movement are using story-telling and targeted advocacy to change narratives around topics like sexual and reproductive rights and health; mental health; societal norms; and more. The World YWCA is a global movement working in more than 120 countries […]
