12 women activists and leaders making the world a better place

When a crisis hits, it’s women and girls that are most affected. They experience increased gender-based violence and a loss of income can put them more at risk of early, child, or forced marriage. But instead of waiting for conflicts to end, for someone else to step in, or for laws to pass to help them, women are stepping up and being the first responders, changemakers, and activists that their families, local communities and women across the world need. 

In honor of International Women’s Day, here are 12 women who are making the world a safer, better place, for everyone.

Malala Yousafzai

Malala was 15-years-old when she was targeted for advocating for girls' right to education in Pakistan. A gunman tried to kill her as she walked home from school. Malala survived the attack and she and her family moved to the UK, where she launched the Malala Fund a non-profit organization that advocates for girls' education.

Malala was nearly killed for her activism when she was just 15 years old. But she survived and she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work to ensure girls everywhere could go to school.

Photo: Southbank Centre

With more than 130 million girls out of school today, Malala continues to fight for girls' right to learn.

In 2014, at the age of 17, she became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her work and the United Nations launched ‘Malala Day,’ in honor of the young Pakistani activist’s fight for universal education.

Sara Mardini 

Sara is a Syrian former competition swimmer, lifeguard and human rights activist, who took part in search and rescue missions, saving refugees making the crossing from Turkey to Greece. 

The story of Sara and her sister Yusra’s journey from Syria to Europe was portrayed in the Netflix film 'The Swimmers'.

Photo: Vanco Dzambaski

Sara and her younger sister, now Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini, fled from Syria in 2015. When the boat they were escaping on started to sink in the Aegean Sea, the sisters swam the boat to safety, a journey chronicled in the Netflix movie, “The Swimmers.”

After the sisters were granted political asylum in Germany, Sara joined a non-governmental organization that helped refugees arriving on the Greek island of Lesbos, working as a translator. “I talk them through it,” Sara said. I tell them, ‘I know what you feel, because I’ve been through it. I lived it, and I survived’, and they feel better, because I am a refugee just like them.”

Sara’s involvement in Lesbos led to her and other human rights activists being arrested in 2018, with charges which have been refuted heavily by organizations like Amnesty International. In January 2023, Sara went on trial with 24 other humanitarian aid workers, facing up to 25 years in prison for charges of "espionage," "migrant smuggling" and "money laundering" in Greece. After the court ruled that the charges of espionage were partially inadmissible, Sara and the other aid workers await a second trial to determine the charge of “migrant smuggling.”

Halima Aden

Halima Aden is a Somali-American fashion model and activist. She was born at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya and moved to the United States at age 6. 

Halima broke boundaries at every step of her career, becoming the first hijab-wearing model to be signed to a major agency, walk international runways, and appear on the cover of Vogue magazine. Soon after, Halima became a UNICEF ambassador, through which she advocates for children’s rights and uses her platform to raise funds and awareness for the global refugee crisis. 

“I need to be the person the kids in the refugee camps can relate to. The greatest thing I could give them is hope,” Halima says. “I want everyone to live to their full potential without having to fear someone will try to knock them down or discriminate against them.”

Waad Al-Kateab 

Waad is a Syrian activist who started out as a citizen journalist for the UK's Channel 4 news in 2011, through which her reports on the war were broadcast. As the war in Syria intensified, Waad chose to stay and document her life in Aleppo, during which she met her partner and gave birth to their first daughter, Sama. 

Syrian activist and former journalist, Waad, swept up awards for her debut film which detailed the Syria crisis.

For Sama, Waad’s debut feature film which was dedicated to her first daughter, swept the awards ceremonies across the globe, winning Best Documentary at the BAFTAs, Cannes Film Festival, and the Emmys. 

Having fled Aleppo in 2016, Waad, her husband, and her two daughters, now live in the United Kingdom, where she continues to work as a filmmaker/reporter for Channel 4 News—she is also a mentor for female journalists. Outside of film, Waad dedicates time to her advocacy campaign, Action for Sama, which was established to turn the worldwide support for the film into positive action for Syrians. 

[*Al-Kataeb is the chosen pseudonym surname to protect Waad’s family.] 

Nadia Murad

Nadia is an Iraqi Yazidi human rights activist who now lives in Germany. In 2014, Nadia was kidnapped from her home in Iraq by members of the group known as ISIS and held captive for three months.

Nadia Murad was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for her work advocated for women in conflict.

Photo: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Following her escape, Nadia became a powerful advocate for women in conflict settings and survivors of sexual violence. This resulted in her being awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize—the first Iraqi and Yazidi to have done so. The same year, she founded Nadia’s Initiative, an organization dedicated to providing advocacy and assistance to victims of genocide. 

“I want to be the last girl in the world with a story like mine. We must not only imagine a better future for women, children, and persecuted minorities; we must work consistently to make it happen—prioritizing humanity, not war.”

Rima Sultana Rimu

As a member of 'Young Women Leaders for Peace,' Rima Sultana Rimu has been recognized for her outstanding work providing educational resources for women and children in Rohingya refugee camps in her native Bangladesh. Using radio broadcasts and theatre performances as well as more traditional classroom teaching methods, Rimu spreads awareness of the UN Security Council's recommendations on women, peace and security. She also serves as a resource for members of the Rohingya community facing issues like child marriage and domestic violence. 

“I am determined to bring gender equality to Bangladesh. I believe in the power of women and girls to fight for our rights. We will succeed.” 

Zahra

Zahra took part in the IRC’s leadership training and now she advocates for women’s rights.

Photo: Elena Heatherwick for the IRC

Zahra is an Afghan refugee, journalist and single mum. She and her two children, aged 11 and 10, fled from Afghanistan to the UK in August 2021, forcing her to leave her dream job as a TV news anchor.

In 2022, Zahra took part in the IRC’s leadership training, and now advocates for women’s rights on a global scale, telling her story of fleeing conflict to the United Nations. Settling into the UK, Zahra has dreams of studying for a Master’s degree and restarting her career as a journalist, while being an advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan and all over the world. 

“I want the world to stay with Afghanistan and all in the world who are in danger,” Zahra says. “There shouldn’t be any difference between refugees and how people from different countries are treated. I want equality for everyone, whether they’re from Ukraine or Afghanistan or anywhere else, they should have the same rights.”

Rowida Al Sabbah

IRC nutrition officer in Gaza

Rowida Al-Sabbah has worked as a nutrition officer for the IRC working in Gaza She was forced to flee her home as result of the conflict, but now works to treat and prevent malnutrition among young children and helps pregnant and lactating mothers ensure the health of their babies. 

These first days shape their lives forever. They have a long-term impact on the physical, mental, and cognitive health of the child.

“We are now experiencing a high risk of famine and malnutrition, especially among children, because children in the first thousand days of their lives are most vulnerable,” Rowida said. “These first days shape their lives forever. They have an impact on the physical, mental, and cognitive health of the child, and lack of nutrition in these days could cause permanent disability.”

Rowida works to treat and prevent malnutrition among young children in Gaza. Beyond the immediate risks, malnutrition can cause serious long-term effects on health and development.

Rowida’s team serves people with medical treatment, training, and essential education. “We are also spreading awareness in society about the importance of nutrition and how we can raise the awareness of people regarding the use of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF).” RUTF is a fortified peanut paste and 'miracle cure' used to treat malnutrition.  

Anna Lukina 

Activist and hairdresser in Ukraine

"I felt like a ‘socially homeless’ person—someone who had lost everything"

In Ukraine, 25% of the pre-war population, over 10 million people, have been forced from their homes. Over 30% of the population is internally displaced, and 3.7 million people now grapple with mental health issues ranging from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Before the occupation, I was a happy woman, mother, and entrepreneur. I had everything—so many ideas, dreams I was bringing to life, and grand plans."​

After her hometown was occupied, Anna Lukina fled with her family to Odessa. There she began volunteering to cope with depression. Having left her successful hairdressing business behind, Anna started providing free beauty treatments and haircuts to displaced women, using her skills to bring back some sense of everyday normality to her clients.

Now, she's launching her own charity to help women and people with disabilities who have been affected by the war.

Maryam

Urban planner from Afghanistan

Maryam had been building her career in architecture and urban design in Afghanistan, working on projects across the capital, including a series of women-specific shopping centers and the design of the new Kabul Zoo. But in August 2021 this changed forever when the Taliban took control of her home city.

Maryam has been supported by the International Rescue Committee's employment team in the UK

Photo: Clara Collyns for the IRC

“I loved everything about my job," Maryam recalls. "I was happy that I was doing something useful. That meant a lot to me. I was making a change, especially in a field that is so male-dominant in Afghanistan." 

For eight months after the Taliban took control, Maryam stayed in Kabul, but to continue  her studies, she had to leave everything behind, carrying only a backpack, to pursue her dreams. 

“I believe that education is as important as the air that we breathe, but especially for women”

Maryam has since completed her master’s degree and is working part-time in urban planning in London. She now mentors other women like her as a volunteer with Daricha, an initiative that provides free online training in architecture, urban design and planning to Afghan women and girls who otherwise would not have the opportunity to study. Maryam is also part of the IRC’s community advisory board and hopes to continue helping refugees in the UK and women back home in Afghanistan.  

Eatizaz Yousif

IRC Sudan Country Director

Eatizaz at a global IRC event, where she gave a talk on her experiences as country director and the ongoing humanitarian needs in Sudan.

Photo: Yekaterina Gyadu for the IRC

​Since the war started in April 2023, Sudan has become the biggest displacement crisis in the world. Over 12 million people have had to leave their homes, both inside and outside the country. On top of that, 25 million people in Sudan are struggling with a hunger crisis.​

"We are trying to reach whatever population we’re able to reach and to provide services despite all of the access issues or impediments that we are navigating."

The challenges have been immense for IRC country director Eatizaz Yousif and her team. When the war broke out, 99% of the IRC team in Sudan were impacted or had to leave their homes. Against all odds, Yousif’s team rallied just days after being displaced to establish a fully operational healthcare facility, providing critical support to Sudanese families. Since then, their efforts have only expanded, reaching even more people in desperate need with critical emergency aid, including health, nutrition and women’s protection services.

Samia*

IRC Psychologist, Syria

Working at an IRC mental health clinic, Samia runs crucial counselling sessions for displaced people and their families in a refugee camp in north-eastern Syria. 

In recognition of her work, she was named in the BBC’s list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2024.

Despite limited resources, she remains deeply committed to improving her patients’ mental well-being and raising awareness about mental health. Her work with camp residents is fueled by both personal experience and a strong belief in the vital role mental health support plays in post-crisis recovery.

Rana* (8) with her family at the IRC Integrated Protection Center in Raqqa, Syria. The end of the Assad-led Government is a watershed moment for Syria, potentially offering a new and more hopeful chapter for more than 16 million people in need of humanitarian assistance inside the country.

Recent events may offer a hopeful new chapter in Syria but, humanitarian aid is more important than ever, with 16 million people currently in need of support.

*Names changed to protect IRC staff and clients

How can I support women around the world? 

Women can’t wait for conflicts and disasters to end, laws to pass or protections to be in place. We believe women and girls must be at the center of every decision to build safer, more equitable societies. This International Women’s Day, make a donation to support our work and stand with women as they make change happen.