The sun rose over New York on October 24, 2025, illuminating the iconic United Nations headquarters draped in blue and white, symbols of peace and unity. But this year’s celebration carried deeper meaning: the UN marked its 80th anniversary under the theme, “Promoting Peace, Unity, and Global Partnerships.” Amid the speeches and reflections, one truth resonated louder than ever: peace, unity, and global progress cannot flourish without women at the center. From the dusty streets of Sudan to the digital labs of Singapore, women continue to stand as quiet architects of hope, mediating conflicts, pioneering innovations, leading humanitarian responses, and shaping the moral compass of governance. The world may celebrate the UN’s enduring mission, but its greatest measure of success lies in how well it empowers women to lead the charge for justice and peace. Eighty Years of Promise: From “We the Peoples” to “We the Women” When the United…

Hadiza Kumi sat quietly amid the ruins of what used to be her home, clutching her child’s hand and staring into the distance. The bombs had stopped, but inside her, another war raged, one that no one could see. “I survived,” she whispered, “but I don’t feel alive.” Her words echo the silent struggles of millions of women across crisis zones worldwide, survivors, caregivers, and fighters who carry invisible wounds long after the world’s attention fades. Women’s mental health isn’t peripheral, it’s foundational to healing societies. On this World Mental Health Day 2025, the call is clear: let us listen, act, and ensure no voice is silenced. The Silent Crisis behind the Headlines Every year on October 10, the world marks World Mental Health Day, a moment to confront stigma, amplify awareness, and push for accessible care. The 2025 theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” shines…

When Cordelia Adakule, a brilliant software developer in Lagos, discovered that her male colleague, less experienced and trained by her, earned almost 30% more for the same role, she was devastated. “It was not just about the money,” she said, “it was about respect.” Cordelia’s story is echoed by millions of women across the world. Despite working just as hard, if not harder, women are still consistently undervalued in the global labor market. On September 18, 2025, the world pauses to mark International Equal Pay Day, a day dedicated to exposing and addressing this injustice. This year’s theme, “Policy Options to Close the Gender Pay Gap Over the Life Course,” calls on governments, organizations, and societies to design strategies that ensure women are paid fairly, not just at one stage of life, but throughout their entire careers. What is the Gender Pay Gap? The gender pay gap refers to the…

In parliaments across the globe, from the marble halls of Europe to the grassroots chambers of Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, something quietly powerful is unfolding. A woman stands. Her voice breaks through centuries of exclusion. She is not a token, not a novelty, but a necessary force. She speaks not just for herself, but for the millions whose stories, struggles, and strength she carries into every vote, every policy, every action. As we mark the International Day of Parliamentarism on June 30, the 2025 theme, “Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action,” calls us to look beyond numbers and see the deeper truth: when women lead in parliaments, the world moves closer to justice, peace, and progress. A Global Journey from the Margins to the Majority The journey of women into legislative power has been anything but linear. In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to grant women…