When crisis strikes, women and girls are often the first to suffer—but they are also the first to rise. Across the globe, women are not waiting for change; they are creating it. From defending refugee rights to leading climate action and standing up to oppressive regimes, these 12 women activists are shaping a safer, more just world for all.
This International Women’s Day, we spotlight their inspiring work and the movements they lead.
1. Malala Yousafzai – Champion for Girls’ Education
At just 15 years old, Malala Yousafzai survived a Taliban assassination attempt in Pakistan for daring to advocate for girls’ right to education. Since then, she has become a global icon for educational access through the Malala Fund. In 2014, she became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Today, she continues to campaign for the 130 million girls who remain out of school worldwide.
2. Sara Mardini – A Lifesaver Turned Advocate
A former Syrian competitive swimmer, Sara Mardini made headlines in 2015 when she and her sister helped rescue fellow refugees by swimming a sinking boat to safety. Now based in Germany, she works to support refugee rights and has become a symbol of resilience. Her story was dramatized in Netflix’s The Swimmers, inspiring a new generation of humanitarian advocates.
3. Muzoon Almellehan – The Education Activist from Syria
Known as the “Malala of Syria,” Muzoon began advocating for girls’ education while living in refugee camps in Jordan. As the first UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador with refugee status, she has brought global attention to the educational needs of displaced children and continues to fight for universal education for all refugee girls.
4. Julienne Lusenge – Voice for Survivors of Wartime Violence
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Julienne Lusenge has spent decades documenting sexual violence in conflict zones. She co-founded SOFEPADI and the Congolese Women’s Fund, offering support to thousands of survivors. Her efforts have earned her global honors, including the International Women of Courage Award and France’s Legion of Honour.
5. “Samia” – Healing Trauma in War-Torn Syria
Working under a pseudonym for her safety, Samia is a mental health psychologist serving women and children in northeastern Syria’s refugee camps. She offers critical psychological care amid devastation, helping others rebuild after the trauma of war and displacement. Named one of BBC’s 100 Women, her work shines a light on the importance of mental health in humanitarian crises.
6. Adenike Oladosu – Nigeria’s Voice for Climate Justice
Adenike is a leading climate activist and ecofeminist from Nigeria. She founded the country’s branch of the School Strike for Climate and has represented African youth at multiple international summits, including COP25. Her activism connects climate resilience with gender equity, placing frontline communities at the heart of the climate conversation.
7. Gulalai Ismail – Resisting Extremism in Pakistan
A fearless women’s rights advocate, Gulalai co-founded Aware Girls, an organization that promotes peace and counters religious extremism in Pakistan. Despite threats and persecution, she continues to speak out against violence and champion youth leadership and democratic values. Her courage has earned her international awards and recognition.
8. Eve Ensler – Global Leader Against Gender Violence
Eve Ensler, the playwright behind The Vagina Monologues, launched the V-Day movement to combat gender-based violence worldwide. Through initiatives like One Billion Rising and support centers like the City of Joy in the DRC, she has mobilized millions to end rape, domestic abuse, and exploitation.
9. Berta Cáceres – Defender of Indigenous Lands
An environmental and Indigenous rights activist in Honduras, Berta led her Lenca community’s fight against the construction of the Agua Zarca Dam. Despite death threats, she persisted until her assassination in 2016. Her legacy lives on as a symbol of resistance against environmental and cultural destruction.
10. Disha Ravi – Youth Climate Leader from India
Disha Ravi is a co-founder of Fridays for Future India, the youth-led climate movement inspired by Greta Thunberg. She gained global attention after being arrested in 2021 for her environmental activism. Disha continues to advocate for climate justice, sustainable farming, and the rights of marginalized communities across India.
11. Leymah Gbowee – Peace Architect in Liberia
Leymah Gbowee galvanized Christian and Muslim women in Liberia to form a nonviolent movement that played a pivotal role in ending the country’s civil war in 2003. She later won the Nobel Peace Prize and founded the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, investing in youth leadership and post-conflict reconstruction.
12. Wangari Maathai – Africa’s Green Pioneer
The late Wangari Maathai was the founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, an initiative that empowered rural women to plant over 50 million trees. She became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, linking environmental conservation with women’s empowerment and democratic governance.
The Power of Persistence
These 12 women come from different countries, cultures, and causes, but they share one unwavering commitment: the courage to act. They are educators, healers, warriors, and environmentalists who are leading real change, often at great personal risk.
Their stories remind us that activism isn’t a title—it’s a decision. A decision to stand up, speak out, and create the world we deserve. As we honor them, let their example challenge us all to become active participants in shaping a more just and equal future.
