Vital Voices Global Partnership

Happy Friday! It’s time for this week’s edition of 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤. Swipe through for this week’s standout stories and keep reading for more details: 👇 1️⃣  Sri Lanka makes history by electing 21 women to Parliament in its recent elections, surpassing the previous record of 13. This milestone brings women’s representation to over 10%, with Dr.Harini Amarasuriya reappointed as Prime Minister—the country’s third female leader 2️⃣ At just 17, Emily Bhatnagar turned her personal heartbreak into hope for others. After her father’s cancer diagnosis, she started For Love and Buttercup, a nonprofit that has donated over 15,000 books to children in hospitals across the DC area. 3️⃣ Following the U.S. election, She Should Run, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing women’s representation in politics, reported a 743% surge in U.S. women interested in running for office. 4️⃣ The University of Colorado Boulder reached a $4.5M settlement in a gender equity lawsuit, ensuring hundreds of female faculty members receive back pay. The university has committed to ongoing salary equity analyses, transparency, and fairness—critical steps toward workplace equality. 5️⃣ Amanda G., acclaimed poet and Vital Voices Board Member, earned the prestigious UNFoundation We the Peoples Award for her inspiring work amplifying voices and advancing change globally. 6️⃣ At 70 years old, Laurence Alnet of France broke the marathon world record for the 70-74 age category, completing the race in an astonishing 3:26:40. 7️⃣ Freya Lally made history as the first female driver to reach the Grand Finals in the British Indoor Karting Championship. Competing against over 5,300 participants, she secured a top 10 finish and earned a fully funded spot in the next stage of UK karting. These stories remind us that change is possible when we dream big, act boldly, and inspire others to do the same. Which story resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💬 #InspiringNews #BreakingBarriers #Positivity 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Vital Voices!🍁 This year, we’re giving thanks for the incredible contributions of women inventors who have shaped our world. 🛠️ From groundbreaking technologies to life-saving innovations, these 8 trailblazing women remind us of the power of creativity, determination, and leadership. As we gather to celebrate, let’s also honor the women and men who paved the way for progress and inspire us to keep pushing boundaries. 🙌 Who are you thankful for this year? Let us know in the comments! 💬 #HappyThanksgiving #WomenInnovators #Gratitude #Inspiration

Join Vital Voices as we gather to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (#GBV), a global campaign to raise awareness and challenge the pervasive issue of violence against women and girls. On December 11, we will host the panel event “Intersecting Front Lines: Reflections & Lessons on GBV” at our Global Headquarters and delve into the critical issues surrounding gender-based violence, examine the impact of the Beijing Platform for Action, and explore strategies for achieving gender equality and women's empowerment. Interested in attending? RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/e8KQjuhv #16DaysOfActivism #UNITE #UniteThePowerOfMany #vitalvoices 

🚨 𝟰 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀. That’s how many times deepfake porn videos were watched in 2023 alone—surpassing every other year combined. Deepfake pornography is one of the most harmful misuses of AI, targeting women and underage girls with devastating, life-altering consequences. Here’s what we can’t ignore: ⚠️ 98% of online deepfakes are pornographic. ⚠️ Women and underage girls are the primary victims. ⚠️ The damage is severe: from job loss to mental health crises—even suicide. It’s time for Big Tech to step up. No more reactive measures—proactive, protective, and preventative policies are essential. At Vital Voices, we know this is more than a digital issue—it’s a human rights crisis. We’re proud to join bipartisan leaders like Representative Dingell and Representative Pfluger in demanding real change. 👉 Swipe to read the letter we co-signed. #DeepfakeAbuse #AIAccountability #DigitalSafety --------------- Alyse Nelson The American Sunlight Project Brightlines Center for Countering Digital Hate CHAYN Check My Ads Institute Civic Shout eko Equality Now Glitch Joyful Heart Foundation Missing Perspectives Não Partilhes Association National Center on Sexual Exploitation National Organization for Women Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA) Ultraviolet WITNESS Christine Almadjian Sabrina Javellana, FRA-RP Leah Juliett 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 Adriane Moen Taylor V.

At Bumble Inc., we believe empowering women is essential to building stronger communities and a better future for all. 💪 We’re excited to announce the 2024 Next Movers Program in partnership with Vital Voices Global Partnership. For the second year, we’re continuing our commitment to supporting the next generation of women leaders driving transformational change around the world. 🌍🌟 As part of this program, these women will receive mentorship, grants, and tailored training to accelerate their impact and scale their efforts. Read about the 2024 cohort and meet the inspiring women making a difference in our first blog post. Stay tuned as we share their journeys and missions in the coming weeks – these women are truly making moves! 🚀 https://lnkd.in/gjJskvcT

Today marks the start of 16 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Running from November 25—𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, to December 10—𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲—these 16 days aim to shine a light on the urgent need to end gender-based violence (GBV) worldwide. For #16DaysOfActivism 2024, we’re amplifying the voices of the incredible women in our network who are leading the fight against GBV. This year’s theme, #UniteThePowerOfMany, highlights the power of collective action in building a future where women and girls everywhere live free from violence. 📖 Learn more about this global movement, discover inspiring stories, and explore our podcast series featuring special guests at https://lnkd.in/eJiPxJPQ. 🎙️ Join us over the next 16 days as we share stories of resilience, innovation, and impact! #NoExcuse #16Days #EndGBV

Today is the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧. Through our 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 program, Vital Voices has supported nearly 5,000 women with urgent assistance for legal aid, relocation, mental health services, and more. The program ensures: ✅ Increased access to global resources for survivors of extreme gender-based violence (GBV) to address urgent needs. ✅ Improved protections and justice for GBV survivors, with resources for civil society organizations (CSOs) to advocate on their behalf. ✅ An international network coordinating efforts to combat GBV. Want to make a difference? Donate at https://lnkd.in/dHvxErhM. Stay tuned for our 16 Days of Activism campaign, where we’ll highlight the women in our network who are leading the fight against #GBV and the power of collective action. #EndGBV #GenderEquality #NoExcuse

We are honored to introduce Justin Baldoni, actor, director, producer, and New York Times best-selling author, as an esteemed honoree at this year’s Voices of Solidarity awards! Justin Baldoni, known for his work in Jane the Virgin and for directing and starring in the hit adaptation, It Ends With Us, is being honored for his dedication to fostering understanding of modern masculinity. Through Wayfarer Studios, his best-selling books Man Enough; Undefining My Masculinity and Boys Will be Human, and The Man Enough Podcast, he pushes for positive social change in media, emphasizing gender equity and allyship. This powerful evening, hosted by Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller, brings together leaders, advocates, corporations, and supporters who believe in uniting their voices for global gender equality. Voices of Solidarity celebrates men who have shown extraordinary courage, compassion, and commitment in advocating for the rights and empowerment of women and girls around the world. Justin will join a distinguished list of previous honorees, including President Joe Biden for co-authoring the Violence Against Women Act, Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, actor and director David Schwimmer , journalist Ronan Farrow, and UN Secretary General António Guterres. 🎟️ Get your tickets today: https://lnkd.in/eRUdPRh5 #VoicesOfSolidarity #JustinBaldoni #GenderEquality

Happy Friday! It’s time for this week’s edition of 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤. Swipe through for this week’s highlights and keep reading for more details: 👇 1️⃣ 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 17-year-old Sophia Park, who started law school at 13, becomes the youngest person to pass the California bar exam and will join the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor in 2025.   2️⃣ 𝐀𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐟𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: Bread & Roses, a documentary by Malala Yousafzai and Jennifer Lawrence, reveals the struggles and resilience of Afghan women under Taliban rule. Directed by Sahra Mani, it’s now streaming on Apple TV+. 3️⃣ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐫: Businesswoman and philanthropist Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, donates $30M to U.S. Soccer, the largest-ever contribution to women’s sports, funding programs for girls and women across the country.   4️⃣  𝐀 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬: 17-year-old Nila Ibrahimi wins the 2024 International Children’s Peace Prize for her activism in Afghanistan. Her viral #IAmMySong protest, which reversed a ban on schoolgirls singing in public, has made her a global symbol of courage. Nila joins past winners like Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg in this prestigious honor. 5️⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬: Erica Lee Carter has been sworn in as Congresswoman for Texas’s 18th District, succeeding her late mother, Sheila Jackson Lee. This marks the first time in U.S. history that a daughter has directly followed her mother in Congress. Erica has vowed to honor her mother’s legacy and serve her community with dedication. 6️⃣ 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Iranian student Ahoo Daryaei, detained after protesting the hijab by removing her clothing at a university in Tehran, has been released without charges. Her bold stand against oppressive dress codes sparked global attention and drew calls for her freedom from human rights organizations. 7️⃣ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: Mashal Husain becomes President of the World Food Prize Foundation, leading efforts to advance global food security and agricultural innovation.    💬 Which story inspires you most this week? Let us know in the comments! #InspiringNews #BreakingBarriers #Positivity 

🚨 Online abuse against women has surged following the U.S. presidential election. A new report from the ISD (Institute for Strategic Dialogue) shows a sharp increase in threatening comments, some explicitly encouraging violence against women, including sexist phrases like “repeal the 19th [Amendment]” and “get back to the kitchen.”  Mentions of the phrase “Your body, my choice”— grew by over 5000% on X. In collaboration with the Columbia Institute of Global Politics, we released a comprehensive report - "𝐓𝐅𝐆𝐁𝐕: 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦" - which addresses the global crisis of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (#TFGBV). 🛠️ What’s inside the report? ⤵️ • A deep dive into the latest research on TFGBV • Global legislative progress and policy recommendations • Practical steps for governments, tech companies, schools, and more TFGBV isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s a society-wide problem that demands action. 📖 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eCs_gq2d 💬 Share this post to raise awareness. --------------------------------------------------- #OnlineSafety, #EndOnlineAbuse, #DigitalSafety, #WomenOnline, #TechForGood, #GenderEquality, Alyse Nelson, Nina Jankowicz, Isabella Gomez-O'Keefe, Lauren Hoffman, Andrea Vidal Becker, Columbia University, Columbia | SIPA.