“I believe in a future where no woman has to dim her light to fit into spaces that were not designed for her. That belief, that vision, is what keeps me pushing forward.” – Rise Up Nigeria Leader Esohe Ekunwe
Happy International Women’s Day from all of us here at Rise Up! In a time when hard-won rights for women and girls are being rolled back around the world, when policies threaten decades of progress, and when funding faces increasing restrictions, International Women’s Day takes on even greater significance.
Standing strong against these headwinds, Rise Up Leaders continue their vital work, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and an unflinching commitment to advancing gender equity in their communities and countries.
This year, the United Nations International Women’s Day theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” reminds us that true progress must be inclusive, leaving no woman or girl behind regardless of her identity, background, or circumstances.
We celebrate the power of women and girls by sharing the stories of five Rise Up Leaders who are creating transformational change in Nigeria, Mexico, the United States, Kenya, and India.
Rise Up Nigeria Leader Esohe Ekunwe is championing digital access for women and girls across the country. She is currently a Youth Advisor to the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States and her advocacy is rooted in her own experiences of gender inequality – seeing women discouraged from pursuing ambitious careers and having their potential limited by discrimination.
“The fire was lit the moment I realized that, as a woman, I would have to work twice as hard to be seen and heard,” Esohe explained. “I experienced firsthand the limitations placed on women in technology and leadership, and I refused to accept it as the norm. I chose to dedicate my life to breaking those barriers, to being the voice that challenges these systems, and to creating a world where women do not just survive but thrive.”
Esohe leverages the skills she gained through Rise Up’s training – stakeholder engagement, policy influence, and strategic storytelling – to drive systemic change. She has led initiatives providing hands-on digital skills training, built mentorship networks connecting women to industry leaders, and worked on policies promoting gender equity in the STEM sector.
When asked what motivates her ongoing advocacy, Esohe shared, “I believe in a future where no woman has to dim her light to fit into spaces that were not designed for her. That belief, that vision, is what keeps me pushing forward.”
Rise Up Mexico Leader Urenda Queletzú Navarro Sánchez is a lawyer, activist, historian, and researcher nationally recognized for her defense of women’s rights. Urenda’s activism journey began at just eight years old when she witnessed extreme poverty in San Luis Potosi. “I have always said that witnessing this poverty, the harshness with which inequality is experienced, awakened in me the vocation of a human rights defender,” Urenda shared with Rise Up.
With training and funding from Rise Up, Urenda set out to address an alarming trend – the growing number of femicide cases at the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi (UASLP). In her capacity as a Research Professor at the University, Urenda advocated for institutional policy changes to protect women from gender-based violence on campus. Working alongside UASLP’s administration and feminist student groups, Urenda developed and implemented a comprehensive policy for the prevention and response to all forms of gender-based violence within the university, benefiting over 39,000 students. In addition to developing the new policy, she supported university students who reported sexual harassment in their classrooms.
“Thanks to the support of Rise Up, the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi is a pioneer at the national level as an institution that has both mechanisms to address violence against women and institutional policies that guarantee equality between men and women,” said Urenda. Through her unwavering commitment and strategic advocacy, Urenda has transformed UASLP’s campus environment and created a powerful model for Mexican universities to follow in the fight against gender-based violence.
Rise Up California Leader Jennifer Roberson is a daughter, sister, community auntie, and a Program Coordinator at the Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles where she works to improve Black maternal health outcomes. Jennifer’s path to advocacy was catalyzed during the COVID pandemic when she became a caretaker for family members with health challenges.
“That experience opened my eyes to the systemic barriers that many Black women face when advocating for their health – something I had experienced firsthand but had never fully processed,” Jennifer explained. This realization prompted a career pivot: “Growing up, my parents instilled in me the belief that girls can do anything boys can. But as I moved through the world, I quickly learned that women are not always heard—especially when it comes to our health.”
After graduating from Rise Up’s Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator, Jennifer was awarded $100,000 in funding from Rise Up to advocate for greater equity within California’s Black Infant Health (BIH) program, which offers free services to Black pregnant and postpartum women in culturally affirming environments. Her advocacy will push for policy changes that ensure that Black women and their infants have the quality care and support they need to thrive.
“I naturally see the big picture and understand how interconnected issues are, but in the past, narrowing my scope has been a challenge…Rise Up has taught me how to focus my advocacy efforts in a way that maximizes impact,” Jennifer reflected.
When asked about her hope for women and girls, Jennifer envisions a world where “our brilliance, passion, and lived experience are truly valued – and compensated accordingly. Too often, our expertise is measured by degrees rather than by the impact we create.”
Rise Up Kenya Leader Mary Mogana Mochama works for Shining Hope for Communities as an educator, mentor, and strong advocate for the rights of youth and women. Growing up in Kibera, one of Kenya’s largest informal settlements, Mary experienced firsthand the challenges faced by girls who had limited access to education in impoverished communities. This experience shaped her commitment to supporting young women facing similar circumstances.
Mary’s passion lies in walking alongside scholars, guiding them on their journey and helping them realize their potential. Mary shared, “By creating spaces for women and girls to access knowledge, opportunities, and self-empowerment, I hope to be part of the transformation that enables them to rise beyond limitations and build stronger, more independent futures. My heart for community led me to this career, and the environment I serve keeps reinforcing my belief in the potential of women. I have witnessed their immense contributions to their families and society, often despite overwhelming odds. If I can play a role in supporting them to thrive, why wouldn’t I?”
Mary helps young people to stay in school by securing scholarships and providing crucial mentorship. She shared that Rise Up’s training has equipped her with valuable skills in gender advocacy, political mapping, and leadership campaign organization.
When reflecting on the significance of International Women’s Day and its connection to her life’s work, Mary explains, “International Women’s Day deeply resonates with my journey and the work I do…For me, it isn’t just about celebrating progress – it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that, just as I’ve seen women and girls in my community overcome adversity, we must continue to amplify their voices, create supportive spaces, and ensure they have equal access to education, health care, and safety.”
Rise Up India Leader Anshu Jha, a Program Coordinator at SEWA Delhi, is dedicated to creating economic opportunities for women waste pickers working in Delhi’s informal sector. Growing up in the same community she now serves, Anshu witnessed firsthand how investing in women has a ripple effect and improves the wellbeing of entire families. With Rise Up’s support, Anshu and SEWA Delhi organized a six-day photo exhibition to spotlight women waste pickers. This powerful event raised awareness about the critical challenges these women face, including informal employment, inadequate housing, sexual harassment, and abuse.
Through Rise Up’s training and support, Anshu has developed critical skills in community-based program design and mobilization. “I have learned to implement projects effectively by focusing on their impact and developing strong monitoring skills. Additionally, I gained experience in designing community-based programs tailored to local needs. I learned to draft and design projects which has helped my organization secure funding opportunities in recent years,” Anshu said.
When asked what keeps her inspired and motivated despite the challenges, Anshu shared: “The intangible changes taking place in the community, such as women stepping into leadership roles, reflect our organization’s goal of nurturing grassroots leadership. Each field visit to the community has not only motivated me to continue my work but has also encouraged me to persevere during challenging times.” Through her work, Anshu is transforming the lives of women waste pickers in Delhi while building a sustainable model of economic empowerment that centers the voices of affected communities.
We recognize and celebrate Rise Up Leaders Esohe, Urenda, Jennifer, Mary, and Anshu for their unwavering commitment to gender equity today and every day. These leaders and countless others across Rise Up’s network continue to advance transformative change for women and girls around the world.
On this year’s International Women’s Day, the strength, courage, perseverance, and drive of Rise Up Leaders gives us hope when we need it most. We stand proud alongside these extraordinary leaders to ensure that rights, equality, and empowerment are accessible for ALL women and girls.
Quotes have been edited for length and clarity.
