This International Women’s Day we’re spotlighting a woman striving to support other women in her work in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh.

Hayat would do anything to protect her children’s safety, even using her own body as a shield during bombings. But when she was faced with violence in her home, it was harder to speak out. With support through the AHP earthquake response, she can now find her peace.

Period poverty remains a significant issue in Lebanon, exacerbated by the deteriorating economic situation, which has led to a drastic increase in the prices of menstrual hygiene products.

For 16-year-old Kohinoor, community-based child protection and education mechanisms supported by the Australian Humanitarian Partnership response in Bangladesh have empowered her to stand up to her parents and refuse a child marriage.

After training on home gardening techniques, Madushika is now growing healthy, nutritious food for her young family, and generating income.

Girls in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, like 14-year-old Yaesmin are learning to advocate for their rights and protect themselves from GBV and early marriage through the Girls Shine curriculum.

In Papua New Guinea, Disaster READY’s Climate Change Adaptation programs are increasing women’s economic empowerment, tackling food insecurity, and providing and income to support children’s education.

Women-led community kitchens are providing a safe and supportive environment for women affected by Tropical Cyclone Lola to not only cook and share meals, but to talk about their needs and organise.

After Tropical Cyclone Lola struck Vanuatu, women mobilised to compile and distribute dignity kits to other women, including those with disabilities, in affected communities.

WITTT Sunshine has grown from a membership of three in 2018, to a network of 600 women with disability in Vanuatu. The group now plays an integral role in women-led, local, disability-inclusive disaster response.

E-cash transfers are giving women in host communities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the chance to start their own small businesses, and to have greater control over their finances.

Hoholiv village was occupied by Russian forces in the early weeks of the invasion of Ukraine. With AHP support, International Medical Corps is providing psychosocial support to residents living with trauma and stress from the conflict.

The KOMPASS program is assisting Ukrainian women refugees in Romania and beyond to stay safe from trafficking, exploitation and other protection risks.

21-year-old Leonia is taking the lead on a savings and loans group that enables her community to prepare for disasters. With the support of Disaster READY, members can now plan ahead for food shocks and damage from storms.

Due to extreme poverty, 16-year-old Shahina had to leave school after the first grade. But thanks to the AHP-supported Orchid Youth Club, Shahina found a supportive community of girls facing similar challenges, and is now fighting against child marriage in her community.

As a woman with a disability, Angelina has become a vital voice in ensuring her remote community in Timor-Leste is ready to cope with the next disaster.

After Madalena received support through Disaster READY, she realised that she was in a position to help other women in her community.

For Mayan, 65, who was kidnapped by ISIS, returning home to Sinjar after years of displacement meant rebuilding her family’s livestock business from scratch. With the support of the AHP Building Peaceful Futures response in Iraq, her business and life is back on track.

For three Rohingya sisters living with hearing and speech disabilities, the Women and Girls Safe Space in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, has opened up new social, learning and creative opportunities.

Reading and writing are skills that many of us take for granted. But for Nadia, 50, a lack of schooling meant she struggled to move around her community or use a phone to call her children. Literacy classes for women supported by AHP have boosted her confidence and created new friendships.