UN Volunteer in Gaza recounts as the ceasefire ends

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After enduring 15 months of relentless violence, devastation, and loss of life, the people of the Gaza Strip finally saw a glimmer of hope with the ceasefire that came into effect on January 19, 2025. Among those returning to the remnants of their homes in northern Gaza were UN Volunteer Asmaa Ma'rouf and her children. Asmaa documented her journey back home, sharing her reflections along the way. The ceasefire was still in effect at that time.

"After months of uncertainty, of longing for home, today is the day I return. This journey has been filled with challenges, resilience, and hope. Each step back home brings a flood of memories—some painful, some warm.

Displacement is more than just leaving a place; it’s leaving behind a part of yourself. The streets feel familiar yet different, carrying the weight of what was lost and the promise of what can be rebuilt.

"Let's commit to peaceful communities in Madagascar"

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In 2024, the United Nations in Madagascar initiated one of its most ambitious volunteer recruitment drives, enlisting 32 UN Volunteers to promote peacebuilding and social cohesion within their communities. All volunteers were Malagasy nationals. Among them—five UN Volunteer Specialists in Social and Behaviour Change and 24 UN Community Volunteers collaborated with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and three university students served as UN Volunteers with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Despite their diverse roles, all 32 shared a common goal: they were animators ready to drive positive change from the ground up.

Youth, which represents the majority of Madagascar's population, is both a challenge and an opportunity for peacebuilding amidst social, economic, and cultural tensions.

Promoting gender equality through technology

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International Women's Day is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on UN Volunteers around the globe who serve in gender equality. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 139 UN Volunteers focus on Sustainable Development Goal 5. Noemi Mamani is one of them. She is a Digital Innovation Specialist for Gender Equality Programmes with UN Women in Bolivia. Her message—"We must build the path towards gender equality, and what better way than through tech innovation!"

Noemi started volunteering at a very young age. At 14, she was already raising awareness of gender equality. “The personal reward of seeing change in people has always driven me,” says Noemi, an economist now. 

Inspiring change in Iraq, one girl at a time

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In the lead up to International Women's Day, we shine a spotlight on UN Volunteers around the globe who contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 5—gender equality. Among them are volunteers with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) supporting girls and young women across Iraq with new skills and opportunities. These volunteers serve under a common goal—opening doors for the next generation so girls have the tools and confidence to succeed.

Seven of the nine UN Volunteers who serve with UNICEF in Iraq are women. Their roles include Communications, Human Resources, Resource Mobilization, and Youth Engagement. Four of these women are part of Young Arab Women Talents initiative. Started in 2022, this partnership between UNICEF and UNV creates leadership opportunities for young women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. 

We are all part of the same global family—a blog from Iran

Golazin Hemmaty, UN Volunteer Media and Communication Officer with UNICEF
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“Human beings are members of a whole.” Words of the Persian poet, Saʿdī Shīrāz, perfectly frame what I believe volunteering truly is. We are all part of the global family, and by helping each other, we make our communities stronger and more resilient. I am Golazin Hemmaty, UN Volunteer with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Iran, and I believe there is no action too small to make a difference. The only important thing is our collective efforts for a better future for everyone, everywhere.

I remember the day vividly—my father had just returned from one of his work trips. As he unpacked his bag, he handed me a small, suitcase-like package. My eyes lit up; I loved puzzles, but this one was different. It wasn’t the usual puzzle with Disney princesses or cartoon characters I was used to. Instead, it was made of 20 cubes, each face contributing to six unique puzzles.

Expertise knows no gender—a volunteer's message

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Wankumbu Sikombe is a UN Volunteer with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zambia. As an architect, her work takes her deep into the Kazungula District in Southern Province, where she serves as a Resident Site Engineer for the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Agricultural Livelihoods in Agro-ecological Regions (SCRALA) project. On International Women's Day, we shine a spotlight on Wankumbu and her message—expertise knows no gender.

In a remote village in Zambia, I am not just building infrastructure, I am building resilience, relationships, and respect.

Every day, I wake up to lush landscapes, fresh air, and the voices of a community that, at first, was unsure about my presence.

For me, volunteerism is all about authenticity, excellence, and integrity. It means embracing the environment I find myself in, accepting the reality of working in communities, and finding purpose beyond my comfort zone.

Online Volunteers support from margins to mainstream

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More than 280 Online Volunteers, including three persons with disabilities, supported a study on how to build a more supportive environment for young entrepreneurs in the Asia Pacific region, especially those from underserved communities. From Margins to Mainstream: Inclusive Youth Entrepreneurship in the Asia Pacific Region was produced by Youth Co: Lab, an initiative, co-led by UNDP and the Citi Foundation, in partnership with the World Bank and United Nations Volunteers (UNV). In the lead up to International Women's Day, we highlight the voices of women Online Volunteers who supported this study.

A linguist in Thailand, Busawan Kachonnarongvanish has a Bachelor's degree in Arts and a Master's degree in Economics and Development Studies. “Tasked to translate survey dissemination guidance from English to Thai, I have gained insights into best practices for data collection centered on the principle of upholding empathy and respondent confidentiality. Translating collected responses from Thai to English opened my eyes to a myriad of challenges that the target audience has encountered.

"Every woman deserves to be heard"

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On International Women's Day, we shine a spotlight on the contributions of UN Volunteers around the globe. From grassroots-level support to community initiatives, volunteers are paving the way for an equal and sustainable future for women and girls. Here the voice of Evelyn Okach from Kenya underlines how volunteering promotes gender equality. "My role at UN Women centers on ending violence against women and girls, and it has brought me face-to-face with survivors; women who refuse to be defined by their suffering." Let's hear more about Evelyn's volunteer assignment.

I never imagined how deeply volunteering could change my life. Like many, I once thought of it as something purely humanitarian, offering a helping hand in times of crisis and bringing relief to those in need. But stepping into the world of gender advocacy and women’s empowerment through UN Women has redefined what it means to be a volunteer.

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