Nway Eint Chei, a medical doctor, served as a national UN Volunteer Immunization Officer with the UN Children’s Agency (UNICEF) in Myanmar where she supported the healthcare waste management system for environmental sustainability. In Myanmar, during the COVID vaccination programme generated millions of syringes and immunizations, and the issue of waste and hygiene were a focus for UNICEF. 

In a world where age often defines our roles and responsibilities, there exists a powerful force that transcends these boundaries - volunteering. At the age of 61 Barry Greville-Eyres serves as an International UN Volunteer, Project Manager with UNDP Afghanistan.  He refers to himself as a lifelong practitioner, after volunteering on several continents in Africa, Oceania, and Asia, serving just causes - governance, teaching and learning, environment, climate change, and democratic transformation. In the twilight years of his working career, he recently concluded 18 months of his assignment with UNDP Afghanistan as the Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI) Area Manager - Central Highlands Region. 

On the occasion of the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, we dive into Carol Healy’s experience in promoting women’s rights in the Caribbean, with the Spotlight Initiative. This is a global initiative of the United Nations which has received generous support from the European Union. It aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.