Inspiring change in Iraq, one girl at a time

United Nations Volunteers
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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

United Nations Volunteers
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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

United Nations Volunteers
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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"

United Nations Volunteers
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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.

Step forward, lead and create a ripple of change

United Nations Volunteers
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Step forward, lead and create a ripple of change—is the message from Olivia Okoronduo, UN Volunteer from Nigeria who serves as a Communications Officer in Lesotho. "Volunteering like a woman means wearing many hats, embracing challenges, and standing in spaces that weren’t always designed for you. And being a voice for those who are not heard." In the lead up to International Women's Day, we shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of UN Volunteers around the globe, Olivia is one of them who leads the charge for change through volunteering—exemplifying the strength of collective action. This is Olivia's story.

My volunteering journey wasn’t a traditional one. I started as a journalist, chasing stories on the streets, driven by curiosity and the power of storytelling. But I wanted more than just reporting; I wanted to be part of the change. That’s when I found United Nations Volunteers. My first role was with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria, where I worked as a Communications Officer highlighting peace and justice under Sustainable Development Goal 16.

Empowered women lift communities

United Nations Volunteers
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In the lead up to International Women's Day, we shine a spotlight on the grassroots-level support of UN Volunteers around the globe. This story focuses on Alizée Pellen from France, UN Volunteer Programme Analyst with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Peacebuilding Fund in Nigeria. Through volunteering, Alizée challenges stereotypes and bridges barriers for an equal and sustainable future for women and girls—it's all about empowerment and creating positive change. 

Early warning and response mechanisms to prevent the escalation of conflicts is the core of Alizée's volunteer assignment. She has contributed to the Early Warning and Early Response system in Kaduna State in North-western Nigeria, and thus helped establish local peace committees to mediate community disputes.

Nothing about us without us—a Women's Day story

United Nations Volunteers
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The theme of International Women's Day centers on For ALL Women where inclusivity and equality are championed, ensuring that every woman's voice is heard and valued. To mark International Women's Day, we bring you a story from Lao People's Democratic Republic where Seevue Xaykia serves as an Inclusion Specialist with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She is the first UN Volunteer from the Hmong community.

“As a Hmong woman with a physical disability, meaningful participation has been one of my major barriers,” Seevue says. She supports the UNDP Disability Inclusion portfolio in its work with the Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, and actively promotes raising awareness on leaving no one behind.

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