Vital Voices Podcast

Zeinorin Angkang is a 2022 VV Visionaries Fellowship alumna and founder of Hill Wild, an organization working with the Tangkhul Naga People in Northeast India to create a sustainable food supply and eradicate poverty. In this work, she also champions the voices of Indigenous Peoples and their farming knowledge that dates back thousands of years. She recently spoke to Vital Voices President & CEO Alyse Nelson on why she founded Hill Wild and how she grew the social enterprise to include more than 2,000 farmers, 80 percent of whom are women. Angkang was recently featured in Portraits of Progress: Women Powering the Global Goals, an interactive art exhibit that debuted at the United Nations Headquarters during Women's History Month. The exhibit featured 17 portraits of women leaders finding solutions to advance the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). If listening to Angkang's story on our podcast has inspired you to take action, please consider donating to Vital Voices to help us continue investing in, connecting with, and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's most significant problems. Visit Vital Voices online. Make a contribution to our work.

On this episode of the Vital Voices podcast hosted by our Cofounder, President & CEO Alyse Nelson, we are addressing the global call to end violence against women and girls amid this year’s 16 days of Activism, a global campaign that leads up to the 75th Anniversary Human Rights Day on December 10, 2023. Joining Alyse in conversation is Vital Voices 2023 Global Leadership Awards honoree Hellen Lunkuse, founder of the Rape Hurts Foundation in Uganda. She is known as the “mother of thousands” for her work in combating gender-based violence and is also a longtime leader in the Vital Voices network of more than 20,000 women across 185 countries. As you listen to Hellen’s story on the podcast, if you are moved toward action by any part of the conversation, then you are encouraged to visit our website and make a donation of any amount in Hellen’s name at: https://www.vitalvoices.org/take-action/donate/

Listen to a recording of a live panel discussion to mark 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV) at Vital Voices. Moderated by Vital Voices President & CEO Alyse Nelson, the discussion featured expert insight on how to use digital technology to combat GBV with Elsa Marie D'Silva, founder & CEO of Red Dot Foundation and Sara Wahedi, founder & CEO of Ehtesab, Afghanistan's first civic technology startup. The panelists discussed how technology can be used for prevention, support, and empowerment in the fight against GBV. They also delved into the various ways technology can help to develop early warning systems and GBV risk assessments, in addition to providing accessible support, legal and medical services for GBV survivors. Invest in Women. Improve the world. Vital Voices invests in women leaders solving the world’s greatest challenges. We are “venture catalysts,” identifying those with a bold vision for change and partnering with them to make that vision a reality. We scale and accelerate their impact through longterm investments to expand the skills, connections, capacity, and visibility of women leaders. https://www.vitalvoices.org/take-action/donate/

In this special Festival episode of the Vital Voices podcast, you’ll hear an inspiring panel conversation on how women leaders can take control of dealing with personal trauma, navigating mental health, and finding fulfillment no matter what life throws their way. Founding Partner at West Front Strategies and Vital Voices Board Member ASHLEY DAVIS kicks off the discussion by informing the audience that they all will be gifted a copy of The Urgent Life, the debut memoir of Vital Voices Board Member and Marketing Hall of Famer BOZOMA SAINT JOHN. The conversation is moderated by HUMA ABEDIN, author, Vital Voices board member, civil servant, and Chief of Staff to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton. Invest in Women. Improve the World. If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with, and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges. www.vitalvoices.org/donate.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this special Festival series episode on the rising tide of disinformation and digital dictatorship, you’ll hear from four thought leaders who offered a cross-cultural analysis on the issue of disinformation with expert commentary from the Honorable NEEMA LUGANGIRA of Tanzania, PAULINA IBARRA of Chile, OMUKA HUB NEYSARA of India and ALENA POPOVA of Russia, in conversation with MANIRA ALVA, Vital Voices’ Vice President of Issue Advocacy. During the discussion, the panelists explore what is occurring in the world of fact and fiction, what they are experiencing, solutions, and what we can do about it to bring more truth to the surface. Invest in Women. Improve the World. If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges. www.vitalvoices.org/donate

Invest in Women. Improve the World. If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges. www.vitalvoices.org/donate ABOUT THIS EPISODE: As we approach the second anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2023, we revisit a particularly moving panel discussion from the 2nd Annual Vital Voices Festival centered around gender apartheid in Afghanistan and Iran. Listen as Afghan Women’s Rights Activist METRA MEHRAN and Iranian Actress & Activist SEPIDEH MOAFI sit in conversation with ZAINAB SALBI, founder of Women for Women International, co-founder of Daughters for Earth, and a Vital Voices board member, to discuss the problems and proposed solutions to achieve gender equality in the Middle East. Play through to the end to hear a special surprise unveiling of a protest piece created by the ArtLords, a collective of Afghan artists that was founded in Kabul in response to the injustices there. The artwork was created on a blank canvas during the Festival and completed just minutes before it was presented on stage during the panel. It now sits on display near the entrance to the Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women's Leadership as a sign of solidarity for all the oppressed women and girls of Afghanistan, Iran and around the globe.

Invest in Women. Improve the World. If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges. www.vitalvoices.org/donate About This Episode: In this special Festival series episode of the power of the arts and storytelling to spark social change, you’ll hear from a panel of featured thought leaders from film, TV, fine arts and the stage, including Sesame Workshop President SHERRIE WESTIN, President of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts DEBORAH RUTTER, Filmmaker SAMAR MINALLAH KHAN, and Executive Director of For Freedoms artist collective CLAUDIA PEÑA. These powerhouse women spoke about their roles as creative executives to positively impact the world with media entrepreneur and Founder of the Oxygen Network and former President of Nickelodeon GERALDINE LAYBOURNE expertly guiding the discussion.

Invest in Women. Improve the World. If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges. www.vitalvoices.org/donate About This Episode: “The work we do is lonely work,” said KAH WALLA, President of the Cameroon People’s Party and a Vital Voices Board Member. “If we want social justice, if we want inclusion, we cannot count on the people who have built the current status quo to change it. We must embrace power.” And so went the discussion of three powerful women leaders about how they broke the so-called rules of society to start movements and blaze a trail towards gender equality. In this special Festival episode of the Vital Voices podcast, you’ll hear more from WALLA, in addition to Senior Policy Advisor for Native Affairs and Domestic Policy Council at The White House ELIZABETH HIDALGO REESE, Founder of Femmes for Freedom SHIRIN MUSA, Environmental and Human Rights Activist HELENA GUALINGA, and Former Secretary of Public Ethics, Transparency and Anti-Corruption of Argentina LAURA ALONSO.

Invest in Women. Improve the World. If you were moved by any part of this episode, then please consider making a donation to Vital Voices to help continue our work of investing in, connecting with and amplifying the work of women leaders who are solving the world's greatest challenges. www.vitalvoices.org/donate About this Episode: In this special episode, you’ll hear a powerful conversation between Vital Voices Cofounder Secretary HILLARY CLINTON and a panel of women leaders who have been a part of Vital Voices 25-year history of disrupting the status quo. Listen as Northern Irish Peacebuilder Dr. BRONAGH HINDS, Gender Equality Activist OUMIE SISSOKHO of The Gambia, Human Rights Activist & Author RUCHIRA GUPTA of India, and Social Entrepreneur MARIA PACHECO of Guatemala talk about the audacious action they took in their communities to advocate for women, peace, and gender equality. This global dialogue, moderated by ZINHLE ESSAMUAH of NBC News, was captured at the 2nd Annual Vital Voices Festival at our global headquarters for women’s leadership in Washington, DC on May 5, 2023. The panel discussion kicks-off with an introduction from longtime Vital Voices Network Leader MARINA PISKLAKOVA-PARKER, founder of the first domestic violence crisis hotline in Russia and senior director of gender-based violence advocacy at Vital Voices.

Vital Voices invests in women leaders solving the world’s greatest challenges. We are “venture catalysts,” identifying those with a bold vision for change and partnering with them to make that vision a reality. We scale and accelerate their impact through long-term investments to expand the skills, connections, capacity, and visibility of women leaders. Your gift will allow us to continue our global mission and grow our network of over 20,000 women leaders from 185 countries. If you are moved toward action after listening to any part of the Vital Voices podcast, then visit our website and consider getting involved with one of our programs. You can also make a contribution to our efforts by making a donation of any amount you’d like to give through our online giving portal at: www.vitalvoices.org/donate

Visit us online at: www.vitalvoices.org Donate to Vital Voices: www.vitalvoices.org/donate Learn more about the book at: www.bozomasaintjohn.com

President of Google.org, Jacquelline Fuller, joins Alyse Nelson on the heels of the announcement of the 34 selected organizations for Google.org's $25M Impact Challenge for Women and Girls. They discussed the importance of private sector collaborations with organizations like Vital Voices, a partner on the Challenge, how we can realistically create a path to achieving SDG 5; Gender Equality, and why women's representation is critical to progress. In the global philanthropic community, less than 2% percent of resources are channeled specifically to help causes centered around women and girls. Committed to identifying these philanthropic gaps and merging those with Google’s strengths and values, Google.org is making investing in women and girls a top priority through innovative methods including Google Ad Grants and increased philanthropic capital. To learn more about the 34 selected organizations for the Google.org Impact Challenge for Women and Girls, visit impactchallenge.withgoogle.com/womenandgirls2021. To learn more about the work of Vital Voices, visit www.vitalvoices.org. Host: Alyse Nelson Executive Producer: Sofiyat Ibrahim Producer and Editor: Sofiyat Ibrahim Music: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod. Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?keywords=deliberate+thought. Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Melissa Shang, disability rights activist, joined host, Alyse Nelson, for a special International Youth Day discussion on advocacy and the power of young voices. Born with a form of muscular dystrophy called Charcot-Marie-Tooth, Melissa has worked throughout her young-adult life to incorporate anti-ableist conversation into popular discourse. In this enlightening conversation, Melissa and Alyse discuss the path to activism and importance of representation in youth popular culture, the impact that the Covid 19 Pandemic has had on the disabled community, the importance of Gen Z’s activist upbringing, and how we can all be better allies to the disabled community. At such a young age, Melissa is already a truly inspirational leader whose empathy and strength she continues to use as her power to empower others. Melissa is a former Vital Voices HerLead fellow and recently, was included in a series of portraits celebrating Asian American women. You can see her portrait on the new Vital Voices building in Washington, DC. To learn more about Vital Voices, visit www.vitalvoices.org. This series is inspired by our book, Vital Voices: 100 Women using their Power to Empower, edited by Alyse Nelson with art by Gayle Kabaker, published by Assouline. Host: Alyse Nelson. Executive Producer:. Sofiyat Ibrahim Editor: Maya Sternthal Music: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod. Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?keywords=deliberate+thought. Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Her Royal Highness, Intisar AlSabah, Kuwaiti social entrepreneur, philanthropist, and princess of the House of Al Sabah, joined host, Alyse Nelson, for a discussion on how we can use lessons learned from overcoming adversity to empower others. A survivor of domestic abuse and military occupation, Her Royal Highness explores how traumatic events in her own life impacted her mental health, how she escaped from this dark place, and how she relies on skills gained from these experiences to support her work in empowering others. Today, Her Royal Highness runs the Intisar Foundation, a charitable organization which uses drama therapy to support the mental health of Kuwaiti women and children. Through her passionate words, she emphasizes the importance of increased support for mental health and empathetic leadership practices. Her Royal Highness models how individuals striving to improve their mental health and overcome challenges can unearth their inner strength and use it to confirm their faith in a brighter future. Due to the seemingly pervasive isolation that Covid-19 has instilled upon much of the world, she explains how now more than ever before, we must support one another and include the importance of mental health in mainstream discourse. To learn more about the Intisar Foundation, visit https://intisarfoundation.org. To learn more about Vital Voices, visit www.vitalvoices.org. This series is inspired by our book,Vital Voices: 100 Women using their Power to Empower,edited by Alyse Nelson with art by Gayle Kabaker, published by Assouline. Host: Alyse Nelson. Executive Producer: Sofiyat Ibrahim. Producer and Editor: Maya Sternthal. Music: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod. Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?keywords=deliberate+thought. Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Chair and founding member of the Council of Women World Leaders, and current President of the Mary Robinson Foundation Climate Change joined host, Alyse Nelson for a discussion on her experience as a woman leader in Irish politics and global organizations, mental health, and the intersection between gender and the climate crisis. Based on her years of experience, President Robinson shares why she believes that the adoption of feminist leadership practices will be crucial for future leaders tasked with solving the world’s greatest challenges. Mary has dedicated her life to public service and leads based on values she learned as an avid participant in the women’s movement. Throughout her years in public facing roles, she has shown us how women lead differently – by being a respectful, non-hierarchical, observant, and empathetic leader, she effectively amplifies the voices of those on the margins of mainstream discourse. To learn more about Vital Voices, visit www.vitalvoices.org. This series is inspired by our book, Vital Voices: 100 Women using their Power to Empower, edited by Alyse Nelson with art by Gayle Kabaker, published by Assouline. Host: Alyse Nelson. Executive Producer:. Sofiyat Ibrahim Post Copy: Maya Sternthal Music: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod. Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?keywords=deliberate+thought. Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Cici Battle, social impact strategist, organizer, and facilitator, joined host, Alyse Nelson, for a discussion on Juneteenth and how the United States must move beyond performative solidarity in order to address its deep-rooted issues with race and equality. By reflecting on the events of the past year, including the murder of George Floyd, the global Pandemic, and the transition in federal administration, Cici explored the positive changes that have emerged in nation-wide discourse about race and American history. She also emphasized the need for more tangible measures like federal legislation on lynching and financial reparations to the descendants of slaves that will be crucial next steps if the United States strives to be truly cognizant of its past and committed to building a brighter future. Cici is a strong and resilient leader who has dedicated her life to supporting young leaders, the women’s movement, and transforming corporate cultures to better support the needs of marginalized groups. This Juneteenth, we encourage you to learn about the history of the holiday and use the day to reflect on the ways we can all move the charge forward for a better future. To learn more about Vital Voices, visit www.vitalvoices.org. This series is inspired by our book, Vital Voices: 100 Women using their Power to Empower, edited by Alyse Nelson with art by Gayle Kabaker, published by Assouline. Host: Alyse Nelson. Executive Producer: Sofiyat Ibrahim Post Copy: Maya Sternthal Music: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod. Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?keywords=deliberate+thought. Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Sadiqa Basiri , Founder of the Oruj Learning Center, joined host, Alyse Nelson, for a discussion on women’s rights in Afghanistan and how strong educational institutions will be crucial mechanisms to grow the next generation of Afghan leaders. Sadiqa shared how her experience of being denied the opportunity to attend medical school and living under Taliban occupation inspired her life’s work in advocating for girls’ education. And as the United States prepares to remove troops from Afghan...

TW || Former Mexican congresswomen and life-long advocate against gender-based violence in Mexico, Adriana Hinojosa Céspedes, joined the Vital Voices Podcast with host Alyse Nelson, to discuss Mexico’s ongoing femicide crisis, the strength of women in this time of uncertainty, and the hope that is generated from small steps of progress in the fight for gender equality. Through her eloquent and sensitive words, Adriana shares horrific details of the violence women and children in Mexico continue to face in many cities in Mexico. And as omen across Mexico continue calling for justice and security - to be free and safe, while leading protests around the country- they continue to remain an inspiration to many of us at Vital Voices and across the world. The world is not safe for women and without safety, we cannot have true equality. Listen to this insightful conversation to learn about Adriana’s work and how you can support the women in Mexico. To learn more about Vital Voices, visit www.vitalvoices.org. This series is inspired by our book, Vital Voices: 100 Women using their Power to Empower, edited by Alyse Nelson with art by Gayle Kabaker, published by Assouline. Host: Alyse Nelson. Executive Producer: Lizzie Kubo Kirschenbaum. Producer and Editor: Sofiyat Ibrahim Music: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod. Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?keywords=deliberate+thought. Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Visionary Entrepreneur and Co-founder of Women in Business Development Inc in Samoa, Adi Tafuna’i joined host Alyse Nelson to discuss her pioneering work revitalizing the local economy in Samoa by building female entrepreneurship using locally-sources resources and tapping into external markets. Adi and Alyse discuss the impact climate change has had on the local Samoan and Pacific Island communities, and she shares how she gives back to her local community by prioritizing the women within the community. Adi offers information on how you can support the local Samoan community and local communities and - in so doing - contribute to the empowerment of the women in the region. Listen in! To learn more about Vital Voices, visit www.vitalvoices.org. This series is inspired by our book, Vital Voices: 100 Women using their Power to Empower, edited by Alyse Nelson with art by Gayle Kabaker and a foreword by Amanda Gorman, published by Assouline. Host: Alyse Nelson. Executive Producer: Lizzie Kubo Kirschenbaum. Producer and Editor: Sofi Ibrahim Music: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod. Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?keywords=deliberate+thought. Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Career diplomat and NDI Director for Women, Gender and Democracy Sandra Pepera joined host Alyse Nelson on the podcast to discuss her career building inclusive, resilient democracy. Sandra reflected on the need to focus on creating systems that push for culture change to really secure lasting impact when it comes to greater gender equity and representation in politics around the world. She and Alyse discussed the ways that we need to support not only women leaders as individuals, but also ensure we’re valuing the elements that elevated them to leadership so that others can follow in their footsteps. Sandra shared her perspective on the increasing, targeted violence against women in politics around the world, and what she sees as the priorities for Biden’s Administration with regard to gender equity around the world. Listen in! To learn more about Vital Voices, visit www.vitalvoices.org. This series is inspired by our book, Vital Voices: 100 Women using their Power to Empower, edited by Alyse Nelson with art by Gayle Kabaker, published by Assouline. Host: Alyse Nelson. Executive Producer: Lizzie Kubo Kirschenbaum. Producer and Editor: Sofiyat Ibrahim Music: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod. Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/?keywords=deliberate+thought. Artist: http://incompetech.com/