WE Empower UN SDG Challenge

??Transforming Lives Through Literacy: The Empowering Journey of Mago Hasfa ?? Meet Mago Hasfa, the founder of the Read to Learn Foundation—fighting for quality education, literacy, and gender equality. Growing up in a community where relatable books were scarce, Mago witnessed firsthand how access to education can change lives. This experience ignited her commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or circumstance, has the tools to reach their full potential. As a 2024 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge Finalist for the Sub-Saharan Africa region, Mago’s innovative initiatives are breaking down barriers and creating new opportunities for children, especially in underserved communities. The Read to Learn Foundation has launched an AI-powered multilingual reading app to foster a love for reading and improve literacy skills. This initiative is helping children across diverse, remote communities access educational resources in their own languages. The foundation’s solar-powered production hubs create educational materials while reducing environmental impact. These hubs produce play-based toys, library structures, and more, empowering communities with the resources they need to thrive—while prioritizing sustainability. Mago is committed to #SDG4, #SDG, and #SDG5. The foundation provides inclusive, safe spaces for women and girls, with programs that support literacy development, leadership, and gender equality. Through their Book Drive Store, the foundation promotes books with 80% female representation, inspiring young girls to see themselves as leaders. Mago’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of literacy as a tool for change. “My personal mission is deeply rooted in creating a world where every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to quality education and the tools to reach their full potential.” – Mago Hasfa Read more about Mago’s story here: https://lnkd.in/gCej2yci Visit the Read to Learn Foundation website here: https://lnkd.in/eQUC5ur2 #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Literacy #Education #SustainableDevelopment #SDGs #GenderEquality #WeEmpower #MagoHasfa #ReadToLearnFoundation #Innovation #Impact Thank you to our incredible partners who make hashtag #WEEmpower possible. ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory Amanda Ellis Vital Voices Global Partnership BMO DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) GroYourBiz LTD Procter & Gamble RELX The Rockefeller Foundation Sa?d Business School, University of Oxford United Nations Foundation The World Bank Women, Business and the Law

“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” – Maya Angelou, American poet and civil rights activist. What are you saying "thank you" for today? This holiday season, express your gratitude with #NaTakallam’s Gift of Language, available in 9+ #languages AND now at 20% OFF: https://lnkd.in/d2mzVxqp. #WeSpeak #WordoftheDay #ThankYou #holiday #Arabic #Armenian #English #French #Kurdish #Persian #Russian #Spanish #Ukrainian #OnlineLearning #BlackFriday #Sale #Promo #Discount #Gift #EarlyBird #PreSale

???? Join the Gender-Just Transition for a Sustainable Future! ???? We are excited to amplify the launch of SHE Changes Climate’s new Gender-Just Transition Campaign, aimed at raising awareness about the critical role of women in climate action and advocating for a fair, inclusive transition to a sustainable future. #WEEmpower is happy to support our dissemination partner, SHE Changes Climate in this new program emphasizing the importance of female presence in the climate space. A sustainable future demands bold inclusivity. As we transition to a green economy, women—especially those in vulnerable sectors—must no longer be left behind. For too long, climate policies and economic shifts have excluded women’s voices, overlooking their unique challenges, strengths, and knowledge, and missing out on transformative opportunities. A gender-responsive just transition isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s critical for resilient economies and thriving communities. By advancing gender-responsiveness in climate action and fostering equitable participation in governance, countries will not only improve the inclusivity and effectiveness of national strategies, but also help build more resilient, equitable, and healthier societies, better equipped to confront the climate crisis. #COP29 holds the power to build a future that works for all of us. Let’s keep pushing for a #FairTransitionForAll. #SHEChangesClimate

?? Meet Blandine Umuziranenge – Founder of Kosmotive & 2024 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge Finalist! ?? We are proud to highlight the inspiring story of Blandine Umuziranenge, the founder & CEO of Kosmotive, a social enterprise making waves in #Rwanda and across #Africa by tackling menstrual health issues and promoting women's empowerment. Since 2014, Kosmotive has been on a mission to improve reproductive, maternal, and child health, particularly by providing sustainable solutions to menstrual health challenges faced by millions of girls and women. Driven by her own personal experiences, Blandine has become a champion for #menstrualfreedom, aiming to break the silence and stigma around menstruation in Africa. Kosmotive’s flagship product, the KosmoPad, is a reusable sanitary pad that lasts up to two years, providing an 88% savings compared to disposable pads. So far, the enterprise has improved menstrual health for over 250,000 women and girls—empowering them with access to affordable, high-quality sanitary products and health information. Kosmotive ensures that girls don't miss school due to menstruation by providing affordable sanitary pads, furthering #SDG4 (Quality Education). The enterprise also supports #SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), by producing pads with non-toxic materials and promoting recycling. With every reusable pad produced, Kosmotive is also combating climate change, reducing the pollution caused by millions of disposable pads—equivalent to the pollution from 400 million plastic bags. Kosmotive represents a movement toward menstrual freedom, empowerment, and sustainability across Africa. Join us in celebrating Blandine Umuziranenge and her commitment to making a profound impact on women’s health, economic empowerment, and the environment. Read more about her story here: https://lnkd.in/gEdRw9Ft? Visit the Kosmotive website here: https://kosmotive.rw/ #SHEChangesClimate #MenstrualHealth #SustainableDevelopment #WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenInLeadership #Empowerment #ClimateAction #SocialEnterprise #InnovationForGood Thank you to our incredible partners who make #WEEmpower possible. ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory Vital Voices Global Partnership BMO DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) GroYourBiz LTD Procter & Gamble RELX The Rockefeller Foundation Sa?d Business School, University of Oxford United Nations Foundation The World Bank Women, Business and the Law

I was honoured to participate as a speaker in the Inter-Parliamentary Union Meeting at #COP29. The sessions were inaugurated with opening remarks by Mr. Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29, and inspiring words from Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan, Ms. Tulia Ackson, IPU President, and Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC. Session 5: Harnessing Technology to Tackle Climate Change and Ensuring Fair Access, delved into the critical role of technology, including artificial intelligence, in addressing climate challenges while ensuring fair and equitable access to innovations. I was privileged to join an esteemed panel alongside Dr. Michal Nachmany, PhD, Founder and CEO of Climate Policy Radar, and Ms. Meera Al Suwaidi, Member of the Federal National Council, UAE, moderated by Mr. Fariz Ismayilzada, Member of the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan. I shared insights into how Permalution’s cutting-edge technologies are advancing sustainable water solutions in fog and cloud-prone areas, particularly in vulnerable and underserved communities, and how our solutions can contribute to countries and governments to achieve their sustainability goals. As reflected in the COP29 Outcome Document, our collective responsibility is clear: parliamentary action must bridge the gaps in technology access, climate finance, and innovation deployment to accelerate global efforts in combating climate change. I leave COP29 with a renewed commitment to turning these insights into action and fostering new partnerships to drive a sustainable, equitable future for all. Many thanks to Amanda Ellis, Karlee Johnson, Marianne Gilchrist, WE Empower UN SDG Challenge. #COP29 #ClimateAction #TechnologyForChange #InnovationForImpact #Permalution #EquitableAccess #Permalution #Quebec #Canada

Harnessing #Technology to tackle #ClimateChange at COP29 Azerbaijan. #Women #climate #solutionaries from the WE Empower UN SDG Challenge presented their innovative solutions at the 2 day summit hosted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union with SG Martin Chungong and UNFCCC UN boss Simon Stiell just wrapped up in Baku. WE Empower UN SDG Challenge awardee 2024 Tatiana Estevez CEO Permalution and global finalist Michal Nachmany, PhD CEO Climate Policy Radar showcased their innovative work to use technology to combat water scarcity and to help MPs and policy makers compare #climate laws and regulations. Our latest work from ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory with the IPU on Nationally Determined Contributions was also showcased. Updates due in February 2025! https://lnkd.in/gPeFRBXn Watch the video here https://lnkd.in/gS7PY4jq Thomas Fitzsimons Marianne Gilchrist SHE Changes Climate Antoinette Vermilye (she/her) Bianca Pitt Mamta Borgoyary Vital Voices Global Partnership Zoe Dean Smith Alyse Nelson Edda Aradottir Lina Maria Useche Jaramillo Teresa Njoroge Lach Baniya Moriah Linton MBA Barbara Mowat - GroYourBiz Ltd. President and Founder Tea Trumbic

???Calling all women entrepreneurs! WE Empower UN SDG Challenge Lead Partner, The World Bank’s?Women, Business and the Law,?has partnered with the?Cherie Blair Foundation for Women?to research and help tackle barriers facing women-owned businesses worldwide???. They invite you to please take part in this vital new research by sharing your valuable input. ??Please fill out this quick, anonymous survey by 1 December 2024???https://lnkd.in/eD6Q2rXX Women, Business and the Law #Femaleentrepreneur?#entrepreneurship?#WEEmpower #WomenEmpowerment

?? Calling all women entrepreneurs! We have partnered with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women to research and help tackle barriers facing women-owned businesses worldwide ??. We invite you to please take part in this vital new research by sharing your valuable input. ? Please fill out this quick, anonymous survey by 1 December 2024 ? https://lnkd.in/e5AXhHMu #MotivationMonday #Femaleentrepreneur #entrepreneurship

?? Empowering Change Through Innovation: Janepher Matini's Journey in Transforming Plastic Waste into Clean Energy ?? Meet Matini Janepher, co-founder of KYUKA VENTURES and a 2024 #WEEmpower UN SDG Challenge Finalist from Sub-Saharan Africa, whose work is turning Uganda’s plastic waste into sustainable fuel. Growing up in Kampala’s slum communities, Janepher faced firsthand the severe impacts of poor waste management, an experience that nearly cost her life due to cholera. Inspired by international waste management practices, she embarked on a journey to address Uganda’s waste crisis with innovative, eco-conscious solutions. Kyuka Ventures is tackling pollution and energy poverty through a circular economy approach by collecting and converting plastic waste into clean cooking fuel. Using Soot-free reactive extraction technology, they align with Uganda’s Draft Energy Policy and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative safeguards over 25,000 households from hygiene-related diseases, reduces child mortality by 35%, and improves maternal health by 65%. Through Kyuka Ventures, Janepher advances multiple SDGs: #SDG13 (Climate Action): Kyuka’s waste-to-energy innovation plays a vital role in mitigating climate impacts. #SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): With an alternative clean fuel source, they’re empowering Ugandans with sustainable energy. #SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Kyuka Ventures provides income opportunities in waste processing for marginalized youth and women, creating a sustainable economic impact in Uganda. Janepher Matini’s journey from the slums of Kampala to a leading environmental innovator is a testament to resilience, vision, and transformative impact. Her work at Kyuka Ventures reduces plastic waste, creates healthier communities, empowers women and youth, and champions sustainable development across Uganda. Read more about Janepher and her story here: https://lnkd.in/gS2BpW7a? Visit the Kyuka Ventures Innovation Hub website here: https://lnkd.in/gaktjh7y #CircularEconomy #WasteToEnergy #SDGs #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #WomenEmpowerment #ClimateAction Thank you to our incredible partners who make #WEEmpower possible. ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory Vital Voices Global Partnership BMO DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) GroYourBiz LTD Procter & Gamble RELX The Rockefeller Foundation Sa?d Business School, University of Oxford United Nations Foundation The World Bank Women, Business and the Law

Today at COP29, I had the privilege of participating in an inspiring event led by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, focused on advancing women’s leadership for impactful climate action and a just, inclusive transition. I’m deeply moved by the incredible work my fellow participants are doing across the globe, from climate mitigation and adaptation to resilience-building, including in a war zone —all while championing women’s empowerment. These remarkable women are creating real change, often in the face of systemic challenges, biases, and funding gaps that disproportionately impact women-led initiatives. It’s time to dismantle gender biases, correct the underrepresentation of women in high-level policy and decision-making roles and venues, and close the gender funding gap. Accelerating progress requires drastic action such as gender quotas, targeted financing, and stronger gender metrics in ESG reporting. Together, we can create a more inclusive, resilient world. ?? #COP29 #WomenInClimate #ClimateAction #GenderEquality