International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the progress made towards gender inclusivity, to call for change, and celebrate the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more inclusive future.
Through our Young Africa Works strategy, the Foundation commits to supporting young women and girls by aiming for 21 million (70 percent) of the 30 million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. This bold goal is only achievable by creating pathways and accelerating access to learning and work for young African women. Higher economic participation of young women will lead to higher spending on schooling for children, better health care, etc., with important implications for much-needed progress and growth in the long run. Through direct employment and entrepreneurship, the Foundation looks to create pathways to work for young women while addressing systemic and enabling environment challenges that hinder young women from transitioning into work and sustaining long-term employment or business opportunities.
The stories below celebrate the contributions of young women and girls in our network, including young people who have been displaced, and young people living with disabilities, as well as Foundation partners, who are catalyzing change for inclusion.
#InvestInWomen #InternationalWomensDay
Inspiring Videos of Young Female Leaders
Be Your Own Boss
Nigeria
Armande Lo Encourages the Next Generation of Agripreneurs
WAEMU
Teni Agana's Story
Ghana
Transcending Boundaries Season 1 & 2
Hosted by former Mastercard Foundation President and CEO, Reeta Roy, this podcast is a space where remarkable leaders share their stories and personal journeys, offering us a unique opportunity to learn directly from them
Accelerate Her Impact
Indigenous Women Rise
A Q&A with Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, President of First Nations University of Canada on the role Indigenous post-secondaries play in removing barriers faced by Indigenous women, creating better outcomes for everyone.
Learn more
Rachael Lawrence: Know What You Want and Go for It
For Rachael Lawrence, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs in France could not have come at a better time.
Read her story
Resala Rashid Ayoub: Opportunity knocks twice
Resala fled Sudan to South Sudan with her family at a young age when war broke out in 2011. She arrived in South Sudan with her siblings and neighbours, where, for six months, she had to fend for herself because there was no one to support her and her siblings, and her parents had not yet arrived.
Read her story
Making Waves for Change with Winfred Muchiri
Winfred Muchiri, who goes by the name DJ Wiwa, defies expectations by pursuing her passion for music while tirelessly advocating for young women with disabilities.
Read her story
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Thriving Business: Martha’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Raised by entrepreneurs as parents, Martha started her business while studying community development at Kenya’s Maasai Mara University. While still a student, she would use her pocket money to travel to Nairobi to sell baby clothes, exemplifying her business-oriented mindset at a young age.
Read her storyEmpowering Young Girls to Speak Out: The Tuseme Club Model
Named after the Swahili word “Tuseme,” meaning “let’s speak out,” Tuseme Clubs empower young girls to speak out against the gender-based challenges they face that can be significant barriers to their education.
We Are Here
Look through the photobook to read the inspiring stories
We Are Here is a documentary that showcases the transformative power of education and its ripple effects on individuals and communities. The film captures the inspiring journeys of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, highlighting how access to education—especially for young women—creates life-changing opportunities. We Are Here delves into themes of transformative leadership, entrepreneurship, climate action, and the spirit of giving back. It celebrates how these Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni are shaping their futures, driving social change, championing sustainable development, and inspiring others to pursue their dreams with determination and courage.
