What Makes Us Stronger Podcast
A new podcast from Women for Women International!
What makes us resilient in times of crisis? And how does conflict and hardship shape who we are?
What Makes Us Stronger features the voices of courageous women who’ve lived through unbelievably difficult times in countries like Afghanistan, Syria and South Sudan, and explores how each of them took on new roles and found the strength to keep going.
Season 2
This season is brought to you thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery with funds awarded by Postcode Justice Trust in support of women survivors of war.
Episode 7
One in three women will experience some sort of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
But there are practical steps that can be taken to end the cycle of violence against women and girls - if only governments are willing to invest in them. Hear from Dr Leyla Hussein, a renowned psychotherapist who provides support to survivors of sexual violence and is a global campaigner for gender rights.
This episode contains content you might find upsetting including references to sexual violence and FGM.
Episode 6
In Afghanistan, where women’s lives are severely restricted, defying the system can be dangerous.
In this episode of What Makes Us Stronger, Nisha talks to Nidhi Dagur, Director of Global Communications and External Events at Women for Women International who recently visited Afghanistan to find out how women there are daring to stand up for their rights, despite the risks.
Episode 5
Women in sub-Saharan Africa face the largest digital gender gap in the world
But when women access digital financial tools, the evidence shows they take control of much more than just their finances. In this episode, Elizabeth in Nigeria tells us how getting to grips with technology has changed her life in unexpected ways. Nisha also talks to Nabila Aguele, former special adviser to Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and new Women for Women International Board Director about why it’s so important for communities to close the digital gender gap.
Season 1
Episode 4
Three decades ago, one woman turned a moment of outrage into a movement
Today, the organisation Zainab Salbi started during the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina has reached over half a million women survivors of war all over the world. In this special episode, Women for Women International's CEO, Laurie Adams, travels back to Bosnia with Zainab to learn the story of how it all began and to find out why, thirty years later, the sisterhood effect is needed more than ever.
Episode 3
Even though most farm workers in developing countries are women, very few of them own the land they work on
Some rural communities ignore the law and forcibly seize land from women or prevent them from buying or inheriting land in the first place. In this episode, Nisha hears from Angelique, a Congolese woman who tried to persuade a sceptical community that she had just as much right to own land as her husband.
Episode 2
In just one year, women's lives have got a lot harder in Afghanistan
Unable to work, go to school or leave their homes without a male guardian, they are struggling to adapt to new restrictions imposed by the de facto government. In this episode, Nisha talks to Afghan women about what it feels like to lose basic freedoms and what makes them stronger against all the odds.
Episode 1
When you have to leave your home because of war, everything changes
In this episode, we'll hear from four incredible women who also happen to be refugees. At times of extreme crisis, all our guests found the reserves of strength they didn't know they had and the experience has shaped their lives and futures in ways they didn't anticipate.
How To Listen and Subscribe
What Makes Us Stronger is available wherever you get your podcasts:
What Makes YOU Stronger?
We want to hear your story of resilience too!
Write to us at media@womenforwomen.org to share what makes you stronger. Your submission may be featured on a future podcast...
Hear more stories
Regina
subtitle:
I will continue mobilising other women in the community in utilising the lessons I have learned, and I hope many more of them will be part of the training.
Zarghuna
subtitle:
One of my friends told me about Women for Women International and how it provided training for women. That’s when I learned that I wasn’t alone in my suffering. There are other women, who have the same pain.
Seve
subtitle:
Our neighbour knocked at the door and asked ‘Why are you not escaping?’ She told us that they are kidnapping girls and killing men, so we decided to run away and not take anything with us.