From the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize to the BBC 100 Women List, meet World Pulse members who have been recognized for their incredible leadership in 2023

The women who log on to World Pulse are extraordinary leaders in their communities — and the world is noticing! Today, World Pulse celebrates the achievements of World Pulse women who have received global recognition for their work championing gender equality in 2023.

Sister Zeph Wins Global Teacher Prize

World Pulse leader Sister Zeph of Pakistan received the largest annual global prize for teachers, the $1 million Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize for 2023! Sister Zeph joined World Pulse in 2013 and began sharing stories about her life’s work educating girls in Pakistan, despite great risk to her own life.

She went on to graduate from World Pulse training programs, and became a Featured Storyteller, Impact Leader, and Digital Ambassador. Today, she provides free education to more than 200 children, and offers self-defense classes, financial assistance, and digital skills training to more than 6,000 people.

Connect with her and send a note of congratulations.

Neema Namadamu Recognized in BBC 100 Women List

Congratulations to long-time World Pulse leader and disability rights advocate Neema Namadamu, who made the #BBC100Women List. Neema joined World Pulse more than a decade ago, opening the door for thousands more women in the Democratic Republic of Congo to log on, speak out, and connect to the World Pulse community.

Today Neema is being honored for her organization Hero Women Rising which is improving living conditions for thousands of women and teenage girls in the DRC. Neema joins a list of 100 inspiring influential women from around the world for 2023, alongside former US First Lady Michelle Obama, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, and more! To see the BBC's complete list, click here.

Connect with her and send her a note of congratulations.

Sally Mboumiem Receives German-Africa Prize

Kudos to World Pulse Impact Leader, Ambassador, and PIE member, Sally Mboumien for receiving the German-Africa Prize 2023! The Africa Prize is awarded by the nonpartisan German Africa Foundation to Africans selected by a jury for their commitment to democracy, peace, human rights, economic development, science, arts, culture, or society. 

Sally is the founder and executive director of the organization Common Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND), which works to realize women's and girls' rights to sexual and reproductive health. Her organization also supports young girls by providing them space to speak openly about issues directly affecting them, like productive health.

Connect with her and send a note of congratulations.

Pallabi Ghosh Wins Dadagiri Unlimited Quiz Show

World Pulse leader Pallabi Ghosh won Dadagiri Unlimited, an Indian Bengali language quiz show hosted by Sourav Ganguly. She says the most important part of the experience was having a platform to speak out about the issue of trafficking in India. Pallabi joined World Pulse in 2022, becoming a Featured Storyteller and Featured Changemaker. 

A researcher turned human rights activist, Pallabi has helped rescue more than 5,000 trafficked children and adults in India. Today she works to curb human trafficking and gender-based violence through her organization, Impact and Dialogue Foundation, which conducts grassroots outreach and trainings in the rural state of Assam to prevent trafficking, reaching more than 35,000 people.

Connect with her and send a note of congratulations.

Kirthi Jayakumar Receives Women Have Wings Award

World Pulse Head of Community Engagement Kirthi Jayakumar received the #WomenHaveWings Award. Kirthi joined World Pulse in 2011, becoming a Featured Storyteller, Impact Leader, and Spirit Award winner. Today, she is being honored for her work as a peace educator, lawyer, and feminist researcher, founding The Gender Security Project and the CRSV Observatory.

Kirthi's initiatives, including the Saahas app and bystander intervention trainings, which were developed during her time as a World Pulse Impact Leader, demonstrate her commitment to addressing gender-based violence and promoting women's rights on a global scale. Through her work, she has trained more than 36,000 people! Kirthi joins a list of 100+ women of vision, courage, and pioneering spirit!

Connect with her and send a note of congratulations.

Other Notable Awards We’re Celebrating

• Nonye Henrietta Umeh won the Federation of International Gender and Human Rights (FIGHR) Awards

• Elena Georgiou won the 2023 Hope Pyx Global International Book Awards

• E.J. Alawode won an Internet Society Mid-Career Fellowship

• Emily Miki was named a Women Leaders for the World Fellow and Rotary Positive Peace Activator

• Sophie Ngassa won an award of merit for her outstanding contribution in promoting new technologies and digital tools in the Northwest region of Cameroon and was spotlighted as one of 100 women creating impact by Wannie Kamuya