Before 1969, the US Navy did not allow female scientists onto the Antarctic continent. The Navy had established a military outpost — the McMurdo Station, America’s main base in Antarctica in 1959 — but they would not transport women to the continent. Women were not allowed in Navy ships, either.

several states that don’t already have bans on FGM are considering bills to enact them. Some have faced opposition. In Connecticut, Susan Yolen, a vice president of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Inc., argued a law might end up putting more pressure on girls who’d have to turn in their own family members.

“It’s uncomfortable to come because it’s so white,” says Rhonda Harper, a longtime surfer, and founder of the organization Black Girls Surf.

Book clubs have emerged in other Brazilian cities in the past few years, and many of them focus on the country’s contemporary women writers. It’s a testimony to the fact that. However, the recent presidential election, which put Jair Bolsonaro’s ultra-right-wing government in power, has some in the literary community concerned about what it means for women’s voices.

"Women are already facing a lot of challenges, not only in Afghanistan but around the world. When they come to the pitch, the pitch should be a place that provides them safety and a safe environment so they can play the beautiful game," said Khalida Popal, former captain of Afghanistan's national soccer team.

The outrage caused by the accusations against popular actor Juan Darthés has become part of a broader women’s rights movement, says Sol Prieto, a feminist activist and sociologist in Buenos Aires. “The women's movement in Argentina started with the #NiUnaMenos movement, [meaning] 'Not one less,' which was created in 2015 to combat femicide and gender violence,” Prieto said.

Currently, 24 countries have some form of a gender quota in government. Catalina Uribe Burcher of the Institute for Electoral Assistance in Stockholm says quotas can produce a ripple effect. “So, when women manage in some countries also to gain those positions of power and decision-making, it just not only affects the political landscape in the country but the whole perception of women in general in all other fields of life.”

Most summer days, 14-year-old Manal Taragroum says she would be stuck at home, helping with chores around the house. But not today. That’s because the energetic teenager is one of 20 young girls who has been selected to participate in a tech camp where they are learning the fundamentals of social media, digital photography and even basic coding. “This is an opportunity for them to discover something totally different from their world,” says Jamila Bargach, the head of Dar Si Hmad, the local nongovernmental organization that’s organized the 10-day tech camp.

Not only did Mushtari save that pregnant woman’s life at this hospital, but she also went on to train to become a midwife here. Today, Mushtari is a star in her profession. She’s the health adviser to Afghanistan’s first lady and a vocal advocate for maternal health in Afghanistan.

Children's rights expert Lucy Usen said girls often work at an earlier age than boys, particularly in rural communities. They especially face danger, she added. “They stand the risk of being abused, emotionally and physically,” said Usen, who is coordinator of the Child’s Protection Network. “Sometimes, they can get knocked down by vehicles. Sometimes, people lure them into uncompleted buildings and rape them. Sometimes, even in their houses, they offer to buy the whole items the girls hawk, and in return, they violate these girls.”

Jane Cavarozzi, founder of Dirty Girl coffee, has ambitious goals: she aims to bring skill-building, job-creating businesses to an area with little industrial infrastructure, as well as revitalize a dilapidated town center in a region where low incomes limit demand for her brand of fair-trade coffee. She sees economic development as integral to creating opportunities for disadvantaged women, and is also working to get more women running for local office. “There are more opportunities than people care to see,” said Cavarozzi. “And somebody has to be the town crier and be annoying.”