“Don't cry, strategize” with Khalida Brohi

Muslim women in Egypt are expected to marry young and to stay close to home, and if they do not, they can be subjected to abuse or heavy criticism by men in the household. Save the Children’s Choices program offers educational workshop sessions for boys and girls, ages 10 to 14, which help them explore gender identity. Through discussions, the program hopes to change gender norms.

Private dinners for only men to discuss notions of feminism and toxic masculinity have been picking up in interest across Sweden. What started in earnest following a string of assaults against women in 2016 has now become more commonplace after the #MeToo movement. Male participants testify to how comforting it is to be able to talk these issues out amongst men and figure out the best ways to act with people that they don't know as well as their own group of friends. The program now has served thousands of men across Sweden and is also publishing online guides for anyone to set up similar conversations.

A grassroots movement in Burundi has resulted in more familial bliss for households who suffered from domestic abuse. Through CARE International, a group of Burundian men are taking on toxic masculinity, entrenched cultural misogyny, and "destructive gender roles" through community meetings. Previously abusive men speak to their communities about how and why they were able to break the cycle and how their families have benefitted from a better home environment, better relationships, and even the benefit of being able to make and save more money as a result of helping their wives, instead of abusing them.

The Navy has implemented a growing technique in employment practices - called "minimal manning" - that requires employees to be quick, problem-solving jacks of all trades rather than experts in one particular area. The American workforce has shifted to adopt the expectation that employees should be able to jump from one role to another, therefore requiring fewer workers overall. The 40-person crew on the Navy's Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) rotates positions and is about one fifth of the size of a traditional crew.

Using play-based learning and positive communication lessons, an organization called Right to Play helps school children in Pakistan act less violently toward their peers. The program, which is now replicated in 18 countries around the world, aims to reduce gender-based violence and stereotyping in the classroom.

AnnieCannons, is a nonprofit that teaches sex traffic survivors computer software skills so they can be employed as developers. It also emphasizes networking and tries to secure job placement. “I’ve never been happier ... having a steady paycheck for the first time since I was like 16 and just like actual real financial security where I know I’m going to get paid every two weeks, and I can start to like just settle into my life, finally.”

Laila Haidary is breaking with tradition, she owns her own restaurant in Kabul, and forms part of a growing trend where women are owning or managing restaurants and denting the male dominated industry. “This idea in itself had its own challenges because our extremely conservative society does not always approve of artistic expressions. Added to that, the fact it is run by a businesswoman makes many people uncomfortable,” she says.”

One Nigerian couple is committed to ending female genital mutilation, or the practice of removing a women’s external genitalia. Gift and Augustine Abu travel all across Nigeria to end FGM, which can sometimes lead to death. The couple has devised a master plan, has 84 volunteers, and offer workshops to cutters so they can find alternate sources of income.

Women in Jos, Nigeria formed cross-religious peace networks and vigilante patrols that eliminated conflict deaths between 2014-2023 in their communities, restored inter-faith relationships, and reduced crime through nighttime security operations, though they face ongoing challenges from lack of police support and systemic justice failures.

A workforce development program in Washington D.C. gives locals the opportunity to intern at energy companies for on-the-job training four days a week and attend class-style training one day a week. Participants earn a living wage and graduate with the skills necessary for a full-time position in the sustainability sector.