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International award given by the BBC From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
100 Women is a BBC multi-format series established in 2013. The annual series examines the role of women in the 21st century and has included events in London[1] and Mexico.[2][3] Announcement of the list is the start of an international "BBC's women season", lasting three weeks including broadcast, online reports, debates and journalism on the topic of women.[4] Women around the world are encouraged to participate via social media and comment on the list, as well as on the interviews and debates that follow release of the list.[5]
100 Women | |
---|---|
Status | Active |
Frequency | Annually |
Years active | 2013–present |
Inaugurated | 22 October 2013 |
Most recent | December 2024 |
Website | 100 Women |
After the 2012 Delhi gang rape, then BBC Controller Liliane Landor,[6] BBC editor Fiona Crack[7] and other journalists, were inspired to create a series focusing on the issues and achievements of women in society today.[8] They felt that many of the issues women faced were not getting in-depth coverage, and in March 2013 a "flood of feedback from female listeners" was received by the BBC to the effect that the corporation should provide more "content from and about women."[9]
The BBC launched this series in 2013 to address the under-representation of women in the media.[8][10] Women to participate in the first programme were chosen by survey in 26 different language services.[9] Programming ran over the course of a month, culminating in a conference held on 25 October, in which 100 women from across the world discussed issues they shared. A wide range of topics were debated covering employment challenges, feminism, motherhood, and religion,[11] to examine both the cultural and social challenges women faced in living their lives.[12]
The series has since covered many topics, including education, healthcare, equal pay, genital mutilation, domestic violence, and sexual abuse[13] and seeks to provide women with a platform to discuss how to improve the world and eliminate sexism.[14] Women included on the list are from around the globe, and involved in diverse fields of endeavour.[15] Women who are already famous are included, as well as people who are less known.[16][17]
The 2024 list was released on 3 December and included women facing conflicts and humanitarian crises. The 2024 list was subdivided into five categories, including 11 in the category Climate Pioneers.[18]
Image | Name | Country | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Maheder Haileselassie | Ethiopia | Photographer | |
Nejla Işık | Turkey | Village head and forest campaigner | |
Adenike Titilope Oladosu | Nigeria | Climate justice advocate | |
Inna Modja | Mali | Artist and climate advocate | |
Enas Al-Ghoul | Palestinian Territories | Agricultural engineer | |
Shilshila Acharya | Nepal | Sustainability entrepreneur | |
Naomi Chanda | Zambia | Farmer and trainer | |
Rosmarie Wydler-Wälti | Switzerland | Teacher and climate campaigner | |
Sasha Luccioni | Canada | Computer scientist | |
Rosa Vásquez Espinoza | Peru | Chemical biologist | |
Brigitte Baptiste | Colombia | Ecologist |
Image | Name | Country | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Olivia McVeigh | United Kingdom | Make-up artist | |
Christina Assi | Lebanon | Photojournalist | |
Dilorom Yuldosheva | Uzbekistan | Seamstress and businesswoman | |
Xuân Phượng | Vietnam | Film director, author, gallery owner | |
Eugenia Bonetti | Italy | Nun | |
Lesley Lokko | Ghana/United Kingdom | Architect | |
Su Min | China | Road tripper and influencer | |
Anat Hoffman | Israel | Religious campaigner | |
Hinda Abdi Mohamoud | Somalia | Journalist | |
Svetlana Anokhina | Russia | Human rights campaigner | |
Hamida Aman | Afghanistan | Media and education entrepreneur | |
Johana Bahamón | Colombia | Social activist | |
Idania del Río | Cuba | Fashion entrepreneur | |
Helen Molyneux | United Kingdom | Co-founder, Monumental Welsh Women | |
Shin Daewe | Myanmar | Filmmaker | |
Cristina Rivera Garza | Mexico/United States | Writer | |
Shahrnush Parsipur | Iran/United States | Writer and translator | |
Plestia Alaqad | Palestinian Territories | Journalist and poet | |
Zhanylsynzat Turganbaeva | Kyrgyzstan | Museum manager | |
Sharon Kleinbaum | United States | Rabbi | |
Margarita Barrientos | Argentina | Soup kitchen founder | |
Yasmeen Mjalli | Palestinian Territories | Designer | |
Tracey Emin | United Kingdom | Artist | |
Roxy Murray | United Kingdom | Disability rights advocate | |
Maheder Haileselassie | Ethiopia | Photographer | |
Pooja Sharma | India | Performer of funerary rites | |
Linda Dröfn Gunnarsdóttir | Iceland | Women’s shelter manager | |
Harbia Al Himiary | Yemen | Heritage conservation engineer | |
Maria Teresa Horta | Portugal | Poet |
Image | Name | Country | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Vinesh Phogat | India | Wrestler | |
Joan Chelimo Melly | Kenya/Romania | Long-distance runner | |
Hend Sabry | Tunisia | Actress | |
Naomi Watanabe | Japan | Comedian | |
Gaby Moreno | Guatemala | Latin-pop musician | |
Allyson Felix | United States | Track and field athlete | |
Zakia Khudadadi | Afghanistan | Taekwondo Paralympian | |
Noella Wiyaala Nwadei | Ghana | Afro-pop musician | |
Tracy Otto | United States | Archer | |
Hadiqa Kiani | Pakistan | Singer and songwriter | |
Zhiying (Tania) Zeng | Chile | Table tennis player | |
Raye | United Kingdom | Singer | |
Sharon Stone | United States | Actress | |
Elaha Soroor | Afghanistan | Singer and composer | |
Firda Marsya Kurnia | Indonesia | Heavy metal musician | |
Chloé Zhao | United Kingdom | Film director | |
Rebeca Andrade | Brazil | Gymnast | |
Inna Modja | Mali | Artist and climate advocate | |
Madison Tevlin | Canada | Talk-show host and model |
Image | Name | Country | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Aruna Roy | India | Social activist | |
Angela Rayner | United Kingdom | Deputy Prime Minister | |
Feng Yuan | China | Women's rights advocate | |
Guerline M. Jozef | Haiti | Immigration rights campaigner | |
Hala Alkarib | Sudan | Activist against sexual violence in war | |
Danielle Cantor | Israel/Palestinian Territories | Cultural activist | |
Fawzia al-Otaibi | Saudi Arabia/United Kingdom | Women’s rights campaigner | |
Nejla Işık | Turkey | Village head and forest campaigner | |
Katherine Martínez | Venezuela | Human rights lawyer | |
Kemi Badenoch | United Kingdom | Leader of the Conservative party | |
Yumi Suzuki | Japan | Plaintiff in forced sterilisation lawsuit | |
Nadia Murad | Iraq | Nobel Peace Prize laureate | |
Gisèle Pelicot | France | Rape survivor | |
Huang Jie | Taiwan | Politician | |
Annie Sinanduku Mwange | DR Congo | Miner | |
Susan Collins | United States | Senator | |
Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera | Uganda | Diversity and inclusion campaigner | |
Einav Zangauker | Israel | Hostage release campaigner | |
Rosmarie Wydler-Wälti | Switzerland | Teacher and climate campaigner | |
Mahrang Baloch | Pakistan | Medical doctor and political activist | |
Latisha McCrudden | Ireland | Irish Traveller Movement activist | |
Ann Chumaporn (Waaddao) | Thailand | LGBTQ+ rights campaigner | |
Lilia Chanysheva | Russia | Political activist and ex prisoner | |
Zhina Modares Gorji | Iran | Women’s rights campaigner | |
Amanda Zurawski | United States | Reproductive rights advocate | |
Ruth López | El Salvador | Lawyer | |
Lourdes Barreto | Brazil | Campaigner for sex workers’ rights | |
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke | New Zealand | Politician |
Image | Name | Country | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Enas Al-Ghoul | Palestinian Territories | Agricultural engineer | |
Kauna Malgwi | Nigeria | Union leader for content moderators | |
Olga Rudnieva | Ukraine | Founder, Superhumans Centre | |
Olga Olefirenko | Ukraine | Farmer | |
Sasha Luccioni | Canada | Computer scientist | |
Rikta Akter Banu | Bangladesh | Nurse and school founder | |
Shireen Abed | Palestinian Territories | Paediatrician | |
Silvana Santos | Brazil | Biologist | |
Brigitte Baptiste | Colombia | Ecologist | |
Sara Berkai | United Kingdom/Eritrea | Designer of DIY science kits | |
Georgina Long | Australia | Medical oncologist | |
Katalin Karikó | Hungary | Biochemist and Nobel laureate | |
Nour Emam | Egypt | Fem-tech entrepreneur | |
Adenike Titilope Oladosu | Nigeria | Climate justice advocate | |
Subin Park | South Korea | Founder, Stair Crusher Club | |
Gabriela Salas Cabrera | Mexico | Programmer and data scientist | |
Naomi Chanda | Zambia | Farmer and trainer | |
Safa Ali | Sudan | Obstetrician | |
Sneha Revanur | United States | AI expert | |
Samia | Syria | Psychology counsellor | |
Shilshila Acharya | Nepal | Sustainability entrepreneur | |
Sunita Williams | United States | Astronaut | |
Rosa Vásquez Espinoza | Peru | Chemical biologist |
The 2023 list was released on 21 November and it included 21 women involved with climate change. The laureates included the Indian cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur, Aitana Bonmatí, Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney, Timnit Gebru, Trần Gấm and Huda Kattan. The list was subdivided into four categories: Culture & Education, Entertainment & Sport, Politics & Advocacy and Science, Health & Tech, with 28 of the laureates dubbed climate pioneers (shown as green rows below).[19]
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Maryam Al-Khawaja | Bahrain (also a citizen of Denmark) | Human rights campaigner, board member of Civicus and the International Service for Human Rights | |
Shamsa Araweelo | Somalia (also a citizen of the UK) | Anti-FGM campaigner | |
Yasmina Benslimane | Morocco | Founder of Politics4Her and gender equality campaigner | |
Yael Braudo-Bahat | Israel | Peace activist and co-director at Women Wage Peace | |
Alicia Cahuiya | Ecuador | Indigenous rights activist | |
Amal Clooney | Lebanon (also a citizen of the UK) | Human rights lawyer | |
Dehenna Davison | UK | Member of Parliament | |
Christiana Figueres | Costa Rica | Diplomat and climate policy negotiator with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | |
Bella Galhos | East Timor | Political activist and LGBTQ+ rights advocate | |
Rina Gonoi[20] | Japan | Former military officer and anti-sexual harassment activist | |
Sonia Guajajara | Brazil | State minister for native peoples and indigenous rights campaigner | |
Renita Holmes | USA | Housing rights campaigner | |
Nataša Kandić | Serbia | Lawyer and human rights activist. Founder of the Humanitarian Law Center | |
Rukshana Kapali | Nepal | Housing rights campaigner and transgender human rights activist | |
Sofia Kosachyova | Russia | Firefighter | |
Monica McWilliams | UK | Former politician and peace negotiator during the Good Friday Agreement talks. Co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition | |
Najla Mohamed-Lamin | Western Sahara | Women's rights and climate activist in the Saharawi refugee camps | |
Ulanda Mtamba | Malawi | Campaigner against child marriage | |
Tamar Museridze | Georgia | Investigative journalist | |
Neema Namadamu | Democratic Republic of Congo | Disability rights campaigner | |
Michelle Obama | USA | Attorney, author and campaigner | |
Sepideh Rashnu[21] | Iran | Writer and artist | |
Bernadette Smith | Canada | Advocate for families of missing indigenous women and girls. Co-founder of Drag the Red | |
Iryna Stavchuk | Ukraine | Climate policy adviser at the European Climate Foundation | |
Gloria Steinem | USA | Feminist leader and co-founder of Ms. magazine | |
Summia Tora | Afghanistan | Refugee rights campaigner | |
Xu Zaozao | China | Egg freezing campaigner. Advocate for single women's reproductive rights and bodily autonomy |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Aitana Bonmatí | Spain | Footballer, winner of the Ballon d'Or and former UEFA player of the year | |
Antinisca Cenci | Italy | Equestrian vaulter | |
Andreza Delgado | Brazil | Curator and cultural manager. Co-founder of PerifaCon | |
Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi | Indonesia | Speed climber | |
America Ferrera | USA | Actor and Latino rights advocate | |
Anne Grall | France | Comedian | |
Georgia Harrison | UK | TV personality. Anti-revenge porn campaigner | |
Harmanpreet Kaur | India | Cricketer | |
Dayeon Lee | South Korea | Climate change campaigner for Kpop4Planet | |
Justina Miles | USA | Deaf performer | |
Dia Mirza | India | Actor. Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme and a board member of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation | |
Zandile Ndhlovu | South Africa | Freediving instructor | |
Alice Oseman | UK | Award-winning author, illustrator and screenwriter | |
Paramida | Germany | DJ and music producer | |
Camila Pirelli | Paraguay | Olympic heptathlete and EcoAthlete Champion | |
Aziza Sbaity | Lebanon | Sprinter | |
Khine Hnin Wai | Myanmar | Actor and activist | |
Bianca Williams | UK | Athlete |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Afroze-Numa | Pakistan | Shepherdess | |
Hosai Ahmadzai | Afghanistan | TV presenter on Shamshad TV | |
Esi Buobasa | Ghana | Fishmonger | |
Chila Kumari Burman | UK | Artist | |
Paulina Chiziane | Mozambique | Writer. Winner of the Camões Prize | |
Susanne Etti | Australia | Sustainable tourism expert | |
Licia Fertz | Italy | Anti-ageism, feminism and LGBTQ+ activist | |
Jannatul Ferdous | Bangladesh | Burns survivor, film-maker, writer and disability rights campaigner | |
Natalia Idrisova | Tajikistan | Green energy consultant | |
Vee Kativhu | Zimbabwe (also a citizen of the UK) | Content creator and YouTuber | |
Huda Kattan | USA | Founder of Huda Beauty | |
Sophia Kianni | USA | Student and social entrepreneur | |
Arati Kumar-Rao | India | Photographer | |
Louise Mabulo | Philippines | Farmer and entrepreneur. Recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme as a Young Champion of the Earth | |
Marijeta Mojašević | Montenegro | Disability rights activist | |
Sarah Ott | USA | School teacher and climate change ambassador with the National Center for Science Education | |
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo[22] | UK (citizen of India) | Bhikṣuṇī buddhist nun | |
Lala Pasquinelli | Argentina | Artist, lawyer, poet, lesbian and feminist activist | |
Jess Pepper | UK | Founder of Climate Café and fellow of the Royal Society of Arts | |
Matcha Phorn-in | Thailand | Campaigner for indigenous and LGBTQ+ rights | |
Carolina Díaz Pimentel | Peru | Journalist specialising in neurodivergence and mental health coverage | |
Shairbu Sagynbaeva | Kyrgyzstan | Co-founder of For Life sewing shop | |
Daria Serenko | Russia | Poet, writer and political activist. Member of Feminist Anti-War resistance | |
Kera Sherwood-O'Regan | New Zealand | Indigenous rights and disability advocate | |
Sagarika Sriram | United Arab Emirates | Educator and climate adviser | |
Clara Elizabeth Fragoso Ugarte | Mexico | Truck driver | |
Oksana Zabuzhko | Ukraine | Writer |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Basima Abdulrahman | Iraq | Green building entrepreneur | |
Bayang | China | Diarist and sustainability advocate | |
Amina Al-Bish | Syria | Volunteer rescue worker with the Syria Civil Defence | |
Rumaitha Al Busaidi | Oman | Scientist | |
Sara Al-Saqqa | Palestine | General surgeon | |
Susan Chomba | Kenya | Scientist and director at the World Resources Institute | |
Leanne Cullen-Unsworth | UK | Marine scientist | |
Canan Dagdeviren[23][24] | Turkey | Scientist and inventor | |
Izabela Dłużyk | Poland | Sound recordist | |
Marcela Fernández | Colombia | Expedition guide | |
Anamaría Font Villarroel | Venezuela | Particle physicist | |
Trần Gấm | Vietnam | Biogas business owner | |
Timnit Gebru | Ethiopia (citizen of USA) | AI expert | |
Claudia Goldin | USA | Economist and recipient of Nobel Prize in Economics | |
Anna Huttunen | Finland | Carbon impact tech expert | |
Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka | Uganda | Veterinarian and conservationist. Founder of Conservation Through Public Health. Recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme as a Champion of the Earth in 2021 | |
Sonia Kastner | USA | Wildfire detection tech developer | |
Astrid Linder | Sweden | Professor of traffic safety | |
Neha Mankani | Pakistan | Midwife | |
Wanjira Mathai | Kenya | Environmental adviser. Former leader of the Green Belt Movement. Managing director for Africa & Global Partnerships at the World Resources Institute and adviser to the Clean Cooking Alliance and the European Climate Foundation | |
Isabel Farías Meyer | Chile | Journalist and early menopause campaigner | |
Natalie Psaila | Malta | Medical doctor | |
Olena Rozvadovska | Ukraine | Children's rights advocate | |
Sumini | Indonesia | Forest manager | |
Fabiola Trejo | Mexico | Social psychologist | |
Jennifer Uchendu | Nigeria | Mental health advocate. Founder of SustyVibes | |
Qiyun Woo | Singapore | Storyteller and environmentalist | |
Elham Youssefian | Iran (citizen of USA) | Human rights lawyer, adviser on climate and adviser on disability to the International Disability Alliance |
The list for 2022 was released on 6 December. Women included this year were Olena Zelenska of Ukraine, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, the singer Billie Eilish, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Selma Blair, Lina Abu Akleh, Alla Pugacheva, Elnaz Rekabi and Yulimar Rojas. The list was subdivided into four categories: Culture & Sport, Activism & Advocacy, Politics & Education and Health & Science.[25]
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Maeen Al-Obaidi | Yemen | Lawyer and mediator | |
Fatima Amiri | Afghanistan | Student | |
Nathalie Becquart | France (also a citizen of the Vatican City) | Nun in the Congregation of Xavières and first ever female Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops. | |
Taisia Bekbulatova | Russia | Journalist. Founder of the independent media outlet Holod | |
Kristina Berdynskykh | Ukraine | Journalist | |
María Fernanda Castro Maya | Mexico | Disability rights advocate | |
Chanel[26] Contos | Australia | Sexual consent activist | |
Eva Copa | Bolivia | Politician and mayor of El Alto of Aymara descent | |
Joy Ezeilo | Nigeria | Law professor and former United Nations special rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons | |
Ibijoke Faborode | Nigeria | Founder of ElectHER | |
Erika Hilton | Brazil | Politician and campaigner for black and LGBT rights. The first black trans woman ever elected to a seat in the National Congress of Brazil | |
Park Ji-hyun | South Korea | Political reformer | |
Zahra Joya | Afghanistan | Journalist and founder of Rukhshana Media | |
Ursula von der Leyen | Germany | First ever female President of the European Commission | |
Naomi Long | Northern Ireland (uses a UK passport) | Politician and former Lord Mayor of Belfast | |
Ayesha Malik | Pakistan | First female judge on the Supreme Court of Pakistan | |
Zara Mohammadi | Iran | Kurdish language educator | |
Mia Mottley | Barbados | First female Prime Minister of Barbados | |
Sepideh Qoliyan | Iran | Political campaigner and workers’ rights advocate | |
Roza Salih | Iraq (active in Scotland, UK) | Politician and member of activist group the Glasgow Girls | |
Simone Tebet | Brazil | Member of the Brazilian Federal Senate | |
Kisanet Tedros | Eritrea | Educational entrepreneur and Tigrinyan digital content creator | |
Cheng Yen | Taiwan | Buddhist philanthropist, founder of the Tzu Chi humanitarian organisation | |
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe | Iran (also a citizen of the UK) | Charity worker | |
Olena Zelenska | Ukraine | Incumbent First Lady, architect and screenwriter |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Dima Aktaa | Syria | Refugee and parathlete | |
Zar Amir Ebrahimi | Iran | Actor and founder of Alambic Productions | |
Selma Blair | USA | Actor and multiple sclerosis awareness campaigner | |
Ona Carbonell | Spain | Olympic medal winning synchronised swimmer | |
Sarah Chan | South Sudan | NBA scout and former professional basketball player. Advocate for education and sports | |
Priyanka Chopra | India | Actor and producer. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, campaigning for children's rights and education for girls | |
Billie Eilish | USA | Singer and songwriter | |
Ons Jabeur | Tunisia | Tennis player | |
Sneha Jawale | India | Social worker | |
Reema Juffali | Saudi Arabia | Racing driver and founder of Theeba Motorsport | |
Kadri Keung | Hong Kong | Fashion designer | |
Miky Lee | South Korea | Producer, architect of KCON music festival and vice-chair of CJ ENM | |
Laura McAllister | Wales UK | Professor and former footballer. LGBTQ+ sports ambassador | |
Milli | Thailand | Rap artist | |
Rita Moreno | Puerto Rico USA | EGOT winning actor | |
Salima Rhadia Mukansanga | Rwanda | Football referee | |
Alla Pugacheva | Russia | Musician | |
Elnaz Rekabi | Iran | Climber, appeared at the Asian Championships without a hijab in violation of Iranian law and was arrested as her action was interpreted by the Iranian government as a silent protest against the law in the context of feminist protesters in Iran at the time | |
Yulimar Rojas | Venezuela | Olympic medal winning triple jumper and LGBTQ+ rights advocate | |
Sally Scales | Australia | Pitjantjatjaran artist | |
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah | Ghana | Writer and feminist activist | |
Geetanjali Shree | India | Author and winner of the International Booker Prize | |
Alexandra Skochilenko | Russia | Artist, imprisoned by the Russian government for protesting against the Russian invasion of Ukraine | |
Velia Vidal | Colombia | Writer and El Chocó cultural and education campaigner | |
Esraa Warda | Algeria USA | Dancer and proponent of raï, a grassroots genre historically associated with social protest |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Lina Abu Akleh | Palestine | Human rights advocate | |
Velmariri Bambari | Indonesia | Activist and women's rights campaigner | |
Tarana Burke | USA | Activist. Started the MeToo movement. | |
Sanjida Islam Choya | Bangladesh | Student | |
Heidi Crowter | UK | Disability rights campaigner with an emphasis on Down syndrome | |
Sandya Eknelygoda | Sri Lanka | Human rights activist | |
Gohar Eshghi | Iran | Civil activist and Iranian Complainant Mother | |
Ceci Flores | Mexico | Activist and member of the Madres Buscadoras de Sonora collective | |
Geraldina Guerra Garcés | Ecuador | Women's rights and anti-femicide activist | |
Moud Goba | UK | Refugee and LGBTQ+ rights activist. Founding member of UK Black Pride | |
Women cutting their hair | Iran | Group protesting against Iranian laws against women, (especially the law mandating that women wear a hijab at all times) and against its restrictive laws and theocratic government in general | |
Gehad Hamdy | Egypt | Dentist and humanitarian | |
Judith Heumann | USA | Disability rights advocate | |
Jebina Yasmin Islam | UK | Campaigner for women's safety | |
Layli (pseudonym) | Iran | Protester | |
Hadizatou Mani | Niger | Anti-slavery campaigner | |
Oleksandra Matviichuk | Ukraine | Human rights lawyer and pro-democracy activist at the Center for Civil Liberties. Helps Ukraine document proof of Russian atrocities resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. | |
Narges Mohammadi | Iran | Journalist and human rights campaigner. Vice-president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center | |
Tamana Zaryab Paryani | Afghanistan | Human rights activist | |
Alice Pataxó | Brazil | Indigenous rights activist and climate campaigner | |
Roya Piraei | Iran | Kurdish rights activist | |
Yuliia Sachuk | Ukraine | Disability rights advocate | |
Suvada Selimović | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Peace campaigner | |
Efrat Tilma | Israel | Transgender volunteer and LGBTQ+ activist | |
Zhou Xiaoxuan | China | Feminist activist |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Aye Nyein Thu | Myanmar | Medical doctor | |
Sirisha Bandla | India | Aeronautical engineer | |
Victoria Baptiste | USA | Nurse and vaccine educator. WHO Goodwill Ambassador for cervical cancer elimination | |
Niloufar Bayani | Iran | Ecologist and programme manager at the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation | |
Sandy Cabrera Arteaga | Honduras | Sexual and reproductive rights advocate | |
Samrawit Fikru | Ethiopia | Tech entrepreneur | |
Wegahta Gebreyohannes Abera | Ethiopia | Humanitarian aid worker | |
Dilek Gürsoy | Germany | Heart surgeon | |
Sofía Heinonen | Argentina | Conservationist | |
Kimiko Hirata | Japan | Climate change activist. Recipient of Goldman Environmental Prize | |
Judy Kihumba | Kenya | Sign language interpreter | |
Marie Christina Kolo | Madagascar | Climate entrepreneur and ecofeminist | |
Iryna Kondratova | Ukraine | Paediatrician at the Kharkiv Regional Perinatal Centre | |
Asonele Kotu | South Africa | Tech entrepreneur | |
Erika Liriano | Dominican Republic | Cocoa entrepreneur. | |
Naja Lyberth | Greenland | Psychologist and trauma therapist | |
Nigar Marf | Iraq | Nurse | |
Monica Musonda | Zambia | Businesswoman and nutrition advocate | |
Ifeoma Ozoma | USA | Public policy and tech specialist | |
Yuliia Paievska | Ukraine | Paramedic and founder of Taira's Angels | |
Jane Rigby | USA | Astronomer and astrophysicist. Advocate for equity and inclusion in STEM | |
Ainura Sagyn | Kyrgyzstan | Computer engineer and ecofeminist | |
Monica Simpson | USA | Reproductive justice activist. Executive director of SisterSong | |
Maryna Viazovska | Ukraine | Mathematician. Winner of the Fields Medal | |
Yana Zinkevych | Ukraine | Politician, front-line medical volunteer and military veteran |
The 2021 list was published on 7 December with special focus on Afghanistan. The year's keyword is reset, covering women who have contributed to "playing their part to reinvent our society, our culture and our world". The list was subdivided into four categories: Culture & Education, Entertainment & Sport, Politics & Activism and Science & Health, with half the total laureates being Afghan.[27]
Not everyone's real name was used for their safety; pseudonymised laureates are marked in the table below with an asterisk.
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Lima Aafshid | Afghanistan | Poet and writer | |
Oluyemi Adetiba-Orija[28] | Nigeria | Lawyer and founder of the all-women law firm Headfort Foundation | |
Rada Akbar | Afghanistan | Artist | |
Catherine Corless | Ireland | Local historian | |
Pashtana Durrani | Afghanistan | Teacher, founder and executive director of Learn Afghanistan | |
Saeeda Etebari | Afghanistan | Jewellery designer | |
Sahar Fetrat | Afghanistan | Feminist activist, writer and film-maker | |
Melinda French Gates | United States | Philanthropist and businesswoman | |
Saghi Ghahraman | Iran | Poet and co-founder the Iranian Queer Organization | |
Angela Ghayour | Afghanistan | Teacher and founder of The Herat Online School | |
Najlla Habibyar | Afghanistan | Entrepreneur | |
Shamsia Hassani | Afghanistan | Street artist | |
Mugdha Kalra | India | Autism-rights activist and co-founder of Not That Different | |
Freshta Karim | Afghanistan | Children's-rights activist and founder of Charmaghz mobile library | |
Aliya Kazimy | Afghanistan | Educator | |
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC | United Kingdom | Director, International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute | |
Iman Le Caire | Egypt | Contemporary dancer, choreographer and LGBTQ+ activist. Founder, Trans Asylias | |
Depelsha Thomas McGruder | United States | Founder of Moms of Black Boys United, COO of the Ford Foundation | |
Fahima Mirzaie | Afghanistan | Whirling-dervish dancer | |
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie[28] | Nigeria | Writer | |
Lynn Ngugi[28] | Kenya | Journalist | |
Rehana Popal | Afghanistan | Barrister | |
*Rohila | Afghanistan | Schoolgirl | |
Alba Rueda | Argentina | Trans activist | |
Elif Shafak | France | Novelist and advocate for women's and LGBTQ+ rights | |
Anisa Shaheed | Afghanistan | Journalist | |
Mina Smallman | United Kingdom | Priest and educator | |
Barbara Smolińska | Poland | Founder of Reborn Sugar Babies | |
Adelaide Lala Tam | China | Artist and food designer | |
Vera Wang | United States | Fashion designer | |
Malala Yousafzai | Pakistan | Nobel Peace Prize laureate, co-founder of the Malala Fund and girls’ education activist |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Halima Aden | Kenya | Humanitarian and former model. UNICEF ambassador for children's rights. | |
Leena Alam | Afghanistan | Actor and human-rights activist | |
Sevda Altunoluk | Turkey | Professional goalball player and Paralympic champion | |
Nilofar Bayat | Afghanistan | Wheelchair basketball player and advocate for women with disabilities | |
Carolina García | Argentina | Director, Netflix | |
Ghawgha Taban | Afghanistan | Musician | |
Chloé Lopes Gomes | France | Ballet dancer | |
Tanya Muzinda[29] | Zimbabwe | Motocross champion | |
*Razma | Afghanistan | Musician | |
Roya Sadat | Afghanistan | Film-maker | |
Shogufa Safi | Afghanistan | Orchestra conductor | |
*Sahar | Afghanistan | Footballer | |
Fatima Sultani | Afghanistan | Mountaineer and martial arts expert | |
Nanfu Wang | China | Film-maker | |
Ming-Na Wen | Macau ( China) |
Actor | |
Rebel Wilson | Australia | Actress, writer and producer |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Muqadasa Ahmadzai | Afghanistan | Social and political activist. Recipient of N-Peace award | |
Abia Akram | Pakistan | Disability rights activist | |
Dr Alema | Afghanistan | Philosopher, campaigner and women's-rights advocate | |
Wahida Amiri | Afghanistan | Librarian and protester | |
Natasha Asghar | United Kingdom | Member of the Welsh Senedd | |
Marcelina Bautista | Mexico | Activist and union leader | |
Crystal Bayat | Afghanistan | Social activist and human-rights advocate | |
Razia Barakzai | Afghanistan | Protester | |
Najla El Mangoush | United Kingdom Libya |
Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
Shila Ensandost | Afghanistan | Teacher and women's rights advocate | |
Fatima Gailani | Afghanistan | Peace negotiator | |
Momena Ibrahimi | Afghanistan | Policewoman | |
Hoda Khamosh | Iran | Period campaigner, poet and journalist | |
Elisa Loncón Antileo | Chile | President, Constitutional Convention | |
*Maral | Afghanistan | Campaigner | |
*Masouma | Afghanistan | Public prosecutor | |
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa | Samoa | Prime minister of the Independent State of Samoa | |
Salima Mazari | Iran | Politician and former governor of Charkint district | |
Amanda Nguyen | United States | Social entrepreneur, civil-rights activist and founder of Rise | |
Basira Paigham | Afghanistan | Gender-equality and gender-minorities activist | |
Monica Paulus | Papua New Guinea | Campaigner against sorcery accusation-related violence | |
Manjula Pradeep | India | Lawyer and human-rights activist. Executive director of the Navsarjan Trust | |
Halima Sadaf Karimi | Afghanistan | Campaigner for women's rights, politician and former MP | |
Soma Sara | United Kingdom | Founder of Everyone's Invited | |
Mahbouba Seraj | Afghanistan | Women's and children's rights activist. Founder, Afghan Women's Network | |
*Ein Soe May | Myanmar | Pro-democracy activist | |
Piper Stege Nelson | United States | Women's-rights activist and Public Strategies Officer at The Safe Alliance | |
Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng[30] | Myanmar | Catholic nun | |
Emma Theofelus | Namibia | Politician | |
Benafsha Yaqoobi | Afghanistan | Disabled rights advocate | |
Zala Zazai | Afghanistan | Policewoman |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Mónica Araya | Costa Rica | Emissions-free transportation advocate | |
Zuhal Atmar | Afghanistan | Entrepreneur and founder of Gul-e-Mursal recycling | |
Jos Boys | United Kingdom | Architect | |
Faiza Darkhani | Afghanistan | Environmentalist and women's rights advocate | |
Azmina Dhrodia | Canada | Safety policy lead at Bumble | |
Jamila Gordon | Somalia | Chief Executive and founder of Lumachain | |
Laila Haidari | Pakistan | Women's rights advocate and founder of Mother Camp, drug rehabilitation centre | |
Zarlasht Halaimzai | Afghanistan | Co-founder and chief executive of Refugee Trauma Initiative | |
Nasrin Husseini | Afghanistan | Veterinarian | |
Amena Karimyan | Afghanistan | Astronomer | |
Mia Krisna Pratiwi | Indonesia | Environmentalist and eco-activist | |
Heidi Larson | United States | Anthropologist and Director of The Vaccine Confidence Project. Recipient of the Edinburgh Medal | |
Sevidzem Ernestine Leikeki | Cameroon | Climate activist | |
*Mahera | Afghanistan | Medical doctor | |
Mulu Mesfin | Ethiopia | Nurse | |
Mohadese Mirzaee | Afghanistan | Pilot | |
Tlaleng Mofokeng | South Africa | Universal health access advocate and United Nations special rapporteur on the right to health | |
Natalia Pasternak Taschner | Brazil | Microbiologist and science writer | |
*Ruksana | Afghanistan | Surgeon | |
Sara Wahedi | Afghanistan | Chief executive of Ehtesab | |
Roshanak Wardak | Afghanistan | Gynaecologist and former Member of Parliament | |
Yuma | Turkmenistan | Psychotherapist and LGBTQ+ activist |
The 2020 list was described as "different" before it was scheduled to be announced on 24 November 2020,[31] but it was released the day before. One name on the list was left blank as a tribute to the countless women around the world who had made sacrifices to help others. The list was subdivided into four categories: Knowledge, Leadership, Creativity and Identity.[32]
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description[33] |
---|---|---|---|
Unsung hero | Worldwide | Acknowledgement of the "countless women around the world" who "have made a sacrifice to help others" in this "extraordinary year," including those who "have lost their lives while making a difference." |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Rina Akter | Bangladesh | Bangladeshi sex worker turned humanitarian | |
Sarah Al-Amiri | UAE | Chair, UAE Space Agency | |
Adriana Albini | Italy | Pathologist and veteran fencer | |
Nisreen Alwan | Iraq | Health and wellbeing of women through public health | |
Elizabeth Anionwu | United Kingdom | Sickle cell and thalassaemia nurse specialist | |
Diana Barran | United Kingdom | Minister for Civil Society and founder of SafeLives, a national charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse | |
Macinley Butson | Australia | Inventor | |
Fang Fang | China | Writer | |
Somaya Faruqi | Afghanistan | Robotics team leader | |
Lauren Gardner | USA | Epidemiologist | |
Iman Ghaleb Al-Hamli | Yemen | Manager of a women-run microgrid | |
Sarah Gilbert | United Kingdom | Scientist who developed one of the COVID-19 vaccines | |
Rebeca Gyumi | Tanzania | Lawyer and founder of girls' rights organization Msichana Initiative | |
Jemimah Kariuki | Kenya | Doctor and creator of the free Wheels for Life ambulance service | |
Safaa Kumari | Syria | Plant virologist | |
Ishtar Lakhani | South Africa | Feminist activist | |
Lucy Monaghan | United Kingdom | Campaigner against sexual violence | |
Douce Namwezi N'Ibamba | DRC | Social entrepreneur, journalist and activist | |
Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu | Uganda | Mental health programme developer | |
Vernetta M Nay Moberly | United States | Iñupiaq environmental activist | |
Sania Nishtar[34] | Pakistan | Global health leader | |
Lorna Prendergast | Australia | Dementia researcher | |
Susana Raffalli | Venezuela | Delivering nutrition to the malnourished | |
Sapana Roka Magar[35] | Nepal | Crematorium technician | |
Pardis Sabeti | Iran | Computational geneticist | |
Febfi Setyawati | Indonesia | Activist, founder of Untukteman.id | |
Ruth Shady | Peru | Archaeologist | |
Kathy Sullivan | United States | Scientist and astronaut | |
Rima Sultana Rimu | Bangladesh | Teacher and humanitarian activist working with Rohingya refugees | |
Anastasia Volkova | Ukraine | Agricultural innovator. Founder of FluroSat | |
Siouxsie Wiles[36] | UK | Scientist and public health communicator | |
Yee-Sin Leo | Singapore | Doctor and research leader |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Houda Abouz[38] | Morocco | Rapper, women's rights and gender equality advocate | |
Waad al-Kateab | Syria | Activist, journalist and filmmaker | |
Tsitsi Dangarembga | Zimbabwe | Novelist and filmmaker | |
Karen Dolva | Norway | Chief executive and co-founder of No Isolation | |
Jane Fonda | United States | Actor and social activist | |
Kiran Gandhi | United States | Singer, musician, and gender liberation activist | |
Miho Imada | Japan | Master sake brewer | |
Isaivani | India | Gaana singer and political campaigner | |
Nadine Kaadan | France | Children's author and illustrator | |
Mulenga Kapwepwe | Zambia | Artist and co-founder of the Zambian Women's History Museum | |
Jackie Kay | United Kingdom | Playwright, novelist and national poet of Scotland | |
Mahira Khan[34] | Pakistan | Actor and activist and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador | |
Angélique Kidjo | Benin | Musician and UNICEF ambassador | |
Chu Kim Duc | Vietnam | Architect and child welfare activist | |
Zahara[39] | South Africa | Singer songwriter | |
Nandar | Myanmar | Feminist activist | |
Ana Tijoux | France | Chilean hip hop protester | |
Yulia Tsvetkova | Russia | Activist, political prisoner | |
Kotchakorn Voraakhom | Thailand | Landscape architect | |
Elin Williams | United Kingdom | Disability rights activist | |
Michelle Yeoh | Malaysia | Actor and UN goodwill ambassador |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Muyesser Abdul'ehed (AKA Hendan) | China | Uyghur writer and language activist | |
Erica Baker | Germany | Software engineer | |
Cindy Bishop | Thailand | UN goodwill ambassador and model | |
Wendy Beatriz Caishpal Jaco | El Salvador | Advocate for the rights of disabled people | |
Patrisse Cullors | USA | Human rights activist. Co-founder and executive director of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation | |
Shani Dhanda | UK | Disability activist | |
Eileen Flynn | Ireland | Senator and social activist | |
Alicia Garza | USA | Human rights activist. Co-creator of Black Lives Matter and the Black Lives Matter Global Network | |
Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim[37] | Nigeria | LGBTQ film director and activist | |
Gülsüm Kav | Turkey | Doctor, activist, co-founder of We Will Stop Femicide | |
Josina Machel | Mozambique | Human rights activist | |
Hayat Mirshad | Lebanon | Feminist activist, journalist, co-founder of Fe-Male collective | |
Laleh Osmany | Afghanistan | Women's rights activist and founder of #WhereIsMyName campaign | |
Cibele Racy | Brazil | Teacher, racial equality activist | |
Lea T | Brazil | Transgender rights advocate and model | |
Ayu (Opal) Tometi | USA | Human rights activist. Co-founder of Black Lives Matter | |
Alice Wong | United States | Disability rights activist. Founder of the Disability Visibility Project |
The 2019 list was announced on 16 October 2019. The list of candidates was chosen from those nominated by the BBC's different language teams using the 2020 theme which was "The Female Future". The list was subdivided into six categories: Earth, Knowledge, Leadership, Creativity, Sport and Identity.[40]
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Judith Bakirya | Uganda | Organic farmer and women's rights activist | |
Ella Daish | United Kingdom | Environmentalist and anti-plastic campaigner | |
Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman | United States | Urban anthropologist and co-founder of The Women Led Cities Initiative | |
Gada Kadoda | Sudan | Founder of the Sudanese Knowledge Society and trainer of community engineers | |
Jamie Margolin | United States | Climate change activist and co-founder of Zero Hour movement | |
Francia Márquez | Colombia | Afro-Colombian environmentalist and leader of a 10-day, 350-mile women's march. Winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize | |
Trang Nguyen | Vietnam | Wildlife conservationist and founder of WildAct | |
Autumn Peltier | Canada | Clean water advocate | |
Swietenia Puspa Lestari | Indonesia | Founder of the Divers Clean Action Foundation and anti-straw campaigner | |
Charlene Ren | China | Clean water advocate, creator of MyH2O | |
Najat Saliba | Lebanon | Air pollution researcher and chemistry professor | |
Vandana Shiva | India | Environmental leader and winner of the Alternative Nobel Peace Prize | |
Greta Thunberg | Sweden | Climate change activist | |
Marilyn Waring | New Zealand | Feminist economist and environmental activist |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
MiMi Aung | United States | NASA project manager and engineer | |
Raya Bidshahri | Iran | Educator and founder of Awecademy | |
Katie Bouman | United States | Processed first-ever image of a black hole | |
Lisa Campo-Engelstein | United States | Bioethicist and fertility and contraceptive researcher | |
Rana el Kaliouby | Egypt | Artificial emotional intelligence pioneer. Founder of Affectiva | |
Amy Karle | United States | Bioartist and 3D-designer | |
Fei-Fei Li | United States | Pioneer of artificial intelligence who encourages women and minorities to build AI. | |
Julie Makani | Tanzania | Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease | |
Sarah Martins Da Silva | United Kingdom | Consultant gynaecologist, obstetrician and fertility researcher | |
Susmita Mohanty | India | Spaceship designer, entrepreneur and passionate climate action advocate | |
Benedicte Mundele | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Fresh food entrepreneur and founder of Surprise Tropical | |
Zehra Sayers | Turkey | Biophysicist and chair of the SESAME project. | |
Hayfa Sdiri | Tunisia | Entrepreneur and UN gender equality campaigner | |
Noor Shaker | Syria | Artificial intelligence innovator | |
Bonita Sharma[41] | Nepal | Founder of The Social Changemakers and Innovators | |
Veronique Thouvenot | Chile | Leader of the Zero Mothers Die initiative | |
Paola Villarreal | Mexico | Computer programmer who developed Data for Justice | |
Amy Webb | United States | Futurist |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Alanoud Alsharekh | Kuwait | Women's rights activist. Winner of National Order of Merit | |
Tabata Amaral | Brazil | Politician working for education, women's rights, political innovation and sustainable futures | |
Dhammananda Bhikkhuni | Thailand | First female Thai Buddhist monk (bhikkhuni) and abbess of Songdhammakalyan Monastery | |
Mabel Bianco | Argentina | Feminist medical doctor and women's rights activist. President of the Foundation for Studies and Research on Women (FEIM) | |
Maria Fernanda Espinosa | Ecuador | Fourth female president of the UN General Assembly | |
Sister Gerard Fernandez | Singapore | Roman Catholic nun and death row counsellor | |
Zarifa Ghafari | Afghanistan | One of Afghanistan's first female mayors; clean city advocate | |
Jalila Haider | Pakistan | Human rights lawyer and women's rights advocate | |
Asmaa James | Sierra Leone | Journalist and women's rights activist | |
Ahlam Khudr | Sudan | Human rights protest leader | |
Aïssata Lam | Mauritania | Microfinance expert and women's rights advocate | |
Soo Jung Lee | South Korea | Forensic psychologist and advocate for anti-stalking bill | |
Gina Martin | United Kingdom | Campaigner to make upskirting illegal in England and Wales | |
Van Thi Nguyen | Vietnam | Co-founder of the Will to Live Center | |
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | United States | Youngest woman elected to Congress | |
Onjali Q. Raúf | United Kingdom | Writer and founder of Making Herstory | |
Maria Ressa | Philippines | Journalist and founder of Rappler, a website exposing fake news | |
Lyubov Sobol | Russia | Lawyer and anti-corruption activist | |
Samah Subay | Yemen | Lawyer supporting families whose children have 'disappeared' |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Precious Adams | United States | Ballet dancer | |
Manal Al Dowayan | Saudi Arabia | Saudi photographer and artist | |
Marwa Al-Sabouni | Syria | Architect who runs only Arabic website for architectural news. Winner of the Prince Claus award | |
Yalitza Aparicio | Mexico | Actress and human rights activist | |
Dayna Ash | Lebanon | Poet and cultural activist | |
Ayah Bdeir | Lebanon Canada |
Founder of littleBits and STEM advocate | |
Scarlett Curtis | United Kingdom | Co-founder of The Pink Protest | |
Luchita Hurtado | Venezuela | Artist and environmental advocate | |
Aranya Johar | India | Beat poet who writes about gender equality, mental health and body positivity | |
Erika Lust | Sweden | Erotic film director, screenwriter and producer | |
Lauren Mahon | United Kingdom | Cancer survivor and podcaster | |
Lisa Mandemaker | Netherlands | Designer of prototype artificial womb | |
Raja Meziane | Algeria | Anti-government songs about social injustice, alleged corruption and inequality | |
Ashcharya Peiris | Sri Lanka | Blind fashion designer and motivational speaker | |
Danit Peleg | Israel | Fashion designer of 3D-printed clothing | |
Kalista Sy | Senegal | Screenwriter of television series Mistress of a Married Man | |
Ida Vitale | Uruguay | Poet, and fifth woman to win Cervantes Prize for lifetime writing achievement |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Jasmin Akter | Bangladesh United Kingdom |
Rohingya refugee and cricketer | |
Kimia Alizadeh | Iran | First female Iranian Olympic medallist | |
Dina Asher-Smith | United Kingdom | Fastest woman in British history | |
Salwa Eid Naser | Nigeria Bahrain |
400m world champion runner | |
Bethany Firth | United Kingdom | Paralympic champion swimmer | |
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Jamaica | 100m world sprint champion | |
Tayla Harris | Australia | Australian rules footballer and boxer | |
Huang Wensi | China | Professional boxer | |
Fiona Kolbinger | Germany | First woman cyclist to win the Transcontinental Race | |
Hiyori Kon | Japan | Sumo wrestler | |
Farida Osman | Egypt | First woman in Egypt to win a swimming medal | |
Megan Rapinoe | United States | World Cup winner and advocate for equality in football (soccer) | |
Jawahir Roble | Somalia United Kingdom |
UK's first Muslim, black, female, hijab-wearing referee[clarification needed] |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Parveena Ahanger | India | Human rights activist | |
Piera Aiello | Italy | Anti-mafia politician | |
Rida Al Tubuly | Libya | Peace campaigner | |
Nisha Ayub | Malaysia | Transgender activist | |
Sinéad Burke | Ireland | Disability activist | |
Sharan Dhaliwal | United Kingdom | Writer and advocate for mental and sexual health for young South Asians, and LGBTQ rights | |
Lucinda Evans | South Africa | Women's rights activist and founder of Philisa Abafazi Bethu (Heal our Women) | |
Owl Fisher[42] | Iceland | Transgender activist, journalist and writer | |
Hollie | United States | Sex trafficking survivor | |
Yumi Ishikawa | Japan | Gender discrimination campaigner and founder of KuToo movement | |
Subhalakshmi Nandi | India | Gender equity researcher and campaigner | |
Natasha Noel | India | Body positivity influencer and Yogini | |
Djamila Ribeiro | Brazil | Writer and Afro-Brazilian women's rights advocate | |
Nanjira Sambuli | Kenya | World Wide Web Foundation digital equality expert | |
Pragati Singh | India | Doctor running Indian Aces, an online community for asexual people | |
Bella Thorne | United States | Actress and director | |
Purity Wako | Uganda | Life coach empowering women | |
Sara Wesslin | Finland | Skolt Sami journalist who lobbied for government funding for Sami language teaching | |
Gina Zurlo | United States | Expert in religion statistics |
The 2018 list was announced in November 2018. The list included the 27th Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Stacey Cunningham who runs the New York Stock Exchange and Shaparak Shajarizadeh[43] who challenged the Iranian law that requires women to wear the Hijab.[44][45][46]
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin[47] | Nigeria | Social impact entrepreneur | |
Esra'a Al Shafei | Bahrain | Leads not-for-profit Majal.org | |
Svetlana Alekseeva | Russia | Model and burns survivor | |
Lizt Alfonso | Cuba | Director and choreographer, Cuba | |
Nimco Ali | United Kingdom Somaliland | Wrier and FGM activist | |
Isabel Allende | Peru | Author | |
Boushra Yahya Almutawakel | Yemen | Artist, photographer and activist | |
Alina Anisimova | Kyrgyzstan | Student programmer at Kyrgyz Girls' Space School | |
Frances Arnold | United States | Nobel Prize winning chemical engineer | |
Uma Devi Badi | Nepal | Leader of the Badi movement and member of the Provincial Assembly in Nepal | |
Judith Balcazar | United Kingdom | Fashion designer and co-founder of Giggle Knickers (underwear for women with urinary incontinence) | |
Cindy Arlette Contreras Bautista | Peru | Lawyer who works against domestic violence as the face of the NiUnaMenos (Not One [woman] Less) | |
Leyla Belyanova | Uzbekistan | Academic and ecologist, seeking to protect Uzbekistan's birdlife and mountain ecosystems | |
Analia Bortz | Argentina | Doctor, rabbi and bioethicist treating women with fertility problems | |
Fealofani Bruun | Samoa | Traditional Polynesian navigator and qualified yachtmaster | |
Raneen Bukhari | Saudi Arabia | Curator, gallery manager, and business developer | |
Joy Buolamwini | Canada | Artificial intelligence artist and researcher | |
Barbara Burton | United Kingdom | Founder and CEO of BehindBras, a charity that supports women prison leavers | |
Tamara Cheremnova | Russia | Author, living with cerebral palsy | |
Chelsea Clinton | United States | Writer and organiser, Vice-chair of the Clinton Foundation | |
Stacey Cunningham | United States | NYSE President | |
Jenny Davidson (businesswoman) | United States | CEO of Stand Up Placer | |
Asha de Vos | Sri Lanka | Marine biologist | |
Gabriella Di Laccio | Brazil | Soprano and founder of DONNE: Women in Music | |
Xiomara Diaz | Nicaragua | Entrepreneur, restaurant owner and charity founder | |
Noma Dumezweni | United Kingdom Eswatini | Actor | |
Chidera Eggerue[47] | United Kingdom | "The Slumflower" blogger | |
Shrouk El-Attar | Egypt | Electronic design engineer | |
Nicole Evans | United Kingdom | Online retail sales facilitator and supporter of women who are experiencing Early menopause | |
Raghda Ezzeldin | Egypt | Free diver | |
Mitra Farazandeh | Iran | Artist advocate for people with physical disabilities | |
Mamitu Gashe | Ethiopia | Senior nurse aide and fistula surgeon | |
Meena Gayen | India | Business owner and road builder | |
G.E.M. (Gloria Tang Tsz-kei) [citation needed] | People's Republic of China Hong Kong | Singer-songwriter | |
Fabiola Gianotti | Italy | Particle physicist and director general of CERN | |
Julia Gillard | Australia | 27th Prime Minister of Australia | |
Elena Gorolová | Czech Republic | Social worker, campaigning against forced sterilisation | |
Randi Heesoo Griffin | United States | Olympic ice hockey player and data scientist, advocate for equal pay for women in ice hockey | |
Janet Harbick | Canada | Altruistic surrogate | |
Jessica Hayes | United States | Theology teacher and consecrated virgin | |
Thando Hopa | South Africa | Model, lawyer and diversity and inclusion advocate | |
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim | Chad | Environmentalist and advocate for indigenous people and women | |
Reyhan Jamalova | Azerbaijan | Entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Rainenergy, company that collects energy from rainwater | |
Jameela Jamil | United Kingdom | British actor who founded @i-weigh | |
Liz Johnson | United Kingdom | Paralympian gold medal swimmer and entrepreneur, with a recruitment agency aiming to close the disability employment gap | |
Lao Khang | Laos | Rugby player and coach | |
Joey Mead King | Philippines | Model and television presenter | |
Krishna Kumari[48] | Pakistan | Women's rights campaigner elected to Pakistan Senate | |
Marie Laguerre | France | Civil engineer and architecture student, who has developed platform where women can share stories of street harassment | |
Veasna Chea Leth | Cambodia | Lawyer, first woman to study law in Cambodia | |
Ana Graciela Sagastume López | El Salvador | Women and Femicide Special Prosecutor | |
Maria Corina Machado | Venezuela | Political leader who has campaigned to safeguard democratic processes in Venezuela | |
Nanaia Mahuta | New Zealand | Minister of Maori development, first female parliamentarian to wear a Maori face tattoo | |
Sakdiyah Ma'ruf | Indonesia | Indonesia's first female Muslim stand-up comedian | |
Nujeen Mustafa | Syria | Syrian refugee, activist, and a campaigner on behalf of refugees with disabilities | |
Lisa McGee | United Kingdom | Northern Irish playwright and the writer and creator of Derry Girls | |
Kirsty McGurrell | United Kingdom | Charity co-ordinator of 4Louis, providing memory boxes for bereaved parents of stillborn babies | |
Becki Meakin | United Kingdom | General manager of Shaping Our Lives, advocate for people with disabilities | |
Ruth Medufia | Ghana | Female welder acting as role model for young women in the construction industry | |
Larisa Mikhaltsova | Ukraine | Accordion music teacher who became a model at age 63 | |
Amina J. Mohammed[47] | Nigeria | Deputy secretary general, United Nations | |
Yanar Mohammed | Iraq | President of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) | |
Joseline Esteffania Velasquez Morales | Guatemala | Student and NGO co-ordinator, campaigning to end forced marriages | |
Robin Morgan | United States | Author and activist, founder of The Sisterhood is Global Institute and the Women's Media Center | |
Dima Nashawi | Syria | Artist, clown and visual storyteller, who collects and reflects tales from Syria | |
Helena Ndume | Namibia | Ophthalmologist who has performed sight-restoring surgeries upon 35,000 Namibians, free of charge | |
Kelly O'Dwyer | Australia | Minister for jobs and industrial relations, and minister for women in the Australian parliament | |
Yuki Okoda | Japan | Astronomer, first person to discover a new star that could shed light on the origins of the Solar System | |
Olivette Otele | Cameroon | Professor of History at Bath Spa University, England | |
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo | Mexico | Mayor of Mexico City and Nobel Peace Prize-winning physicist | |
Park Soo-yeon | South Korea | Digital campaigner against sex crimes | |
Ophelia Pastrana | Colombia | Comedian and media personality | |
Viji Palithodi | India | Activist who founded the Penkootam women's union in Kerala | |
Brigitte Sossou Perenyi | Ghana | Documentary producer and former Trokosi | |
Vicky Phelan | Ireland | Exposed the Irish Cervical Check Screening scandal | |
Rahibai Soma Popere | India | Farmer and founder of Seed Bank, India collecting indigenous seeds | |
Valentina Quintero | Venezuela | Journalist promoting tourism and the environment through television programs | |
Sam Ross | United Kingdom | Catering assistant and advocate for people with Down syndrome | |
Fatma Samoura | Senegal | Secretary General of FIFA | |
Juliet Sargeant | Tanzania | Garden designer | |
Sima Sarkar | Bangladesh | Full-time mother of 18-year-old disabled child | |
Shaparak Shajarizadeh | Iran | Activist against compulsory hijab rule, now in exile | |
Haven Shepherd | Vietnam | Suicide bomb survivor and Paralympic hopeful | |
Nenney Shushaidah Binti Shamsuddin | Malaysia | Female Syariah judge | |
Hayat Sindi | Saudi Arabia | Biotechnologist, Unesco Goodwill Ambassador for science and founder of the i2 Institute for imagination and ingenuity | |
Jacqueline Straub | Germany | Theologian, journalist and author seeking to become a Catholic priest | |
Donna Strickland | Canada | Professor of Physics, University of Waterloo, Canada and winner of Nobel Prize in Physics, 2018 | |
Kanpassorn Suriyasangpetch | Thailand | Dentist, mental health advocate and app developer | |
Setsuko Takamizawa | Japan | Learning English to help tourists at Tokyo's 2020 Olympic Games | |
Nargis Taraki | Afghanistan | NGO legal adviser who campaigns for female empowerment | |
Ellen Tejle | Sweden | Campaigner for awareness of women's representation in film | |
Helen Taylor Thompson | United Kingdom | AIDs Hospice founder | |
Bola Tinubu[47] | Nigeria | Lawyer who established the first free children's helpline in Nigeria | |
Errollyn Wallen | United Kingdom Belize | Opera composer and Ivor Novello Award winner | |
Safiya Wazir | Afghanistan | Community activist and U.S. politician | |
Gladys West | United States | Mathematician, instrumental in developing GPS | |
Luo Yang | People's Republic of China | Art photography series on Chinese girls since 2007 | |
Maral Yazarloo-Pattrick | Iran | Fashion designer and motorcyclist | |
Tashi Zangmo | Bhutan | Executive director for the Bhutan Nuns Foundation | |
Jing Zhao | People's Republic of China | Entrepreneur running online sex education network |
In 2017 the women on the list were part of a 100 Women Challenge, tackling some of the biggest problems facing women around the world. Coming together in four teams, the women shared their experiences and created innovative ways to tackle:[49]
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description[45] |
---|---|---|---|
Agnes Atim Apea | Uganda | Founder and CEO of Hope Co-ops | |
Amy Cuddy | United States | Harvard social psychologist and author | |
Elaine Welteroth | United States | Editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue | |
Erin Akinci | United States | Data scientist | |
Jin Xing | People's Republic of China | Dancer, television star and business owner | |
Karlie Noon[50] | Australia | Astronomer | |
Lea Coligado | United States | Software engineer | |
Lori Nishiura Mackenzie | United States | Executive Director of the Clayman Institute, Stanford University | |
Loujain Alhathloul | Saudi Arabia | Student | |
Maci Peterson | United States | Co-founder and CEO, On Second Thought | |
Mariana Feraru | Romania | Cosmetician | |
María Teresa Ruiz | Chile | Astronomer | |
Marilyn Loden | United States | Author, management consultant and diversity advocate | |
Marina Potoker | Russia | Managing director, Rockwool Russia | |
Melisa Marquez-Rodriguez | Puerto Rico | Lead Android engineer for website builder, Weebly.com | |
Michelle Mone | United Kingdom | Entrepreneur | |
Muhabbat Sharapova | Uzbekistan | Maths teacher | |
Nana Akua Oppong Birmeh | Ghana | Architect | |
Natalia Margolis | United States | Software Engineer at Huge agency | |
Romina Bernardo (aka Chocolate Remix) | Argentina | Musician | |
Roya Ramezani | Iran | Design strategist | |
Rumman Chowdhury | United States | Senior Principal at Accenture AI | |
Sasha Perigo | United States | Student | |
Savita Devi (Drummer) | India | Drummer | |
Susi Pudjiastuti | Indonesia | Politician and entrepreneur | |
Suzanne Doyle-Morris | Australia | Author and expert on gender in the workplace |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description[45] |
---|---|---|---|
Aditi Avasthi | India | Entrepreneur; Founder and CEO, Embibe | |
Huỳnh Thị Xậm | Vietnam | Librarian | |
Indira Rana Magar | Nepal | Founder, Prisoner's Assistance Nepal | |
Ira Trivedi | India | Writer | |
Maggie MacDonnell | Canada | Teacher | |
Marieme Jamme | Senegal | Founder of iamtheCODE | |
Mehroonisa Siddiqui | India | Homemaker | |
Michelle Bachelet | Chile | President of Chile | |
Nitya Thummalachetty | India | Director of Diversity, FortunaPIX | |
Peggy Whitson | United States | Astronaut | |
Priyanka Roy | India | Student | |
Sakena Yacoobi | Afghanistan | CEO of Afghan Institute for Learning and social entrepreneur with four private schools and one radio station. | |
Tulika Kiran | India | Teacher and social worker | |
Urvashi Sahni | India | Founder and CEO, Study Hall Educational Foundation | |
Zainab Fadhal | Iraq | Student | |
Vicky Colbert | Colombia | Sociologist of education | |
Muzoon Almellehan | Syria | Activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador | |
Lin Nien-Tzu | Taiwan | Founder, Dharti Mata Sustainable Workshop | |
Frances Melanie Hardinge | United Kingdom | Author | |
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala | Nigeria | Economist | |
Ahlam al-Rashid | Syria | Teacher and Head of the Women Empowerment Centre, northern Syria | |
Regina Honu | Ghana | Social entrepreneur | |
Angeline Murimirwa | Zimbabwe | Regional executive director, Camfed Southern & Eastern Africa | |
Bella Devyatkina | Russia | Polyglot | |
Tran Thi Kim Thia | Vietnam | Lottery ticket vendor and swimming coach |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description[45] |
---|---|---|---|
Adelle Onyango | Kenya | Radio presenter | |
Anita Nderu | Kenya | Television presenter and radio news anchor at Capital FM | |
Anne-Marie Imafidon | United Kingdom | CEO & 'Head Stemette' at Stemettes | |
Chaima Lahsini | Morocco | Journalist | |
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf | Liberia | President of Liberia | |
Ellie Cosgrave | United Kingdom | Lecturer in Urban Innovation and Policy at UCL | |
Laura Jordan Bambach | Australia | Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer, Mr President and co-founder, SheSays | |
Liz Kelly | United Kingdom | Professor of Sexualised Violence | |
Maria Scorodinschi | Moldova | Campaigner against domestic violence | |
Naomi Mwaura | Kenya | Founder, Flone Initiative and Communications Associate at ITDP Africa | |
Resham Khan | United Kingdom | Student | |
Rupi Kaur | India | Author | |
Talent Jumo | Zimbabwe | Founder and Director, Katswe Sistahood | |
Tiwa Savage | Nigeria | Singer-songwriter | |
Virali Modi | India | Disability rights activist and youth ambassador | |
Leila Smith | France | Artist | |
Sharon Sabita Beepath | Trinidad and Tobago | Counsellor, Stand Against Abuse advocate | |
Amanda Nunez-Ferreira | United States | Student | |
Somporn Khempetch[51] | Thailand | Social worker and teacher | |
Tamara De Anda | Mexico | Journalist | |
Doris Muthoni Wanjira | Kenya | Conductor | |
Hanne Bingle | Denmark | Powerlifter and retired London Underground driver | |
Nihal Saad Zaghloul | Egypt | Business development officer and co-founder of Bassma | |
Angie Ng | Canada | Founder of SlutWalk Hong Kong | |
Asena Melisa Saglam | Turkey | Student |
Image | Name | Country of birth | Description[45] |
---|---|---|---|
Adriana Behar | Brazil | General Manager of Sport Planning for the Brazilian Olympic Committee | |
Ana Luiza Santos de Andrade | Brazil | Student | |
Beatriz Vaz E Silva | Brazil | Athlete and Footballer | |
Claudianny Drika | Brazil | Football coach | |
Fernanda Nunes | Brazil | Olympic rower and blogger | |
Grace Larsen | United States | Retired civil servant | |
Luiza Travassos | Brazil | Student | |
Maira Liguori | Brazil | Director of NGO, Think Olga | |
MC Soffia | Brazil | Rapper | |
Mithali Raj | India | Cricketer | |
Momina Mustehsan | Pakistan | Musician | |
Nadia Comaneci | Romania United States | Olympic gymnast | |
Nawaal Akram | Qatar | Model, comedian and founder of Muscular Dystrophy Qatar | |
Nora Tausz Ronai | Italy | Architect and teacher | |
Steph Houghton | United Kingdom | Footballer | |
Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala | Sri Lanka | Women's rights activist and mountaineer | |
Cwengekile Nikiwe Myeni | South Africa | Gogo (granny) support programme manager | |
Helena Pacheco | Brazil | Businesswoman and former football coach | |
Rocky Hehakaija | Netherlands | Director of Favela Street Foundation and coach | |
Lina Khalifeh | Jordan | Martial arts expert | |
Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Dung | Vietnam | Footballer | |
Derartu Tulu | Ethiopia | Long-distance runner | |
Shantona Rani Roy | Bangladesh | Taekwondo athlete and activist | |
Hou Yifan | People's Republic of China | Chess grandmaster |
The 2016 theme was Defiance.[16] Part of the 100 Women festival took place in Mexico City on this year.[52] The main event took place at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, where artists like Julieta Venegas, Ángela Aguilar, Ali Gua Gua, Elis Paprika, Sofía Niño de Rivera, Ximena Sariñana, and Alexis De Anda performed live. The event also features debates with journalists Carmen Aristegui, and Denise Dresser, among others.[53] The 2016 list was published in alphabetical order, but split by category into Creative, Defiant, Influential, Pioneering and Resilient with 20 women in each stream.[54]
Image | Name | Nationality | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Babs Forman | United Kingdom | London based make-up artist who covers up skin problems | |
Conchi Reyes Rios | Spain | Bullfighter | |
Doaa el-Adl | Egypt | Cartoonist whose cat stories reflect the news | |
Dwi Handa | Indonesia | Instagram fashion star | |
Funke Bucknor-Obruthe[55] | Nigeria | Planner of glitzy and celebrity weddings | |
Gcina Mhlope[56] | South Africa | Author, poet, playwright and storyteller | |
Heloise Letissier | France | French singer and songwriter known by her stage name Christine and the Queens | |
Isabella Springmuhl Tejada | Guatemala | Fashion designer | |
Jeanette Winterson | United Kingdom | novelist | |
Kartika Jahja | Indonesia | gender-equality singer | |
Liv Little | United Kingdom | Editor-in-chief at gal-dem | |
Mariana Costa Checa | Peru | Businesswoman, founder of Laboratoria | |
Nadia Khiari | Tunisia | Creator of cartoon character 'Willis from Tunis', whose adventures reflect the news | |
Nadiya Hussain | United Kingdom | Winner of reality show "The Great British Bake Off" – went on to television jobs | |
Nay el-Rahi | Lebanon | Journalist, and co-founder of HarassTracker.org | |
Ou Xiaobai | People's Republic of China | Relocation manager and co-developer iHomo app which links gay and lesbian people for marriages of convenience | |
Paula Hawkins | Zimbabwe | Writer of the novel "The Girl on the Train" | |
Prathiba Parmar | Kenya | British film maker | |
Reham el-Hour | Morocco | Cartoonist who became professional after winning a UNESCO competition in 2000 | |
Sunny Leone | Canada | Actress |
Image | Name | Nationality | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Amna Suleiman | Palestine | Teacher andbike protester against custom that stops women cycling in Gaza | |
Amy Roko | Saudi Arabia | Comedian who became known via Instagram and Vine | |
Cat Hulbert | United States | Professional gambler | |
Corinne Maier | France | Writer and psychoanalyst | |
Denise Ho[57] | Canada
Hong Kong |
Singer and pro-democracy campaigner | |
Ieshia Evans | United States | Nurse and protestor who became an icon of the Black Lives Matter movement following the publication of Taking a Stand in Baton Rouge | |
Iskra Lawrence | United Kingdom | Model | |
Jamilah Lemieux | United States | Cultural commentator, editor and columnist for Interactive One | |
Janet Ní Shuilleabháin | Ireland | Founding member, Abortion Rights Campaign | |
June Eric-Udorie | United Kingdom | Writer and blogger | |
Lois Strong | United States | Former college maths professor and present day cheerleader | |
Naema Ahmed[58] | Pakistan | E-commerce start-up manager | |
Neha Singh[59] | India | Actor, writer and campaigner who encourages women to ignore harassment and reclaim the public space | |
Renee Rabinowitz | Belgium | Lawyer who sued El Al when she was asked to move as the man next to her objected to sitting beside a female | |
Seyhan Arman | Turkey | Transgender activist and actor | |
Tess Asplund | Sweden | Care worker and anti-fascism activist caught in iconic photo resisting fascists | |
Viktoria Modesta | Latvia | Bionic pop artist | |
Winnie Harlow | Canada | Model | |
Yuliya Stepanova | Russia | Whistle-blowing athlete | |
Zulaikha Patel | South Africa | Thirteen year-old who took stand for young girls with natural hair |
Image | Name | Nationality | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Alicia Keys | United States | Singer-songwriter | |
Aline Mukovi Neema | Republic of the Congo | Student activist for political change | |
Carmen Aristegui | Mexico | journalist | |
Egge Kande | Senegal | Community leader who advises young girls about education | |
Evelyn Miralles | Venezuela | NASA computer engineer | |
Heather Rabbatts | Jamaica | Lawyer and businesswoman. Non-executive member of the boards of Grosvenor Estates, Royal Opera House and The FA. Chief Executive of the London Borough of Lambeth | |
Judi Aubel | United States | Social entrepreneur | |
Liliane Landor | Lebanon | BBC journalist | |
Lubna Tahtamouni | Jordan | Biology professor and science campaigner | |
Mallika Srinivasan[59] | India | CEO of Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited | |
Maria Zakharova | Russia | Foreign ministry spokeswoman | |
Marne Levine | United States | Chief Operating Officer, Instagram | |
Marta Vieira da Silva | Brazil | Footballer | |
Rachida Dati | France | Politician | |
Rakefet Russak-Aminoach | Israel | CEO, Bank Leumi | |
Rebecca Walker | United States | Writer and activist | |
Shriti Vadera | Uganda | Banker and economist | |
Simone Biles | United States | Olympic gymnast | |
Thuli Madonsela[56] | South Africa | Advocate who combats corruption | |
Zoleka Mandela | South Africa | Writer – survivor of addictions, sexual abuse and cancer. Granddaughter of Nelson Mandela. |
Image | Name | Nationality | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Asel Sadyrova | Kyrgyzstan | Archer | |
Chan Yuen-ting[57] | Hong Kong | Football manager | |
Chanira Bajracharya | Nepal | Former "living goddess" or Kumari | |
Churan Zheng | People's Republic of China | Women's rights activist arrested for planning protest against sexual harassment on public transportation | |
Cindy Meston | Canada | Professor of clinical psychology | |
Ellinah Ntombi Wamukoya | Eswatini | First woman to become a bishop of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa | |
Erin McKenney | United States | Science award winner | |
Gouri Chindarkar[59] | India | Computer engineering student of the "School in the Cloud" | |
Jane Elliott | United States | Educator, author and anti-racism activist | |
Katherine Johnson | United States | Space scientist who was a mathematician for NASA | |
Lhakpa Sherpa | Nepal | Mountaineer who has climbed Mount Everest seven times. | |
Lucy Finch | Malawi | Palliative care nurse and founder of Malawi's only hospice | |
Mary Akrami | Afghanistan | Women's shelter director and founder of refuge for abused women | |
Megan Beveridge | United Kingdom
Scotland |
First female "lone piper" at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo | |
Omotade Alalade | Nigeria | Founder of BeiBei Haven Foundation, helping those struggling with infertility | |
Sherin Khankan | Denmark | Imam | |
Shirin Gerami | Iran | First "Ironwoman" triathlete in Iran | |
Sian Williams | United Kingdom
Wales |
Rugby player | |
Stephanie Harvey | Canada | Professional e-gamer "missharvey" | |
Yasmine Mustafa | Kuwait | Entrepreneur, CEO of ROAR for Good |
Image | Name | Nationality | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Ashwaq Moharram | Yemen | Doctor dealing with starvation in Hudaydah | |
Becci Wain | United Kingdom | Healthcare assistant and former self-harmer who challenged supermarket policy | |
Carolina de Oliveira | Lebanon
Syria |
Actor and Mental health activist | |
Dalia Sabri | Jordan | Blind music teacher | |
Erin Sweeny | Australia | Psychologist | |
Karima Baloch | Pakistan
(Balochistan) |
Balochistan independence campaigner; died under suspicious circumstances in 2020 | |
Kathy Murray | United States | Relationship coach and co-author of "Surrendered Wives Empowered Women" | |
Khadija Ismayilova | Azerbaijan | Journalist | |
Mao Kobayashi | Japan | Newsreader and cancer blogger | |
Marta Sánchez Soler | Mexico | Sociologist, activist and President of the Mesoamerican Migrant Movement | |
'Mary' | Kenya | Survivor of al-Shabab rape | |
Mercedes Doretti | Argentina | Forensic anthropologist who investigates crimes against humanity | |
Morena Herrera | El Salvador | Philosopher and Abortion activist | |
Nagira Sabashova | Kyrgyzstan | Wrestler | |
Natalia Ponce de Leon | Colombia | Human rights activist and acid attack victim | |
Pashtun Rahmat | Afghanistan | Police officer | |
Saalumarada Thimmakka[60][59] | India | 105-year-old environmentalist | |
Stephanie Yim Bell | United States | Korean-American professional wrestler, then known as Jade | |
Traci Houpapa | New Zealand | Company director | |
Um-Yehia | Syria | Nurse |
The BBC News 100 Women list in 2015 was made up of many notable international names, as well as women who were unknown, but who represented issues women face. This year the list focussed on octogenarians sharing life lessons; 'good girl' film-makers discussing expectations; nursing; five high-profile women; and '30 under 30' entrepreneurs.[61]
The women of 2015, were from 51 countries and were not necessarily those who would traditionally have been seen as role models—a woman with depression, a woman who advocates for equal access to bathroom facilities, a woman who encourages other women to avoid make-up, and a reindeer nomad.[62]
Image | Name | Country | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|
Fatou Bensouda | Gambia | Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC) | |
Bobbi Brown | United States | Make-up artist and entrepreneur | |
Sania Mirza[63] | India | Tennis player | |
Hilary Swank[63] | United States | Actress | |
Alek Wek | United Kingdom
South Sudan |
Fashion model/UN ambassador |
Image | Name | Country | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|
Antonia Albert | Austria | Founder, Careship | |
Victoria Alonsoperez | Uruguay | Co-founder, ieeTECH | |
Paulina Arreola | Mexico | CEO and co-founder, Lavadero | |
Meryl Benitah | France | Founder, La Boite Qui Cartonne | |
Leimin Duong | Australia | Founder, Zeven Lemon Beerworks | |
Elissa Freiha | United Arab Emirates
Sudan |
Co-founder, WOMENA | |
Melanie Goldsmith | United Kingdom | Founder, Smith and Sinclair | |
Sara Jane Ho | Hong Kong | Founder, Institute Sarita | |
Samantha John | United States | CTO and co-founder of Hopscotch | |
Linda Kwamboka | Kenya | Co-founder, MFarm Ltd | |
Zihan Ling | People's Republic of China | CEO and founder, TechBase | |
Catherine Mahugu | Kenya | Founder, Soko | |
Karabo Mathang | South Africa | South Africa's first female Fifa-accredited soccer agent | |
Brit Morin | United States | CEO and founder, Brit + Co | |
Smriti Nagpal[17] | India | Founder, Atulyakala | |
Pauline Ng | Singapore | Co-founder, Porcelain | |
Bel Pesce | Brazil | Founder, FazINOVA | |
Elsa Prieto | France
Spain |
Technical director and co-founder, Pili Pop | |
Cristina Randall | Canada | Founder, Conekta | |
Claire Reid | South Africa | Entrepreneur, Reel Gardening | |
Nikita Ridgeway | Australia | CEO and founder, Dreamtime Ink Australia | |
Lorrana Scarpioni | Brazil | Founder, Bliive | |
Rasha Shehada | Palestine | Managing director, Diamond Line FZE | |
Zuzanna Stańska | Poland | Entrepreneur, creator of DailyArt app | |
Michelle Sun | Hong Kong | Founder, First Code Academy | |
Julie Sygiel | United States | Founder, Dear Kate | |
Kanika Tekriwal[17][64] | India | CEO and founder, JetsetGo | |
Lizanne Teo | Singapore | Co-founder, Upsurge | |
Jana Tepe | Germany | CEO and founder, Tandemploy | |
Xian Xu (entrepreneur) | People's Republic of China | Co-founder, Cuisines Sous Vide restaurant chain |
Image | Name | Country | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|
Nawal el-Sadaawi | Egypt | Writer | |
Kamini Kaushal[17] | India | Bollywood actress | |
Jenni Rhodes | United Kingdom | Textile designer | |
Louise Schwartz (showgirl) | Jamaica | Showgirl and cabaret performer | |
Tin Tin Yu (teacher) | Myanmar | Retired teacher |
Image | Name | Country | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|
Eveles Chimala | Malawi | Midwife | |
Aissa Edon | France
Mali |
Midwife | |
Azza Jadalla | Palestine | Nurse | |
Misraa Jimaa | Ethiopia | Health extension worker | |
Tina Lavender | United Kingdom | Midwife | |
Marie-Ange Zimndou Koutou | Central African Republic | Nurse's aide in a war zone |
Image | Name | Country | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|
Nicola Adams | United Kingdom | Boxer | |
Muzzon al-Mellehan | Syria | Activist | |
Siba Alaradi | Syria | Structural engineer | |
Sonita Alizadeh[63] | Afghanistan | Rapper | |
Niloufar Ardalan | Iran | Footballer | |
Masoumeh Ataei | Iran | Acid attack survivor | |
Xyza Bacani | Pillippines | Photographer | |
Alimata Bara | Burkino Faso | Trader | |
Sana Ben Ashour | Tunisia | Civil society activist | |
Nicola Benedetti | United Kingdom | Musician | |
Asha Bhosle[17] | India | Singer | |
Cecilia Bouzat | Argentina | Biophysicist | |
Rivka Carmi | Israel | Geneticist | |
Estela de Carlotto | Argentina | Human rights activist | |
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma | South Africa | Physician and chair of the African Union Commission | |
Isabel dos Santos | Angola | Investor | |
Ernestina Edem Appiah | Ghana | Social entrepreneur and founder, Ghana Code Club | |
Jana Elhassan | Lebanon | Novelist | |
Paula Escobar | Chile | Magazine editor | |
Monir Farmanfarmaian | Iran | Artist | |
Claire Fox | United Kingdom | Writer and broadcaster | |
Uta Frith | Germany | Psychologist | |
Alina Gracheva | Moldova | Camerawoman | |
Megan Grano | United States | Comedian | |
Alice Gray | United Kingdom | Science blogger | |
Michaela Hollywood | United Kingdom | Fundraiser for disabled people | |
Ella Ingram (activist)[63] | Australia | Activist for mental illness anti-discrimination | |
Somayya Jabarti | Saudi Arabia | Newspaper editor, Saudi Gazette | |
Tahmina Kohistani | Afghanistan | Olympic sprinter | |
Rimppi Kumari[17] | India | Farmer | |
Zimasa Mabela | South Africa | Naval captain | |
Emi Mahmoud | Sudan
United States |
Poet | |
Amara Majeed | United States | Hijab activist and author | |
Nemata Majeks-Walker | Sierra Leone | Women's rights activist | |
Katrine Marcal | Sweden | Economist, writer and journalist | |
Muniba Mazari | Pakistan | Artist and anchorwoman | |
Jessy McCabe | United Kingdom | Student | |
Verashni Pillay | South Africa | Newspaper editor, Mail & Guardian | |
Irina Polyakova | Russia | Paralympian | |
Neyda Rojas | Venezuela | Nun | |
Rabia Salihu Said | Nigeria | Physicist | |
Amina Sboui | Tunisia | Writer and women's rights activist | |
Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal | United Kingdom | Trade envoy | |
Mumtaz Shaikh[17] | India | Human rights activist | |
Nareen Shammo | Iraq | Political activist and journalist | |
Rotana Tarabzouni | Saudi Arabia | Singer/songwriter | |
Li Tingting | People's Republic of China | Human rights activist | |
Sophie Walker | United Kingdom | Leader of the Women's Equality Party |
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The BBC News 100 Women list in 2014 continued the efforts of the first year's initiative.[65]
Image | Name | Country | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|
SDr Yasmin Altwaijri | Saudi Arabia | Mental health and obesity scientist | |
Conchita Wurst | Austria | Singer | |
Laura Bates | United Kingdom | Founder, Everyday Sexism project | |
Pinky Lilani | United Kingdom | Founder, Asian Women of Achievement Awards | |
Ruby Chakravarti | India | Women's rights campaigner | |
Susie Orbach | United Kingdom | Psychotherapist | |
Pontso Mafethe | Zimbabwe | Women's programme manager, Comic Relief | |
Kate Shand | United Kingdom | Managing director of Enjoy Education | |
Shappi Khorsandi | United Kingdom | Comedian | |
Shazia Saleem | United Kingdom | Founder ieat Foods | |
Wai Wai Nu | Myanmar | Director, Women Peace Net | |
Michaela Bergman | United Kingdom | Chief Counsellor for Social Issues, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development | |
Paula Moreno | Colombia | Founder of peace foundation Manos Visibles | |
Rubana Huq | Bangladesh | Textile manufacturer | |
Lucy-Anne Holmes | United Kingdom | Founder, No More Page Three campaign | |
Brianna Stubbs | United Kingdom | Rower for Great Britain and Oxford PhD Scientist | |
Matilda Tristam | United Kingdom | Comics writer | |
Nigar Nazar | Pakistan | Cartoonist | |
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy | Pakistan | Documentary film-maker | |
Uldus Bakhtiozina | Russia | Photographer | |
Lesley Yellowlees | United Kingdom | First female president, Royal Society of Chemistry | |
Rebecca Gomperts | Netherlands | Founder, Women on Waves | |
Katherine Brown | United Kingdom | Academic, King's College London | |
Emily Kasyoka | Kenya | Boxer, Kenya | |
Aowen Jin | United Kingdom | Chinese-born British artist | |
Eliza Rebeiro | United Kingdom | Founder of Lives not Knives | |
Muge Iplikci | Turkey | Journalist | |
Natumanya Sarah | Uganda | Educator | |
Linda Tirado | United States | Campaigner | |
Alice Hagan | United Kingdom | Technician at healthcare company BTG | |
May Tha Hla | Myanmar | Food aid social worker | |
Rainatou Sow | Guinea | Founder of Make Every Woman Count | |
Justa Canaviri[66] | Bolivia | Celebrity chef, Bolivia | |
Heather Jackson | United Kingdom | Women's business campaigner | |
Ruby Wax | United States | Mental health campaigner and comic | |
Umm Ahmed | Iraq | Sole provider for her family | |
Xiaolu Guo | People's Republic of China | Novelist and film-maker | |
Hind Hobeika | Lebanon | Founder of Instabeat | |
Molly Case | United Kingdom | Student nurse and Women of the Future Ambassador | |
Joyce Banda | Malawi | Former President of Malawi | |
Saadia Zahidi | Pakistan | Managing Director at the World Economic Forum | |
Aditi Mittal | India | Stand-up comedian | |
Jess Butcher | United Kingdom | Co-founder of Blippar | |
Farah Mohamed | United States | Founder, Girls 20 summit | |
Katy Tuncer | United Kingdom | Founder, Ready Steady Mums | |
Smruti Sriram | United Kingdom | Founder, Wings of Hope & Achievement Awards | |
Darshan Karki | Nepal | Opinion-piece editor at Kathmandu Post daily, blogger | |
Brooke Magnanti | United States United Kingdom | Forensic scientist, author, former sex worker | |
Chipo Chung | Zimbabwe
People's Republic of China |
Actor and activist | |
Pinar Ogunc | Iraq | Journalist writing about women's issues and the Kurdish political movement | |
Sabina Kurgunayeva | Azerbaijan | Footballer who also runs her own bicycle rental business | |
Kate Wilson | United Kingdom | Founder of independent children's book publisher, Nosy Crow | |
Betty Lalam | Uganda | Director of women's community organisation, Gulu War Affected Training Centre | |
Arabella Dorman | United Kingdom | War artist | |
Andy Kawa | South Africa | Businesswoman and social entrepreneur | |
Bahia Shehab | Lebanon
Egypt |
Artist, designer and art historian | |
Divya Sharma | India | Science student | |
Jocelyn Bell Burnell | United Kingdom | Scientist who discovered Pulsars | |
Eleni Antoniadou | Greece | Co-founder Transplants Without Donors | |
Shelina Zahra Janmohamed | United Kingdom | Blogger, columnist and author | |
Salinee Tavaranan | Thailand | Engineer and social entrepreneur | |
Hatoon Kadi | Saudi Arabia | Comedian | |
Brie Rogers Lowery | United Kingdom | Director of Change.org | |
Balvinder Saund | United Kingdom | Chair of Women's Sikh Alliance | |
Cora Sherlock[67] | Ireland | Pro-life campaigner and blogger | |
Alaa Murabit | Canada
Libya |
Founder, The Voice of Libyan Women | |
Bushra El-Turk | United Kingdom
Lebanon |
Composer for London Symphony Orchestra | |
Kim Winser | United Kingdom | Founder, Winser London | |
Arzu Geybullayeva | Azerbaijan | Blogger | |
Judith Webb | United Kingdom | First female commander of an all-male British Army squadron | |
Sarah Hesterman | Qatar | Equal rights campaigner | |
Sana Saleem | Pakistan | Pakistani campaigner against Internet censorship | |
Asma Mansour | Tunisia | Co-founder of Tunisian Centre for Social Entrepreneurship | |
Diana Nammi | United Kingdom | Kurdish women's rights campaigner against "honour killing" | |
Funmi Iyanda | Nigeria | Talk show host, journalist, activist | |
Karen Masters | United Kingdom | Scientist at the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation | |
Khuloud Saba | Syria | Researcher and public health worker | |
Yolanda Wang Yixuan | People's Republic of China | Women's rights campaigner | |
Ayesha Mustafa | United Kingdom | Founder and director of FashionComPassion.co.uk | |
Obiageli Ezekwesili | Nigeria | Former World Bank Vice President for Africa and Former Minister for Education | |
Tehmina Kazi | United Kingdom | Director of British Muslims for Secular Democracy | |
Sophi Tranchell | United Kingdom | Head of Divine Chocolate | |
Boghuma Kabisen Titanji | Cameroon | Virologist and campaigner for ethical medical research | |
Dwi Rubiyanti Kholifah | Indonesia | Women's movement leader | |
Anjali Ramachandran | United Kingdom | Head of Innovation at PHD | |
Yas Necati | United Kingdom | Campaigner for better sex education | |
Yeonmi Park | South Korea | Activist raising awareness of the plight of her people in North Korea | |
Irene Li | Hong Kong | Citizen journalist who took part in and documented protests | |
Sandee Pyne | Myanmar | Chief executive of Community Partners International, focused on aid | |
Temie Giwa | Nigeria
United States |
Founder of the One Percent Project, facilitating blood donation | |
Kavita Krishnan | India | Secretary, All India Progressive Women's Association | |
Sarah Khan | Pakistan | Filmmaker and campaigner | |
Nicky Moffat | United Kingdom | Highest Ranked woman in British Armed Forces | |
Alice Powell | United Kingdom | Racing driver and first female to win a Formula Renault Championship | |
Misty Haith | United Kingdom | Research Engineer at Imperial College London | |
Sally Sabry | Egypt | Businesswoman | |
Kate Smurthwaite | United Kingdom | Comedian and activist | |
Susana Lopez | Mexico | Virologist specialising in rotavirus | |
Jaya Luintel | Nepal | Journalist and women's rights advocate | |
Nicola Sturgeon | Scotland
United Kingdom |
First Minister of Scotland |
This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: Unlink non-notable WP:BLP1E or WP:LOWPROFILE. (December 2017) |
The 2013 event was a month-long BBC series that took place in October.[9] The series examined the role of women in the 21st century and culminated in an event held at BBC Broadcasting House in London, United Kingdom on 25 October 2013 involving a hundred women from around the world, all of whom came from different walks of life.[9] The day featured debate and discussion on radio, television and online, in which the participants were asked to give their opinions about the issues facing women.[1]
The event held on 25 October 2013 featured 100 women from all walks of life.[68]
Image | Name | Occupation |
---|---|---|
Salwa Abu Libdeh | Palestinian television journalist | |
Madawi Al-Rasheed | Saudi academic and gender expert | |
Nadia Al-Sakkaf | Editor, Yemen Times | |
Sreymom Ang | Cambodian fashion designer | |
Anna Arrowsmith | English porn film director | |
Joyce Aoko Aruga | Student teacher in Kenya | |
Moe Thuzar Aung | Myanmar state broadcast | |
Rehana Azib | London-based barrister | |
Firuza Aliyeva | Associate Director, Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy | |
Zainab Hawa Bangura | UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict | |
Michaela Bergman | Chief Counsellor for Social Issues, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development | |
Claire Bertschinger | Anglo-Swiss nurse whose work inspired Live Aid | |
Ingrid Betancourt | French-Colombian former politician and FARC hostage | |
Cherie Blair | British barrister and philanthropist | |
Emma Bonino | Minister of Foreign Affairs, Italy | |
Yvonne Brewster | Stage director, teacher and writer | |
Gurinder Chadha | British-Asian film director | |
Nervana Mahmoud | Egyptian blogger and commentator | |
Irina Chakraborty | Russian-Finnish-Indian engineer | |
Shadi Sadr | Iranian lawyer and human rights defender | |
Chipo Chung | Chinese-Zimbabwean actor and activist | |
Helen Clark | Head of UN Development Programme, former New Zealand Prime Minister | |
Diane Coyle | Economist, writer and blogger | |
Caroline Criado Perez | British journalist and feminist campaigner | |
Jody Day | Founder of Gateway Women, a network for childless women | |
Es Devlin | British theatre designer | |
Klára Dobrev | Hungarian lawyer and economist | |
Efua Dorkenoo | Ghanaian Senior Advisor to Equality Now and campaigner against female genital mutilation | |
Sigridur Maria Egilsdottir | Iceland's champion debater | |
Marwa El-Daly | Egyptian grassroots activists, founder of the Waqfeyat Foundation | |
Bushra El-Turk | British-Lebanese composer | |
Obiageli Ezekwesili | Senior adviser, Open Society Foundations | |
Caroline Farrow | Catholic writer, blogger and pro-life activist | |
Anne Stella Fomumbod | Women's rights activist, Cameroon | |
Teresa Forcades | Radical Spanish nun | |
Razan Ghazzawi | Syrian blogger and activist | |
Rebecca Gomperts | Dutch doctor, head of Women on Waves | |
Tanni Grey-Thompson | Winner of 11 Paralympic Games gold medals | |
Parveen Hassan | Conservative women's organiser, UK | |
Barbara Hewson | Senior barrister, UK | |
Anis Hidayah | Indonesian activist working on migrant worker rights | |
Deborah Hopkins | British mother and political activist | |
Rose Hudson-Wilkin | Jamaican born British priest | |
Bettany Hughes | Historian, author, broadcaster | |
Rubana Huq | Bangladeshi textile manufacturer | |
Leyla Hussein | Co-founder, Daughters of Eve, anti-violence campaigner | |
Heather Jackson (CEO) | CEO of An Inspirational Journey and founder of The Women's Business Forum | |
Shelina Zahra Janmohamed | Blogger, columnist and author | |
Laura Janner-Klausner | Movement rabbi, specializing in Reform Judaism | |
Aowen Jin | Chinese contemporary artist | |
Andy Kawa | South African businesswoman, anti-violence campaigner | |
Tehmina Kazi | Director, British Muslims for a Secular Democracy | |
Jude Kelly | Artistic Director, Southbank Centre | |
Fereshteh Khosroujerdy | Visually impaired Iranian singer | |
Azadeh Kian | Iranian academic and gender specialist | |
Kanya King | CEO and founder, Mobo | |
Fawzia Koofi | MP and former Deputy Speaker, Afghan National Parliament | |
Dina Korzun | Russian actor and charity activist | |
Martha Lane-Fox | UK technology entrepreneur | |
Paris Lees | Transgender broadcaster | |
Ann Leslie | Journalist | |
Sian Lindley | Researcher in social technology | |
Pontso Mafethe | Programme manager, Comic Relief | |
Brooke Magnanti | Forensic scientist, author, former sex worker | |
Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba | Deputy Secretary General, the Commonwealth | |
Shirley Meredeen | Founding member, Growing Old Disgracefully | |
Samar Samir Mezghanni | Record-breaking young Tunisian writer | |
Shazia Mirza | British comedian | |
Aditi Mittal | Indian comedian | |
Rosmery Mollo | Indigenous Bolivian activist | |
Orzala Ashraf Nemat | Afghan scholar and civil society activist | |
Pauline Neville-Jones | Former UK Security and Counter-Terrorism Minister | |
Susie Orbach | Psychotherapist and author | |
Mirina Paananen | Islamic researcher | |
Claudia Paz y Paz | Attorney General, Guatemala | |
Mariane Pearl | French journalist, founder of Chime for Change | |
Laura Perrins | Stay-at-home mother | |
Charlotte Raven | British feminist and journalist | |
Gail Rebuck | Chief executive, Random House UK | |
Justine Roberts | Founder, Mumsnet | |
Sarah Rogers | Voice of Women community radio, Sierra Leone | |
Fatima Said | British-Egyptian pro-democracy advocate | |
Balvinder Saund | Chair of Sikh Women's Alliance | |
Kamila Shamsie | UK-based Pakistani writer | |
Divya Sharma | Indian electronics and communications engineer | |
Bahia Shehab | Lebanese-Egyptian artist, designer and art historian | |
Joanna Shields | Chair and CEO, Tech City Investment Organisation | |
Stephanie Shirley | Businesswoman and philanthropist | |
Clare Short | British politician, former International Development Secretary | |
Jacqui Smith | Former UK Home Secretary | |
Kate Smurthwaite | British stand-up comedian and activist | |
Rainatou Sow | Guinean founder, Make Every Woman Count | |
Louise Stephenson | Trainee counsellor, UK | |
May Tha Hla | Founder, Helping The Burmese Delta | |
Natasha Walter | British feminist writer and campaigner | |
Judith Webb | First female commander of all-male British Army squadron | |
Saadia Zahidi | Head of Gender Parity and Human Capital, World Economic Forum | |
Dinara Zhorobekova | Student, Kyrgyzstan | |
Gemma Godfrey | Board director, broadcaster | |
Martina Navratilova | 18-time Grand Slam singles tennis champion |
Name | Occupation |
---|---|
Sarah Walker | Head of the English Collective of Prostitutes[1] |
Cerrie Burnell | Children's television presenter[1] |
Selma James | Writer and activist[1] |
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