Stories of Hope, January 2025

group of people together in a circle 

Meet Asim Akhram. Today, Asim works with AJWS partner organization Talash Society for Inner Strength, Peace & Equality in Kolkata to help boys and young men break out of Indian society’s rigid, patriarchal beliefs that women have less power than men. But Asim had to go on his own unlearning journey (thanks to Talash) to become the gender equality advocate and teacher he is today.

With Donald Trump about to begin his second term as United States president, we could think of no better story to give us hope this month. Toxic masculinity, sexism and bigotry may be pervasive, but the work of Talash is proof that change is possible.

Learn Asim’s story and hear directly from Talash founder/director Ayesha Sinha below!

Ayesha Sinha in a dark red shirt, looking towards video camera and preparing to speak

 

More Stories of Hope

With Asim’s story in mind, let’s travel to Latin America, where AJWS support has enabled our partner Asociación de Lisiados de Guerra de El Salvador (ALGES) to embolden marginalized, rural women to claim their power as community leaders.

photo of four people smiling at the camera in the sun. underneath: Thanks to the support of AJWS, the women in our community have empowered themselves. We have reclaimed our breath; we've become stronger. We are leading projects, despite our age and disabilities. And I see a light going on across the movement - we're hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, as brothers and sisters fighting together." - Olga Serrano, Executive Director of ALGES

We know so much uncertainty lies ahead. But our global movement for change — our mission to build a better, more just and equal world — isn’t going anywhere. And your role in our movement is critical.

We’ll close Stories of Hope with a call to action. With the Trump administration taking office, we expect a torrent of policies that will undermine human rights worldwide. That’s why we’ve just launched the AJWS Action Network, a group of AJWS community members taking a stand against dangerous policies. Learn more, and take action today, right here.

Thank you for fighting alongside us.

In solidarity,

Your friends at AJWS