Stories
Popular Story Collections
Take a deeper look at our stories from around the world.
38 stories
Video
Watch our videos to learn how AJWS is supporting people around the world who are fighting to improve the lives of millions.
22 stories
Sexual Health and Rights
We support women, girls and LGBTQI+ people, as they organize to end discrimination, stop violence and live with dignity, safety and health.
8 stories
Ruth Messinger
A tribute to a truly extraordinary leader, AJWS’s former President and its first Global Ambassador.
62 stories
Robert Bank
Get to know Robert Bank! Robert joined AJWS in 2009 as our Executive Vice President. As of July 1, 2016, Robert became the President and CEO of AJWS.
14 stories
Photos
A look at the work we do to end poverty and promote human rights in the developing world.
21 stories
Land Water and Climate Justice
We aid communities and movements organizing to protect the land, water and natural resources that people depend on for their survival.
2 stories
Haitian Leaders on Haitian Change
14 stories
Ending Child Marriage
Each year, 15 million girls worldwide are married before the age of 18—sometimes against their will. AJWS supports efforts to end child marriage by bringing girls and young women together to define their own futures.
20 stories
Civil and Political Rights
We aid communities and movements that speak out against injustice, hold governments accountable to respect the rights of all people, and work to recover from civil wars and other conflicts.
4 stories
Activists Up Close
Witness social change up close through these videos from around the globe. You'll watch a day in the life of an activist AJWS supports and learn how they change lives and build social movements for justice.
3 stories
Activism Through the Artist's Lens: Photography Series
27 stories
30 at 30
In celebration of AJWS’s 30th anniversary, we profiled 30 global leaders who have partnered with AJWS to build a better world.
All Stories
Masafu’s Story: “I had to do something — this cannot pass.”
These days, Masafu Okwara’s sense of pride is as vibrant as the rainbow walls of NGLHRC’s Nairobi offices. But her journey here was long and painful. As one of the of NGLHRC’s program officers, Masafu provides free legal counsel, guidance and often representation to LGBTQI+ people who are unjustly arrested, persecuted or have their rights …
Sharlotte’s Story: “When someone we love is in trouble, we turn the world upside down.”
As NGLHRC’s in-house psychologist, Sharlotte Kigezo is often called to the front lines to serve LGBTQI+ people in crisis — folks at their absolute lowest, in desperate need of help, hope and compassion. Sharlotte offers them a seemingly endless well of support, but does not let the darkness swallow her. In fact, she is NGLHRC’s …
Alpha’s Story: “Even if I call at midnight, they always pick up.”
Alpha lost their parents as a child and began living on the streets of Machakos county, Kenya. Thankfully, they were informally adopted by a teacher who noticed they’d stopped attending school — an opportunity that changed their lives. But challenges persisted. In high school, Alpha was subjected to conversion therapy after a friend outed them …
Nelson’s Story: “You don’t die when you come out of the closet. Instead, you learn to really live.”
Across two generations — a family transformed
It was Yanilda Juan, 23, who brought her family to Muñecas Negras. Today, her sisters and their daughters joined: seven Juan women in all. “This project doesn’t just teach us to stitch dolls. It teaches us to love ourselves, our roots, our ancestors, our hair, our skin. To understand that everything we have is gold, …
Stitching together a strong sense of identity
The Muñecas Negras initiative brings together women and girls, largely from communities of Haitian descent, in rural areas across the Dominican Republic — giving them a safe space to connect, take pride in their identity and learn about their history, all while creating dolls that share their skin color. Below, step into Batey Carmona to …
Activists Up Close: Meet Three People Changing What’s Possible for Their Communities
Welcome to Activists Up Close, our new video series inviting you inside the lives of human rights activists that AJWS supports around the world. Mercy, Misael and Pisey are all working every day to build a better future for their communities. Below, you’ll hear their inspiring stories told proudly in their own words. The work …
Against Legal Challenges, Grantees in Kenya Are Expanding LGBTQI+ Acceptance
Living as an LGTBQI+ person in Kenya has always meant living under threat — often from your own community and certainly from the laws of the country, which makes same-sex relationships illegal. But AJWS grantees, led by truly inspiring activists, are creating change city by city. Esther “Essy” Adhiambo is one powerful activist at the …
On the Road: Khushi’s Story
As a teenager, Khushi Prajapati worried for her future. Her family had lost everything. Forced to move to a Delhi slum, she worked long hours as a maid, but the family could barely make ends meet. If she didn’t figure out a plan for her future, Khushi faced the likely prospect of an unwanted, early …