“Workers are dropping out of the labor force in droves, and they are mostly women. In fact, many are young women. But they are not dropping out forever; instead, these young women seem to be postponing their working lives to get more education. There are now — for the first time in three decades — more young women in school than in the work force.”

How is this impacting the economy and the workforce as a whole? 

“Days after a prominent Yemeni human rights activist became the first Arab woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, dozens of women were injured after gangs attacked during a march in her honor, witnesses in the city of Taiz said Monday. Thousands of women gathered in the southern Yemeni city to celebrate Tawakkol Karman’s honor Sunday. Demonstrators also called on the international community to support a revolution in Yemen, witnesses said. At least 38 women were injured by rocks and batons when pro-government gangs attacked at Sunday’s march, said Yasser al-Nusari, a medic in Taiz’s Freedom Square. Abdulhaleem Al-Madashi, a spokesman for the protest movement there, corroborated that account. The Yemeni government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.” Read more at CNN. 

It can be shocking how the accomplishments of women can ignite such fiercely opposing emotions and reactions from men and women in various cultures. Though women face barriers and opposition daily, we must continue to celebrate the victories and triumphs that we do gain and move forward hoping to inspire other women through the hardships to become the best the best that they can. Though sometimes it seems to feel like one great leap forward incites various small push-backs, we must continue to push forward! Giving just one girl the opportunity for education might one day allow her to gain the entire world as her audience. Women should look towards that potential for every small voice to step upon a community-wide platform. Despite the violence and push-back, like these courageous Yemeni women, women should all continue to fight for the recognition and rights that we deserve!

In Libya’s capital city, hundreds of people recently turned out for a fundraiser organized by women from the city. The scene almost seems reminiscent of a high school bake sale where the women sold baked goods and handicrafts. There was even a moon bounce for the kids and face painting!

What was different? “Most of the women wore headscarves, and among the more popular items for sale were hand-knitted versions of the Libyan flag. The women running this fundraiser are revolutionaries, and they played a large but often unsung role in the uprising that toppled Moammar Gadhafi back in August. Now, they want a larger role in the new government and political system under construction in Libya.”

Who says that a baked goods and crafts-making fundraiser can’t go a long way? If there is a will there is a way. These inspiring women demonstrate an incredible strength of conviction in having their rights- to a voice, to education and to a better life. For those of you finding ways to raise awareness and money for your cause, don’t be afraid to just run a very back to basics bake sale! At Circle of Women, we both believe in a girl’s right to education and the power that cupcakes and cookies have in helping to create that opportunity.

Listen to the full NPR story here.