The Women Who Inspire Us This Women’s Day 2025

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who don’t just survive but rise. They arrived in Armenia with suitcases filled with memories and hearts heavy with loss. War, conflict, and displacement had taken everything — homes, careers, communities. But there was one thing no one could take from them: their talent.

Their hands had always been skilled—whether in the delicate art of embroidery, the rhythmic kneading of dough, or the bold strokes of a paintbrush. And so, with nothing but their craft and sheer determination, they began again.

This year, the theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” At UNHCR, we see these words come to life every day in the refugee women who are shaping their own futures, one stitch, one brushstroke, one loaf of bread at a time.

We are inspired by Maral, a Syrian Armenian woman who found strength and purpose through her craft. When she arrived in Armenia, she picked up her embroidery needle and turned her passion into a profession. A master artisan in Armenian embroidery, felting, knitting, and sewing, Maral has transformed her skills into a thriving business, earning recognition for her craftsmanship.

“For me, Women’s Day is a reminder of how far we’ve come—not just as women, but as creators, dreamers, and survivors. I started with uncertainty, but today, I stand with confidence, turning my passion into something that empowers me and others.”- Maral

Today, she leads a refugee women’s handicraft group, stitching not only beautiful patterns but also opportunities for others.

We are moved by Inna, a baker whose joy has always been in the rhythmic kneading of dough, the warmth of an oven, and the satisfaction of seeing people enjoy her food. In her café, the scent of fresh bread and pastries welcomes locals and refugees alike.

Every loaf she kneads, every pastry she crafts, carries a touch of home and a taste of new beginnings. She believes that:

“Baking is more than bread—it’s my story, my strength, and my way of honoring the past while shaping the future. This Women’s Day, I remind every woman that no matter where life takes you, your passion and resilience will always carry you forward.” – Inna

We are inspired by Olena Shevchuk, a Ukrainian refugee who turned hardship into purpose. Determined to support refugees, she became a pillar of strength through the Ukrainian Forum NGO Dopomoga.am, creating a space where people could find guidance, connection, and hope. Through advocacy, community initiatives, and unwavering dedication, she has turned her own challenges into a force for collective empowerment. For Olena, helping others is not just an act of kindness—it is a responsibility, a way to ensure that no one faces hardship alone.

“Women are the foundation of every community, carrying strength, resilience, and hope wherever they go. This Women’s Day, I celebrate every woman who lifts others up, who turns struggle into strength, and who believes in a future where we all rise together.” – Olena 

We admire Ayda, an artisan whose hands weave generations of heritage into every embroidered piece she creates. Named after her grandmother, her boutique is more than a shop—it’s a testament to the power of women preserving culture, empowering themselves, and passing their strength on to others.

“I once thought my craft was just a skill, but I now see it as my strength and a message for women—proof that we can rebuild, create, and thrive no matter where life takes us,” – Ayda

We celebrate Rita, an artist and refugee from Karabakh, who paints what words cannot express. Inspired by Picasso, she pours her emotions onto canvas bags, blending past pain with future hope.

“A year ago, I lost my home, but I refused to lose myself.  Every color I paint is a piece of my journey—a journey of strength, renewal, and hope.

On this Women’s Day, I celebrate the power within every woman to rise, to create, and to begin again.”- Rita

We are in awe of the KolorArt women—Danteline from Haiti, Kristel, Klarisse, and Pierrette from Congo, and Lamarana from Guinea. Together, they craft traditional dolls, each one a reminder of where they came from and the futures they are building.

“Every doll we craft carries our stories—of where we’ve been, the struggles we’ve faced, and the futures we are determined to build. Displacement took us from home, but not our spirit or our will to create.

This Women’s Day, I celebrate the power of sisterhood, of women uplifting women, and the unbreakable strength we find in each other. When we stand together, we rise together” – says Lamarana.

We admire Theingi, a refugee from Myanmar who found a new way to belong—through food. Discovering Armenia’s love for lavash, she blended it with the Flavors of her homeland, proving that cultures can intertwine, that food is a language of belonging, and that adaptation is its own art. Laughing, she admits, “Lavash saved me! Now, I use it to make my spring rolls, and people love it!”

“Strength is not just about endurance—it’s about love, about hope, and about rebuilding even when the world changes around you. As a woman, a mother, and a wife, I have learned that true resilience is found in the people we hold close and the dreams we refuse to let go. This Women’s Day, I celebrate every woman who rises, not just for herself, but for those she loves and the future she dares to create.” – Theingi  

More Than Women—They Are Builders of New Futures

These women have endured loss, uncertainty, and hardship. But they refuse to be defined by what they have lost. Instead, they are shaping a new world—one stitch, one brushstroke, one loaf of bread at a time.

They are more than artisans, bakers, and painters.

They are pioneers forging new paths, entrepreneurs building from nothing, and leaders inspiring the next generation.

Their hands do more than create; they rebuild futures—with love, with strength, with resilience.

To all women and girls: You hold within you an unlimited strength—one that can shape your destiny, defy the odds, and create the life you dream of. No barrier is greater than your will, no challenge stronger than your courage. You are powerful beyond measure, and the world is waiting for your light to shine. Happy Women Day’s 2025.