Highlights of the BBC's 100 most influential women of 2024

The BBC's 100 Women
Resilience generates transformation
Climate challenges
Plestia Alaqad, Palestine, Journalist and writer
Hamida Aman, Afghanistan, Media and education entrepreneur
Yasmeen Mjalli, Palestinian Territories, Designer
Raye, UK, Singer
Allyson Felix, US, track and field athlete
Naomi Watanabe, Japan, comedian
Madison Tevlin, Canada, presenter and model
Overcoming barriers
Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, Uganda, diversity activist
The right to diversity
Margarita Barrientos, Argentina, founder of a community soup kitchen
Fight against hunger
Sharon Stone, USA, actress
Vinesh Phogat, India, wrestler
Guerline M. Jozef, Haiti, immigration rights activist
Elaha Soroor, Afghanistan, singer and composer
Inna Modja, Mali, artist and climate activist
The BBC's 100 Women

The BBC has revealed its list of the 100 most inspiring and influential women in the world in 2024. In this gallery, we will highlight 12 of them.

Resilience generates transformation

The main objective of the list is to highlight women who, with resilience, face major crises and drive transformations in a constantly changing world.

Climate challenges

Additionally, the list reinforces the commitment to addressing the climate emergency by highlighting leaders who are helping their communities face and adapt to environmental challenges.

 

Plestia Alaqad, Palestine, Journalist and writer

She was born in Gaza, this 22-year-old is a Palestinian journalist and poet who gained international recognition for her real-time coverage of the Israel-Hamas war that began on October 7, 2023. According to BBC "Alaqad is One Young World's Journalist of the Year 2024. She has also campaigned for Palestinians at high-profile forums like the World Government Summit."

 

Hamida Aman, Afghanistan, Media and education entrepreneur

She is a prominent Afghan media entrepreneur, journalist, and advocate for women's rights. Her family fled Afghanistan due to conflict, seeking refuge in Switzerland when she was six years old. In Switzerland, Aman pursued studies in journalism and communication, which laid the foundation for her future endeavors

 

"The Begum Academy"

"When Afghan girls were denied access to secondary education by the Taliban, media entrepreneur Hamida Aman decided to launch the Begum Academy, an online space offering free multimedia courses for students who were not able to attend school," according to BBC.

Yasmeen Mjalli, Palestinian Territories, Designer

She is a Palestinian-American designer, artist, and activist renowned for her work in ethical fashion and women's empowerment. She launched her brand Nöl Collective in 2020, through Nöl Collective, Mjalli collaborates with local artisans, focusing on traditional textiles, weaving, and embroidery to tell stories about Palestine and its people.

Raye, UK, Singer

Singer-songwriter Raye made history at this year's Brit Awards, winning six of the seven awards she was nominated for. In 2023, she achieved a significant milestone with her single 'Escapism', which topped the UK charts, marking her first number-one hit as a solo artist. In 2024, Raye made history at the Brit Awards with a record-breaking six wins and seven nominations, solidifying her status as a leading figure in the music industry.

Allyson Felix, US, track and field athlete

She is a retired American track and field athlete, widely regarded as one of the greatest sprinters in the history of the sport. "With a record 20 World Championship medals and 11 Olympic medals to her name, Allyson Felix is the most decorated track and field athlete in history," according to BBC.

Naomi Watanabe, Japan, comedian

Naomi Watanabe is a revolutionary comedian and plus-size icon who redefined beauty and humor standards in Japan, inspiring a generation with her authenticity and charisma.

Madison Tevlin, Canada, presenter and model

Madison Tevlin, actress, and model, conquered the world with the viral video of the campaign 'Assume That I Can', which broke down prejudices about Down syndrome.

Overcoming barriers

The initiative, with more than 150 million views, won awards such as the Golden Lion at Cannes. Tevlin also presented the award-winning program 'Who Do You Think I Am?' and the podcast '21 Questions'.

 

Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, Uganda, diversity activist

Nabagesera is leading the fight against legislation that criminalizes homosexuality in Uganda, where same-sex acts are punishable by prison.

The right to diversity

She is a pioneer in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in Africa, with a degree from Nkumba University, a scholarship at Stanford (USA), and diversity initiatives at the UN, the European Parliament, and the African Commission.

Margarita Barrientos, Argentina, founder of a community soup kitchen

Margarita Barrientos transformed a small community cafeteria for 15 people into an initiative that now feeds more than 5,000 Argentines daily.

Fight against hunger

Recognized for her fight against hunger in a country where 53% live in poverty, her work has been supported by companies and celebrities, including Lionel Messi, who donated an autographed shirt for auction.

Sharon Stone, USA, actress

A successful Hollywood actress, Sharon Stone has also devoted much of her time to philanthropic work. She was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on behalf of people with HIV.

Vinesh Phogat, India, wrestler

Vinesh Phogat, one of India's most decorated female wrestlers, is a vocal advocate against sexism in sports. She led protests against the head of the wrestling federation, who was accused of sexual harassment, and even faced police arrests to raise awareness for her cause.

Guerline M. Jozef, Haiti, immigration rights activist

Guerline M. Jozef (center), an advocate for immigrant rights in the United States, is the founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, a women-led organization focused on people of African descent. This year, under her leadership, the organization sued Donald Trump for making baseless statements about Haitians during his presidential campaign.

Elaha Soroor, Afghanistan, singer and composer

Elaha Soroor is a London-based Afghan singer, composer, and activist, renowned for her powerful vocals and commitment to women's rights. In October 2024, Soroor wrote the anthem "Naan, Kar, Azadi!" ("Bread, Work, Freedom!") at the All Afghan Women Summit in Albania, aiming to empower Afghan women facing oppressive Taliban laws.

Inna Modja, Mali, artist and climate activist

A UN Ambassador to Combat Desertification, Modja produced and starred in The Great Green Wall, a documentary that highlights Africa's efforts to stem the advance of the desert and reclaim land in the Sahel, a region south of the Sahara. She also gives voice to communities impacted by climate change.

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