Let us introduce you to the inspiring women who are defying obstacles, igniting change and empowering others to follow their dreams this week.
Here are the trailblazing women making waves around the world this week.
1. Argentinian Actress Thelma Fardin
A court in Brazil has rejected a historic #MeToo case by an Argentine actress against her co-star.
29-year-old Thelma Fardin said in 2018 she was raped by her co-star Juan Darthés in 2009 when she was 16 and he was 45.
Fardin said Brazilian-born actor Darthés had lured her back to his hotel room in Nicaragua during the international tour of their film, “Patito Feo” or “Ugly Duckling”.
She said he had raped her after he forced her to touch his erection and said “look at what you do to me”, as if it was her fault.
Fardin’s story went viral and sparked a #MeToo movement in Argentina.
Darthés denied the allegations and moved back to his home in Brazil, where Fardin then sued him.
On Sunday May 14, the court acquitted Darthes over “insufficient evidence”.
Fardin said she will appeal.
2. Nigerian Startup Founder Monsurah Alli-Oluwafuyi
Alli-Oluwafuyi, 30, is the co-founder and CEO of HerRyde, a ride-hailing app that offers an alternative to mainstream platforms such as Uber and Lyft by recruit women drivers exclusively.
Watching cases of robberies, harassment and sexual assault reported by women passengers and drivers regularly make the headline in Nigeria, she felt compelled to build the platform.
“We don’t want cases where women have to be on their toes or on the edge when they are using ride-hailing services,” she said.
Apart from ensuring safety for women riders, the app also creates job opportunities for women drivers in the West African country.
HerRyde launched in August 2022 with 10 drivers in Abuja, capital of Nigeria.
3. Congolese Soccer Coach Salama Miruho Djasmine
Meet Salama Miruho Djasmine, the first woman coach to train a men’s soccer team in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As head coach at Daring Club Virunga, one of the top teams in North Kivu province, she is breaking barriers and inspiring young women everywhere.
Soccer runs in Djasmine’s family, with her father as a referee and her five brothers as players.
She was once a player herself but decided to pursue her passion for coaching and become a professional coach.
