In their own words

1. 

   Alyse Nelson

   New York

   CEO, Vital Voices

   "One in three women will be a victim of violence in their lifetime."
2. 

   Ann Leslie

   London

   Special Correspondent, The Daily Mail

   "Women's rights really mean human rights to me."
3. 

   Anna Marano

   London

   Office manager

   "Women are the foundations of Africa."
4. 

   Balu Chauhan

   New Delhi

   Community worker

   "If a woman has rights, she will be able to live life properly."
5. 

   Cherie Blair

   London

   Cherie Blair Foundation for Women

   "It's about transforming the world in the 21st century."
6. 

   Ellice Matsil

   New York

   Marketing consultant

   "I'm a child of the 60s so it's about control over one's body and equal pay for equal work."
7. 

   Jacquie Church Young

   New York

   Professor

   "It's almost harder to acknowledge the subtle discrimination that still exists."
8. 

   Jung Chang

   London

   Author of 'Wild Swans'

   "Even decent people still regard women as inferior creatures."
9. 

   Mumbi Ngugi

   Nairobi

   Lawyer and activist for people with albinism

   "The most important right is economic empowerment."
10. 

    Nancy Kanyago

    Nairobi

    Women's rights activist

    "It's the ability to make decisions that are difference between life and death."
11. 

    Omolara Williams

    New York

    Student

    "The biggest thing women are fighting for is voice."
12. 

    Penninah Owila

    Nairobi

    Student

    "The most important right for women in Kenya is the right to own land."
13. 

    Ranjana Kumari

    New Delhi

    Social scientist

    "The first and the foremost thing is the right to my dignity and my body."
14. 

    Rathi Ramanathan

    Bangkok

    Human rights activist

    "Women need to start to understand their body politics."
15. 

    Sahra Ahmed Abdi

    Nairobi

    Somalian journalist

    "In Somalia, women need security. After peace, they need to be educated."
16. 

    Shivani Chaudhry

    New Delhi

    Land rights activist

    "It's the freedom from fear, discrimination, abuse and prejudice."
17. 

    Valerie Amos

    Nairobi

    UN relief coordinator

    "I want to see women play their rightful role in peace processes."
18. 

    Zainab Salbi

    London

    Founder, Women For Women

    "Astronaut or a humanitarian aid worker - it doesn't matter what she wants."