World Pulse Digital Ambassador Program 2021: Impact and Reflections

World Pulse Digital Ambassadors have their hands on their keyboards and their feet on the ground. The result: The voices of women and girls are being heard louder and farther.

Last month, World Pulse Digital Ambassadors reported on the events they held in 2021 and applied to renew their term. At the same time, new World Pulse leaders applied to join the cohort and shared their plans for the year ahead. Let's celebrate their successes and take a look at the reported impact of this group of 151 leaders—and what's being planned for 2022.

Reflections from 2021

“[I am] attending online conferences and workshops and confidently; participating in them has a lot to do with the training and assurances received during Ambassador calls especially. Before, I could turn down speaking engagements but these days, I embrace them. . .. Whenever I talk with someone especially seeing the way they express themselves, I tell them join World Pulse to get a bigger platform of sisters who will listen, encourage and cheer you on. ” - Arrey-Echi, Cameroon

In September, a total of 55 Digital Ambassadors reported on their events from the last 12 months across 20 countries.

As we celebrate all the Digital Ambassadors for their incredible work amidst the global pandemic, a global humanitarian crisis, and climate change displacing millions, our Digital Ambassadors have shown us that with innovation and a heart full of passion, women can achieve anything we put our minds to.

Here is a summary of what they said:

• Ambassadors held a total of 1, 356 events, training 21, 672 people. From this,
  
  
  
  
  • 228 online events helped train 12, 117 people.
  
  
  • 778 in person events helped train 9, 205 people.
  
  
  • 350 one on one sessions held with women and girls.
  
  
  
  


• In doing so, the 55 Digital Ambassadors trained across 40 different topics ranging from digital literacy, digital empowerment, activism, gender-based violence, storytelling, leadership training, child marriage, peacebuilding, COVID-19, human rights, caregiving for children with disabilities, social media, and more!

Interestingly, in the last year, these Digital Ambassadors trained four times as many people online as they did in the last three years! Even Though the Digital Ambassadors led in-person events, they reached more women and girls through online training - showing us the power and reach of digital training and digital media for social change.

Looking Ahead: Visions for 2022

In this spirit of celebration, we are excited to welcome 16 new Digital Ambassadors from 12 countries. They will be joining the World Pulse Digital Ambassadors in helping to lift the voices of women and girls worldwide.

Here are some visions and plans for the coming year:

• Encouraging girls to share their stories and highlighting the power of storytelling for change.


• Training on gender-based violence, and encouraging women and girls to stand up for their rights such as staying in school, saying no to child marriage, calling out abuse when it happens, etc.


• Peacebuilding and developing intercultural dialogues in conflict regions.


• Working with men and encouraging them to be allies for women’s rights and women’s movement.


• Working closely with local authorities and community women to build new bridges in the direction of improving the conditions of women and girls in rural regions.


• Training on vocational courses and skill development, so women can find work and develop financial independence.

“As a World Pulse Digital Ambassador, I made a difference in my life on my personal performance and in the lives of others (the girls in my community). I empowered them to have confidence in themselves and to show them that they are capable and that their voices can change the world. .. After the training everyone was happy and in this same year, a young girl who is our vice coordinator of the Muslim youth group in our community, she had chased the fear in her and convinced herself that she is able to lead too. ” - Djamilah Ibrahim, DRC

To read more from the Digital Ambassadors about their work and the events held, visit our Digital Ambassadors page! Show Them some love or leave an encouraging comment to celebrate all they do.

Are you interested in applying for the Digital Ambassador Program? Check out the FAQ and read more about the program here.