I firmly believe today that the only way to stop violence against women is to speak out and refused to be silenced.

I don't have a child, so Women for Women is like my child. But I always said I would step down after 20 years. I didn't want to be a 60-year-old woman holding on to something I created when I was 23.

Stronger women build stronger nations.

I believe that leadership acts should be manifested by engaging in external work that can be observed and shared with everyone else.

Since war often enters homes through the "kitchen door," we need to understand women's attempts to keep life going in the face of shortage of food, closing of schools and reduced freedoms.

Leadership is not about having the charisma or speaking inspirational words, but about leading with example.

Changes don't happen in the world by playing it safe, taking risks is the way to change the world.