Bringing Together Leaders for Learning, Skill-Building and Mutual Inspiration

PHI’s Rise Up’s global network of leaders continues to grow stronger through connection, collaboration, and shared purpose. Following Rise Up’s in-person Accelerators in both Nigeria and India in 2024, they brought together leaders from each country for dynamic virtual convenings. While each region faces unique challenges and opportunities, these gatherings provide virtual spaces for continued learning, skill-building, and mutual inspiration.

Learn about three Rise Up Leaders: Shivani Priya, who participated in the India convening, and Abdul Ahmed and Shettima Ahmadu, who joined the Nigeria convening and are collaborating on a joint advocacy project. They all shared how the experience helped fuel their momentum and deepen their commitment to the work that they do.

Rise Up Leader Shivani Priya

During a virtual convening with Rise Up Leaders in Jharkhand, India, the spirit of deep learning and collaboration was unmistakable. For Shivani Priya, a passionate advocate for women and children’s rights, the gathering was both grounding and transformative.

Through her leadership at her organization Bal Kalyan Sangh, Shivani is building protective safety nets and expanding economic opportunities for women migrants, many of whom become domestic workers. “This isn’t just a profession for me – it’s a deeply personal commitment,” Shivani said.

Becoming a Rise Up Leader, Shivani explained, provided her with new tools and strategies to approach her work more effectively. “Before Rise Up, tools like political mapping, SWOT analysis, and structured proposal writing weren’t part of our regular process. Now, I use these frameworks every day – they’ve completely reshaped how I plan, act, and reflect.”

Rise Up Leaders Abdul Ahmed and Shettima Ahmadu

In Nigeria, Rise Up Leaders Abdul Ahmed and Shettima Ahmadu have teamed up to tackle a critical barrier to girls’ education. After the government withdrew support for exam fee payments, many girls in Kaduna State were forced to drop out of school. Witnessing the devastating impact of this policy shift, Abdul and Shettima launched a joint advocacy project, “Advocating for Equitable Access to Education for Vulnerable Girls” to ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of a girl’s future.

Their collaboration began during the Rise Up Leadership and Advocacy Accelerator, where they recognized their strength in unity.

The Nigeria convening provided an invaluable space for reflection, growth, and renewed purpose.

Most importantly, being part of Rise Up’s community and participating in the convening has deepened their understanding of what it takes to build a sustainable movement for gender equity. “Gathering with other leaders fosters collaboration, diverse perspectives, and shared learning,” they emphasized. “This kind of community brings collective strength, accelerates success, and amplifies impact. It’s essential for advancing gender justice at a larger scale.”

From India to Nigeria, it is clear that Rise Up convenings strengthen leaders’ ability to create real change and cultivate a sense of solidarity and community.

A version of this impact story first appeared in a Rise Up newsletter and on their website.