On this week’s edition of Our Voices, we discuss breast ironing, a form of female genital mutilation, FGM, which is commonly practiced in Africa. This is when the breasts of young girls are flattened to deter unwanted male attention.

Guests on the show include, Chi Yvonne Leina, a Cameroonian women’s rights advocate and Margaret Nyuydzewira, a survivor of breast ironing and the founder of CAME Women and Girls Development Organization.

On Our Voices: VOA unpacks the pressures that are faced by first-born daughters in Africa. Experts say they are often seen as the third parent to younger siblings.

Hosts Auriane Itangishaka, Simegnish Mengesha and Anasthasie Tudieshe are joined by a panel of experts to discuss how first-born daughters handle the responsibilities placed on them.

Guests include Ms. Paris Capleton of the National Health Service and Ms. Yasin Bojang, the co-founder of Home Girls Unite.

On this week’s edition of Our Voices, we commemorate 12 women who were recipients of this year’s International Women of Courage Award, an initiative led by the U.S. State Department. Three Africans are among the awardees – Agather Atuhaire, Fatou Baldeh and Rabha El Haymar. We speak with them on the show.

This and more on today’s Our Voices!

On this week’s edition of Our Voices, we commemorate International Woman’s Day on March 8th by taking a closer look at this year's theme “Inspire Inclusion,” emphasizing the importance of diversity and gender equity in all aspects of society. Rwanda's Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Dr. Valentine Uwamariya shares her insights on gender inclusivity for African women and examines what it means to truly inspire inclusion. Dr. Josephine Jarpa Dawuni, director of Howard University’s Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership, will share how to speak up against gender bias and how to forge a better world where women are empowered to innovate, lead and inspire future generations.

On this week’s edition of Our Voices, we discuss holistic healing and other alternative means of treatment, including meditation, reiki and yoga.

Guests include Avalaura Gaither of Avalaura’s Healing Center and Opare Densua of Elevated Tea Company.

On this week’s edition of “Our Voices” we speak to Sudanese and South Sudanese women who are advocating for peace and stability in their respective nations.

Women played a critical role in Sudan’s revolution that led to the deposition of President Omar al-Bashir. They were also instrumental in the establishment of South Sudan, the youngest nation in the world.

Guests include, Samah Salman, a Sudanese analyst and the president of the U.S. Educated Sudanese Association. We are also joined by Nyakan John Gile, the co-founder and Executive Director of South Sudan Women United.

On this week’s edition of "Our Voices," we focus on the inclusion of disabled persons in the workplace, especially in Africa where there is a population of over 80 million disabled people, according to the United Nations.

Guests include, Lois Auta, the founder and executive director of the Network of Women with Disabilities and Cedar Seed Foundation. We are also joined by Veronica Lomofa Amartey, the CEO of the Challenged Foundation Ghana.

On this week’s edition of “Our Voices”, hosts Auriane Itangishaka and Ginny Niwa are joined in studio by Rosetta Thurman, a life coach and the founder of Happy Black Woman. They discuss tips on how one can increase their self-awareness and self-esteem.

Plus, Jean Adero, another life coach joins the program to discuss how to help African women in the diaspora cultivate a mindset of success.

On this week’s episode of “Our Voices,” meet fashion expert, Christen Johnson, CEO & Founder of SCB Luxury Styling, and learn about what's trending in fashion, and the best looks for women on a budget, for any occasion.

This week’s Our Voices discusses the persistent problem of domestic violence. Mildred Muhammad, a domestic abuse survivor and ex-wife of the DC Sniper, John Muhammad, shares her story of survival.

Plus, Bilqees Abdurrasheed Shebby, founder of Women Aware of Rights Initiative Nigeria talks about the efforts to tighten laws for convicted abusers in Nigeria.