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Meet five inspirational women who have overcome adversity to break down barriers and forge their own paths forward.

Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. ̽����ѡ grants intern Jane Yang writes about how the ̽����ѡ protects and empowers women who have made the dangerous trip from Somalia to a refugee camp in northeastern Kenya.

Meet Lilian Dawa, a South Sudanese social worker in a refugee settlement in Uganda who works tirelessly to protect women and girls from violence.

Go with us inside three countries where courageous families and dedicated ̽����ѡ health workers work together every day to combat acute malnutrition.

It’s rainy and cold along the waterfront of Tripoli, the largest city in northern Lebanon. Despite being a school day, there are dozens of children walking up and down the ‘corniche’ with piles of CDs in their hands. Every minute or so they approach a passerby, sometimes a local, sometimes a tourist, to see if they are interested in buying a CD. Almost everyone says no.    Thirteen-year-old Bilal* has been working on the streets of Tripoli for the past two years. Originally from Aleppo, he would work 12 hours a day to bring in cash to support his family.

After losing her family to insurgency, Hafsat now lives in Bakassi, the largest displacement camp in northeast Nigeria.

Ask Esther and Simon their favourite time of day and they share the same answer: it's when they see each other.

Rawan*,19, lost her first love to war. Shortly after that tragedy, and following years of danger and persecution, she and her family finally left their home in Dara’a, Syria, for Ramtha, Jordan, hoping to start anew. The ̽����ѡ has helped them find the strength to do that, and supported Rawan as she heals and recovers from her loss.

Today is World Humanitarian Day, a chance to recognise phenomenal women around the world who dedicate their lives to protecting people caught in conflict.