These are the words of Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary-General of  Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and a co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, at a Donor Direct Action event in New York earlier this month. The event brought together Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem, Robin Morgan and was moderated by ABC’s Amy Robach. Saudatu talked about the need for us to stay hopeful for the release of not only the Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram – 197 of whom still remain in captivity – but for an end to violence against all women and girls in Nigeria.

Each year, WRAPA helps thousands of Nigerian women and girls across the country stand up for their rights.  I hope you will make a year-end donation to support their work at this critical time and help give hope to Nigerian girls and women for a safer 2017 with greater freedom.

Very best wishes for the New Year.