Great things are only accomplished as a team, and in a world where women face numerous challenges and obstacles, the importance of women supporting women cannot be overstated. We can create an equitable and inclusive society for all by persevering and uplifting each other.

Aytakin (Ika) Aliyeva’s journey from Azerbaijan to building a professional network community called Femigrants is a perfect example of how perseverance and a women-support-women relationship lead to empowerment. Her story has inspired many, including Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, who hugged her at a Women Changing The World Awards conference. This hug proved to be a deeply significant moment for Aytakin.

Aytakin was not only a finalist in three different categories at the Women Changing The World Awards – Company of the Year, Cultural Diversity &Inclusion, and Migrant Leadership of the Year- but she also emerged as the winner of the first place (double gold awards) in two of them: the Migrant Leadership Award and the Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Award. She was overwhelmed by the support she received from the Duchess of York.