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It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the world’s challenges. However, in many areas we are making progress in improving lives. These stories remind us that through dedication and cooperation, people from across all sectors and all nations can create lasting change.

Here are four good news stories you may have missed this month.

1. The World Food Programme’s Share the Meal App Reaches 5 Million Meals Shared

This month, the World Food Programme’s Share the Meal app reached over 5 million meals shared. This innovative new mobile phone app allows users to donate 50 cents or more during their mealtime, or anytime, to a help fight hunger. Currently, funds help provide meals to pregnant and nursing mothers and their children in Homs, Syria. Find out more about the WFP’s Share the Meal app here.

2. Momentum Continues in the Movement to Empower Girls

Throughout March, United Nations officials and world leaders spoke out about the urgent need to empower girls around the world.

On March 8, First Lady Michelle Obama announced new commitments to her successful #LetGirlsLearn Initiative, which works to help adolescent girls around the world get an education. On International Women’s Day, the UN Foundation’s Girl Up campaign joined the First Lady to celebrate #LetGirlsLearn. 

On March 15, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry launched first-ever U.S. strategy to empower girls globally.

On March 16, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, spoke at the UN Commission on the Status of Women about his decision to appoint a 50-50 gender-representative cabinet and his commitment to the UN’s HeForShe movement.    

And on March 23, Britain’s Prince Harry spoke at the Nepal Girl Summit about providing accessible education as a means of ending child marriage practices in Nepal.

3. Somalia’s Prime Minister Backs the Effort to Ban FGM

Prime Minister of Somalia Omar Sharmarke added his name to a petition urging the central government to adopt legislation that bans female genital mutilation. The petition has nearly 1.3 million signatures. According to UNICEF, about 95% of girls in Somalia undergo FGM.

Photo credit: Neel Dhanesha/Girl Up