International Women’s Day 2025

Celebrating women across the globe helping to prevent deaths from pesticide self-poisoning.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate some of the incredible women worldwide who are helping to prevent deaths from pesticide self-poisoning. From health and agriculture to environmental protection and academia, these women play diverse yet essential roles in addressing this important issue.

Dr Piumee Bandara

Consultant in Suicide Prevention, World Health Organization (WHO)

Supporting governments to develop national suicide prevention strategies.

Professor Dr Chan Lai Fong

Professor & Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, National University of Malaysia (UKM)

Academic, clinician, and educator conducting research on preventing pesticide-related suicides.

Dr Claudina Elington Cayetano

Mental Health Advisor, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Supporting countries in the Americas to develop and implement suicide prevention plans.

Pramila Hashini

Public Health Research Assistant, South Asian Clinical Toxicology Research Collaboration

Conducting community-based research to develop suicide prevention strategies.

Patricia Kombo

Communications Officer, CEJAD Kenya

Using strategic communication to inform, educate, and advocate for the elimination of hazardous pesticides.

Shemiem Modiwirijo

Head of the Pesticide Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries of Suriname

Promoting responsible pesticide management through restrictions, training, and policy development.

Dra Paula Cachacha F. Neto

Pesticide Registrar, Ministéro da Agricultura, Angola

Pesticide registrar collaborating with Southern African countries to reduce pesticide risks.

Professor (Hanna-) Andrea Rother

Head, Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town

Addressing the health impacts from chemicals through research, education, and policy engagement.

Ivy Saunyama

Agricultural Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)

Promoting the phase-out of highly hazardous pesticides to protect health and the environment.

Aastha Sethi

Senior Officer, Policy and Advocacy (Rights), United for Global Mental Health

Using strategic advocacy to ensure that suicide prevention is recognised as a public health priority.

Divya Veluguri

Executive Director, Deccan Development Society

Supporting and promoting pesticide-free food production, working with women farmers in India.

Dr Janny Vos

Partnerships Development Director, CABI

Promoting safer, more sustainable alternatives to highly hazardous pesticides.

Dr Sheila Willis

Head of International Programmes, Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK)

Working internationally to understand the impacts of hazardous pesticides and develop solutions.