Special Project with Kotex

HerStory.az partnered with the international brand Kotex to produce a special podcast titled “Qadın. İdman. Mübarizə.” (Woman. Sport. Struggle.) in honor of March 8th, International Women’s Day, spotlighting women who have achieved success in sports while breaking stereotypes along the way. 

The podcast, hosted by HerStory.az founder Arzu Jaeed, featured two remarkable athletes: Tutu Ismayilova, a World Cup champion and member of Azerbaijan’s national savate team, and Adila Gurbanova, a two-time Karate World Cup champion, European and World Champion in powerlifting, and multiple-time Azerbaijani champion in karate. These women shared their personal journeys, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the determination, resilience, and passion it takes to succeed in demanding sports.  

The conversation resonated widely, with clips from the episode posted on social media garnering massive attention. One fragment reached up to a million views, sparking discussions about gender and empowerment in sports. The full episode, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, reaches over 30,000 views on YouTube alone.

Throughout the conversation, the guests delved into themes of perseverance and empowerment. They discussed their experiences with gender stereotypes in sports, the challenges of balancing their careers with societal expectations, and their strategies for overcoming physical and mental hurdles, including injuries and misconceptions about menstruation and athletic performance.  

This collaboration with Kotex emphasized the importance of storytelling as a means to inspire and empower. The athletes’ narratives highlighted how women in sports are not only breaking records but also paving the way for future generations by showing that success knows no gender boundaries.  

HerStory.az extends its gratitude to Kotex for supporting this initiative and championing the voices of strong, fearless women. Together, we continue to inspire positive change by celebrating the achievements of women in sports and beyond.