Plan International USA Youth Advisory Board member Alisha took over at Google in New York City, gaining an invaluable mentoring opportunity.

To honour International Day of the Girl 2018, more than 1000 girls across the globe took over leadership positions.

Girls assumed the roles of Prime Ministers, Google executives, village chiefs and even took over BBC Africa in a display of diverse and varied ambition, power and potential. 

This year, girls also achieved big things. 

They claimed high-level mentorships at multi-national companies to help them further their career aspirations.  They contributed to formal legal documents which will help shape national law.

This year's takeovers demonstrated that girls’ input is valuable, and their ambitions are high. 

Check out how these global girls are getting equal, starting with their #GirlsTakeover action:

PARAGUAY – Nara the President

Nara, 11, steps into the shoes of the president of Paraguay.

Nara not only filled the shoes of the President of her country, she also used the day to effect change for her fellow girls.

She spent the day carrying out President Benitez's duties and used every opportunity possible to discuss the reality of Paraguayan girls:

“Girls feel trapped inside themselves because of the violence they have experienced. Never give up and be confident in yourself. It’s not just boys who can achieve things.”

She also highlighted that sexual violence is one of the biggest problems holding girls back in Paraguay. An issue, now they've heard it from girls themselves, the government will surely not be able to ignore.

INDONESIA – Shania the Deputy Chief of Police

Shania led a morning rally with the city’s police force, where she commanded the moment to speak about the importance of protecting girls from ALL forms of violence. 

And it didn’t stop there! After checking reports of incoming staff and inspecting units, she asked leadership if there had been any complaints about child abuse in the community. She was confirmed of a report that had been dealt with swiftly.

Shania's focus proves that having a girl's perspective is invaluable to getting girl's issues prioritised.

KENYA – Mary the National Assembly speaker

Mary Georgia, 17, takes over as the Kenyan National Assembly speaker

Mary – rocking an awesome white wig - assumed one of the most powerful jobs in Kenya to learn about its function, develop skills for the future and exercise her power! 

She addressed Parliament to share the shocking statistics about girls’ harassment on the streets of Nairobi. Later, she presented the entire body with a petition asking all government officials to commit to making all of Kenya’s cities safer for girls. 

What a fantastic way to use such a high-profile platform and help girls, one day, get equal freedom.

ZAMBIA – Mwape the Mayor

Mwape, 18, takes over as Mayor of Lusaka City.

Mwape became Mayor of Lusaka, where she led meetings with the entire governing body. She was incredibly successful at highlighting the need for toilets that cater to the menstrual hygiene needs of girls and women, and by the end of her tenure secured a commitment from the entire Council to provide wash rooms for all schools in Lusaka!

This is how Girls Get Equal

Young people and Plan International are calling for a new world with new rules where girls are seen, heard and valued as equals. The #GirlsTakeover is just one day of action where girls are allowed to exercise their power and potential on a global and high profile level. 

But we believe it can be Day of the Girl every day. That's why we're support girls in their ambition to take the lead, through the brand new, girl-led campaign for gender equality: Girls Get Equal. 

But girls can't do it alone. They need allies. They need YOU. 

You can support girls’ and young women’s access to positions of power and leadership everywhere, so they can make the decisions that will affect their lives and futures.

Take action. It’s time for a new world, with new rules. 

Take the Girls Get Equal Pledge