Why the World Social Summit is a turning point for girls’ futures
3 November 2025We need bold commitments that put girls and young women at the centre of decisions and laws that affect their lives.
“Inequality is the defining challenge of our time. The wealth gap and exclusion of women, youth, and marginalised groups block true development.”
Ruth, 21, Liberia
Thirty years ago, in 1995, world leaders gathered in Copenhagen for the first World Summit for Social Development. That landmark meeting placed people and social development at the heart of global progress, and laid the groundwork for decades of change, from the Millennium Development Goals to the 2030 Agenda that guides us today.
In November 2025, leaders will meet again for the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in Doha, Qatar. The focus will be on assessing progress, identifying gaps remaining, and how the world can advance development, in a way that is inclusive and fair for all.
Plan International sees the Summit as a critical platform to put girls’ rights and voices at the centre of the global development agenda. The challenges are immense, but so are the opportunities.
Addressing inequality
The world today could not be more different than 30 years ago. We face a perfect storm of interconnected crises. Governments are limiting freedoms that allow people to speak out and organise, and there is growing pushback against gender equality and human rights. Unsustainable debt is forcing governments to cut essential public services like schools and clinics, with women and girls bearing the main impact of austerity.
At the same time, conflicts and the climate crisis are displacing millions, with girls and women making up an estimated 80% of those forced to move. And while the digital revolution offers incredible opportunities, it has also become a new frontline for exclusion and harm; Technology-facilitated gender-based violence, online sexual exploitation and abuse, disinformation, and a widening gender digital divide threaten to silence girls and lock them out of the future.
However, poverty, inequality, and exclusion are not inevitable. They are the result of policy choices. That is why this Summit is our chance to make different, better choices. It is a rare opportunity to reset global priorities and renew the promise of social justice for a new generation.
Our vision: A just, digital, and resilient future for every girl
The decisions made in Doha will influence global and national policies for years ahead, establishing a shared vision for international cooperation, development priorities, and financing. The summit will help determine what governments commit to achieve, how they allocate resources, and whose voices are represented in shaping that future.
The timing of this summit could not be more important. As the 2030 Agenda nears its end, we must confront the structural gaps that have held back progress, from unfair financing and weak social protection systems to the lack of safe, inclusive digital spaces.
Above all, this summit can serve as a bridge to the next phase of global development, one built on justice, solidarity, and equality, and determined to finally deliver on the promise of leaving no one behind. It is a chance for young people to not only share their vision for the future they want but also be a key part of crafting that future.
To achieve that, we are calling for bold action in three key areas:
1. Just and sustainable financing
Governments must reform the global financial system to reduce debt burdens and free up resources for what matters most, such as preventing and responding to gender-based violence, providing quality education and healthcare (including sexual and reproductive health and rights), and building universal social protection systems. These systems protect families from shocks and prevent girls from being forced out of school or into early marriage.
“To eradicate poverty, we must move beyond charity and build systems of equality. This means investing in quality education, healthcare, and technology that reach rural and marginalised communities. Creating opportunities for youth and women to lead sustainable businesses can break generational poverty.” – Damaris, 22, El Salvador.
2. A safe and inclusive digital future
Technology must be a force for equality, not exclusion. This means closing the gender digital divide so that girls have equal access to digital skills and opportunities. It also means holding governments and companies accountable for making online spaces safe, free from violence, harassment, and abuse, while protecting freedom of expression and privacy. Girls must have the digital literacy to navigate the online world safely and the power to shape the technologies that they use every day and impact their lives.
“In order to cope with digital abuse, many girls and women withdraw from online spaces, not by choice, but by necessity. This adversely impacts their ability to engage socially, economically, and politically in online spaces, which can prove to be detrimental in an increasingly digital society.” – Letitia, 20, Ireland.
3. Girls at the centre of crisis response
Whether it is a flood, a drought, or a conflict, crises hit girls the hardest. They face heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and disrupted education. Responses must be designed with their specific needs and rights in mind, from providing safe spaces to ensuring they can continue learning. We must also scale up climate finance that directly supports girls and their communities to adapt and build resilience.
“Education gives people the tools to build better futures and can inspire action on global challenges like climate change. By prioritising universal access to quality education, we can break cycles of poverty and create more just, resilient, and sustainable societies.” – Marwa, 21, Ireland.
Building the future girls want
The Doha summit can send a clear message that global cooperation still matters and that gender equality is central to social progress. We need bold commitments that put girls and young women at the centre of decisions and laws that affect their lives.
At Plan International, we will be in Doha together with young people to help ensure this happens. We will work with governments, youth advocates, and partners to make sure the summit delivers on its promise: a fairer world where every girl has the power, safety, and opportunity to shape her own future.
The path we are on is not sustainable or just. The summit is a turning point. By putting justice, equality, and girls’ rights at the heart of our decisions, we can build a future where no one is left behind.
Find out more about Plan International’s policy and advocacy work and our fight for the #FutureGirlsWant.
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