Darleyn: The Aymara Strength Weaving Equality from the Heart of the Mountains

“I have always been inspired by my peers, my friends, and even younger girls. In them, I see what I once saw in myself: doubts, insecurities, but also immense potential,” says 17-year-old Darleyn, her voice that echoes loudly like the mountains that surround her municipality in the Altiplano, located 120 kilometers from the city of La Paz, Bolivia.

Growing up, Darleyn faced many challenges. A deeply ingrained patriarchal culture shaped every aspect of life.

“Unfortunately, this inequality between men and women will continue to haunt us unless we stop it. The women in my community and my own family are fighting to put an end to this injustice. We, as women, all strive for a common good”
she says with determination.

In Bolivia, 83.9% of women in La Paz suffered humiliation or verbal abuse during childhood, according to the National Survey on the Prevalence and Characteristics of Violence Against Women (2016).

The statistics paint a grim reality: every day, more than 90 cases of teenage pregnancy are reported, many resulting from sexual violence. “We cannot keep accepting a world where girls and young women have their futures stolen from them so early,” Darleyn states firmly, her gaze unwavering.

Challenging the Patriarchy

From a young age, Darleyn decided she would not become just another statistic. Through workshops, meetings, and training sessions facilitated by Plan International’s projects, she discovered tools that helped her raise her voice. One of those tools was the radio. “In Jesús de Machaca, very few people watch television, but everyone listens to the radio. So, we decided to use it to talk about what no one wanted to discuss—violence, sexual and reproductive rights, and gender inequality,” she explains.

The youth-led community radio project became more than just an information platform; it became a space for transformation. “We wanted our message to reach everywhere. I remember the first program we recorded. I was nervous, but I thought, ‘If I don’t speak up, who will?’ And that’s how we started reaching every corner of our community,” she recalls with pride.

On the Path to Power

Darleyn’s leadership led her to join Plan International’s GirlsTakeover, where young women take on decision-making roles to influence public policies. She was selected to represent her community in the Chamber of Deputies.

“I was terrified but also excited. That day, I wasn’t just speaking for myself—I was speaking for all the girls and young women who had never had the chance to be heard”
she says with emotion.

From the podium, Darleyn and other young women presented proposals to combat violence and promote gender equality. Her speech was a powerful call to action.

“What we did was advocacy. These proposals didn’t come just from us but from our communities as well. If we continue ignoring the suffering of girls, we are failing as a society,”
she declared with conviction.

A Collective Dream

Despite her achievements, Darleyn knows the road to equality is long. But she is not alone—she has her mother’s support. “I dream of a future where my daughter can become President of Bolivia. But first, we must ensure that in every community, girls are free, independent, and able to make decisions about their own lives,” says Carmen, her mother, with pride in her voice. Plan International empowers young leaders like Darleyn to demand their rights.

“This fight is not just mine. There are so many brave girls and young women who need support to keep going,”
she affirms.

Today, Darleyn is focused on inspiring more women in her community to join the movement. “We can change our reality if we work together. Authorities, families, and the entire community must commit to this cause. From here, from Jesús de Machaca, we can start building a better world,” she concludes with unwavering determination.

Darleyn is a symbol of hope and resilience—a living testament that even in the most challenging environments, change is possible when girls and young women have the tools and support, they need to fight for their rights.