Anu: A queer voice at the British Embassy
Anu’s #QueerTakeover at the British Embassy gave him a platform to share his journey, advocate for LGBTIQ rights, and inspire inclusive leadership.
In 2025, girls faced numerous threats – from rollbacks on hard-won rights to escalating conflicts and crises – but they didn’t back down. They fought harder than ever to defend their futures and lead change.
These 5 actions show what’s possible when girls refuse to be silenced and why we must stand with them.
1. Young activists #UniteForPeace
For World Refugee Day on 20th June, young activists from across the globe came together to call for solidarity with girls and young people living in conflict.
Their goal was to mobilise public compassion for the needs of young people living in refugee or internal displacement contexts and highlight the urgent need for humanitarian funding.
Supporters joined in with the campaign by sharing the 3 things they would take if they were forced to flee their homes in an emergency:
On International Youth Day, young people also created a powerful open letter for world leaders, calling for the inclusion of young people in humanitarian response and decision-making.
Be sure to look out for further chances to get involved in #UniteForPeace in 2026!
2. Girls demand global support to #EndChildMarriage
On International Day of the Girl in October, young people came together to call for an end to child marriage.
Girls from Egypt to Cambodia, Malawi to Guatemala, raised awareness of the continued need to fight against child marriage – to change outdated laws and address the traditions and attitudes that keep the practice alive.
Our 2025 State of the World’s Girls Report released in October – “Let me be a child, not a wife” – amplifies the voices of 251 girls and young women across 15 countries who were married as children.
Their stories reveal the realities behind the statistics and the urgent need for change.
3. Girls speak out about digital violence
The theme for 16 Days of Activism in 2025 was ‘ending digital violence in all its forms’ and young campaigners used this opportunity to highlight the fact that increasing digital relationships are serving to perpetuate child marriages.
Young activist Natsiraishe from Zimbabwe helps explain that social media can be an excellent tool to help raise awareness of the practice and lead the fight against it:
4. Girls drive climate justice
In their April 2025 spotlight review, the United Nations called out in no uncertain terms that climate change intensifies social and economic stresses and fuel an increase in gender-based violence. They said:
“For decades, feminist and women’s rights organisations and movements have pointed out that climate change exacerbates violence against women and girls, and a range of studies have shown how these impacts slow progress across the Sustainable Development Goals, including on education, health, peace and security, and sustainability.”
We have been working with young campaigners for years to amplify this message. In the words of climate change activist, Sabina, 22, from Nepal:
“Climate issues are closely linked to women’s rights, as climate justice is inherently tied to human justice.”
Unfortunately, finance commitments fell short at COP30 this year, so 2026 will be another important year for young campaigners to demand action and financing for efforts to adapt to and reduce the impacts of climate change.
My fever dream at UN climate conference COP30
“When diplomacy drags its feet, the real momentum comes from the margins”, writes young activist Eezu Tan, after attending COP30 in Belem in November.
5. Girls help shape global policy
Young feminists were instrumental in the creation of the UN Women’s “Beijing+30 Action Agenda” after CSW69 in March, which explicitly includes youth as a critical factor across six areas for action: bridging the digital gap, economic development, ending violence, leadership, accountability, and climate justice.
The Action Agenda aims to turn promises into measurable progress through national commitments, emphasising implementation, accountability, and inclusion of youth, feminists, and allies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Youth advocates who traveled to New York as part of Plan International’s official delegation to CSW69 were invited to reflect on their time spent at the United Nations.
Vithya, a youth advocate from Germany, declared: “Young people are not just the future. We’re here, we’re ready, and we refuse to be silenced.”
“Young people are not just the future. We’re here, we’re ready, and we refuse to be silenced.”
Vithya, Youth advocate, Germany.
The next four years will be critical, and we will continue to support young feminists to get their voices heard and help achieve these vital goals.
The world is failing girls, but they aren’t backing down. When girls lead, communities rise. Together, we can tear down barriers, save lives and build a future where equality for girls means progress for all.
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