Girls' Voices | Plan International

Girls' Voices

Find out what girls have to say about issues affecting them.

About Girls' Voices

Girls face multiple exclusions which act as barriers to their effective participation, yet it is crucial their views are both sought and listened to. Find out how Girls' Voices aims to achieve that!

Young people and the EU: how to make it a relationship between equals

The current relationship between the EU and the youth is not a relationship between equals. How to make it one? Plan International’s experience working with young people and youth-led organisations could be helpful to draw some lessons and define the way forward.

How about an EU Youth Envoy?

In 2020, 24% of the world population is between 10 and 24 years old. In Africa, young people represent more than 30% of the population. As the world’s largest donor, the European Union (EU) has the potential to impact on the lives of millions of young people not only inside the EU but also outside, on all continents. The EU’s work could have a positive impact in different areas of their lives, such as education, health, economic empowerment, peace and gender equality, from their childhood until they reach adulthood. Plan International believes in young people’s potential as agents of change and in the necessity to involve them in policy and decision making that impacts their lives. By developing mechanisms for youth participation and engagement in EU external action, the EU can ensure youth-led, innovative solutions that contribute positively towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

Meet our youth activists - Marie Augustine (21) from Senegal

Marie Augustine’s advocacy ambition is ensure that girls and women are at the centre of all initiatives to end gender inequality and achieve social justice. Through her work with CONAFE, Marie Augustine has become a key influencer in her community and country by co-leading radio programmes to raise awareness on teenage pregnancy, early/forced child marriage, harmful cultural practices such as FGM, girls education and youth-sensitive budgeting for children and young people.
15-year-old Yuma from Nicaragua

#GirlsVoices: All we need is opportunity

In a guest blog for #GirlsVoices, 15-year-old Yuma, from Nicaragua, says that women can be just as strong as men – if given the opportunity, in a world where they can feel safe.
Radha raising awareness in her community about the negative impact of child marriages. © Bas Bogaerts/Plan International

#GirlsVoices: We can decide

Radha, 21, from Bangladesh works to ensure that girls know their rights and raise their voices.
Radha and Rixt

#GirlsVoices: Who runs the world? Girls!

Rixt, 20, from The Netherlands wants to see more women in power in her country.

#GirlsVoices: We are the now generation

Petrider, 22, from Tanzania is on a mission to achieve gender equality

#GirlsVoices: Dreaming of equal opportunities

Flavia, 15, from Brazil, shares her views and ideas on girls' economic empowerment in a guest blog for Girls' Voices.
Roma is a keen advocate for girls' rights

#GirlsVoices: Challenging gender stereotypes in Delhi

21-year-old Roma is a graduate of Plan International’s Saksham project, which provides job orientated vocational training for young people aged 18 to 29 from poor and disadvantaged communities in Delhi. We spoke to her about what life’s like for girls in her community, and how her life has changed since she found a job.

#GirlsVoices: Climate change stills children's future

Marinel, 18, Plan International Philippines Youth Advocate, speaks out on the impact changing climate has on children and young people.
Aida, 23, Senegal

#GirlsVoices: Education is a right, and an opportunity

Education isn' t just a right, it's a vehicle to greater opportunity, argues 23 year old Aida, from Senegal, in a guest blog for #GirlsVoices.
Amrita advocates against child marriage in Nepal

#GirlsVoices: Stopping child marriage in Nepal

Amrita was just 16 when she intervened to stop her own marriage. Today she advocates for girls to get an education and being able to marry out of choice, not force.
Three girls in El Salvador

#GIRLSVOICES: HOPING FOR A SAFER FUTURE IN EL SALVADOR

Vicky, 19, is one of the youth delegates attending the World Humanitarian Summit on 23-24 May. She lives in El Salvador with her mother and shares her experience of violence as a young girl in her community.

#GirlsVoices: We want to be part of the solution

Laal bibi, 16, from Pakistan knows firsthand what it is like for girls her age to face a disaster like floods. She shares her experience, hopes and ideas in a blog written for #GirlsVoices. "I want to learn how to help my community when the next floods hit our village," she says.

#GirlsVoices: Let girls have a say in decisions affecting them

19 year-old Berryl from Kenya blogs about good governance at county level, particularly regarding minority groups in the community, and supports the reporting and prosecution of cases of child sexual exploitation.