Girls Takeover 2024

Each year, on International Day of the Girl, hundreds of girls across Nepal take on leadership roles, stepping into positions of decision-making and encouraging leaders to listen to their voices and perspectives.

Through the #GirlsTakeover initiative, these girls occupy spaces where they are often underrepresented, making a powerful statement that they have the right to be seen, heard, and respected.

In doing so, we aim to challenge perceptions of what is possible for girls and young women as decision-makers, leaders, and agents of change in their communities.

Sima, a youth activist from Bardiya, explains more about this year’s campaign below.

Hello everyone!

I’m super excited to share that 25 of us, girls from all over Nepal, have been selected for this year’s #GirlsTakeover! We’re from different communities, backgrounds, and we’re all coming together for one reason—to stand up against discrimination and raise our voices for the change we want to see. As part of the #GirlsTakeover, we’re stepping into the shoes of leaders and powerholders—taking over roles in embassies, UN agencies, ministries, local governments, and so many more places of influence. It’s such an empowering moment!

This year, we’re focusing on a crucial issue: girls in crisis. Our campaign, #UniteForProtection, is calling on everyone to ensure girls are put at the centre of any humanitarian response. You see, when disasters strike or emergencies happen, it’s girls like us who are hit hardest. Our education is disrupted, our health and well-being are at risk, and many of us are forced into unsafe situations like early marriage or dropping out of school. Did you know that in times of crisis, girls are 2.5 times more likely to drop out of school than boys? Or that 1 in 5 girls in conflict zones is at risk of being married off early? It’s heartbreaking.

25 girls wearing pink sweatshirt and posing with equal sign with their fingers.
Twenty-five girls are participating in a workshop to prepare girls’ manifesto.

That’s why we’re here—to make sure our voices are heard. We’re not just talking about it; we’re taking action! We’ve been part of an amazing two-day workshop organised by Yuwa, a youth-led organisation that works with Plan International Nepal. Together, we’re developing a Girls’ Manifesto on #UniteForProtection. This manifesto will lay out exactly what needs to happen to protect girls like us during crises—ensuring our safety, health, education, and rights are always prioritised.

We’re calling on governments, organisations, and communities to step up and support us. We believe girls should be empowered, not left behind during emergencies, and we’re demanding change. It’s time to make sure every girl is safe, supported, and has the opportunity to thrive—no matter what challenges come our way.

Join us on this journey to make the world a safer, more equal place for girls everywhere. Let’s raise our voices and create the future we deserve!

Sima

Champion of Change, Bardiya

Read the Girls’ Manifesto

Girls Manifesto

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Sima (on right) presenting a zine she made to H.E. Rob Fenn, ambassador of British Embassy during GirlsTakeover.

Sima as ambassador at the British Embassy

17-year-old Sima from Sindhuli stepped into the shoes of H.E. Rob Fenn, Ambassador at the British Embassy!

Sima, currently pursuing her +2 education, is a passionate social activist. She’s been leading campaigns to end child, early, and forced marriages, and tackle harmful practices like menstrual discrimination through the Champion of Change programme.

Check out our takeovers on social media

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