Last week during the European Week of Action for Girls 2016, girls showed EU leaders that they have what it takes to take over. During several digital and physical takeovers of EU leaders' positions, girls called on the EU to pay more attention to their situation and secure more invetmsents in ensuring their rights and empowerment. 

#GirlsVoices: A social Media takeover

On Thursday 13 October, Radha, Petrider, Flavia and Rixt took over the social media channels of the European Commission's Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development (@Europeaid). They talked about gender-based violence, child marriage, the need to educate and empower girls and called on the EU to secure more and better investments in girls' rights and empowerment. 

Radha, Petrider, Flavia and Rixt took over @Europeaid's social media accounts on 13 October 2016.

See a selection of social media posts from the Takeover. 

Radha and Rixt met with Commissioner Neven Mimica and explained why they think the EU must secure more investments in girls.

On this occasion, two of the girls (Radha and Rixt) had the opportunity to meet with European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica. During a fruitful exchange, the girls told the Commissioner why they think that girls all over the world deserve more attention and explained how THEY are fighting for gender equality in their own countries. "I salute the courage of all girls in their fight for gender equality around the globe," the Commissioner stated. 

#GirlsTakeover: When Radha took over the EU

On Friday 14 October, Radha, 21, from Bangladesh took over the positions of two EU leaders: Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Budgets and Human Resources; and Amb. Mara Marinaki, Principal Adviser on Gender for the European External Action Service (EEAS).  

Radha, 21, from Bangladesh took over the positions of EU leaders on Friday 14 October. #GirlsTakeover

The photos and videos below show how Radha took over the EU for a day:

A message from Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva, on why she decided to take part in the #GirlsTakeover. 

Read her blog, and watch the video: 

Radha is sitting in the chair of Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva in the College of Commissioner room, where all the decisions are made. #GirlsTakeover

After trying out the Vice-President's chair, why not the President's as well? #GirlsTakeover

As the Vice-President of the European Commission, Radha then welcomed and addressed a group of Young European Leaders. She told them what it means for her to be a young leader and encouraged them to pursue their ambitions. #GirlsTakeover

Radha even took over the Vice-President's Twitter account, spreading her views about child marriage and girls' rights in Bangladesh.

She called on her followers to never let girls become invisible, and to enable them to raise their voice. 

See what she posted on Twitter.

What a wonderful experience for Radha, and a valuable lesson for all world leaders: We need to see #GirlsTakeover, not only for one day.

Later that day, Radha took over the position of Amb. Mara Marinaki, Principal Adviser on Gender to the European External Action Service. 

Radha took over the role of Principal Adviser on Gender to the EEAS Mara Marinaki, advising her team on various issues, including how best to reach marginalised girls in Bangladesh.

Thanks to Plan International, girls stepped into the shoes of leaders in over 50 countries for the International Day of the Girl. Explore and support the #GirlsTakeover action worldwide.