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  • Equal Power Now: Girls, Young Women and Political Participation

Equal Power Now: Girls, Young Women and Political Participation

The State of the World’s Girls 2022

Hear from 29,000 girls and young women aged 15 – 24 from 29 countries as they navigate the political landscape.

Download the report

This year’s State of the World’s Girls report is focused on girls’ and young women’s political participation.

It explores their attitudes towards, and experiences of, political and civic participation and institutions, across many different backgrounds.

The report is based on a large-scale survey of almost 29,000 girls and young women aged 15-24 from 29 countries spanning all regions, income levels and civic contexts. Additionally, researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 94 girls and young women across 18 countries.

Download full report
Download executive summary
Girls from Nepal taking part in a Plan International's Girls Out Loud programme

What we wanted to know

  • How do girls and young women conceptualise politics, and which political issues do they prioritise?
  • How do they view their political leaders, and do they feel properly represented?
  • What influences their decision to participate in politics? What puts them off and what inspires them?
  • What strategies and support need to be in place to enable them to become more actively engaged in the issues and campaigns they feel are important?

Barriers to equal power

Click to expand the graphics and learn more about the barriers preventing equal power for girls.

Graphic saying 94% of girls we spoke to felt they face challenges when trying to participate in politics. Girls and young women do not feel represented by the politicians elected to serve them
Graphic showing Amanda, 15, from Brazil and her quote: "They think we're too young to talk about it, that we don't know anything...because it's a girl talking, and they'll think it's not a priority." Gender discrimination, stereotyping and blatant sexism.
Graphic showing a girl speaking with a microphone and a quote from Darna, 16, from the Philippines: "Women leaders are underestimated. Many think they won't be able to make it. That's the challenge I see." Women politicians are abused. Women politicians are targeted with abuse, intimidation and judgement for how they look or dress.
Graphic showing a girl being interviewed with the text: nearly half of the girls we spoke to are not confident participating in politics. Lack of confidence. Lack of knowledge and political skills contribute to girls' lack of confidence in their political participation

What girls are saying

Girls and young women defined politics as the more formal affairs of state but their own political involvement was wide-ranging, mostly at the local level.

They were concerned about the environment, poverty, hunger, conflict and education and political decisions which affected their communities and everyday lives.

As they get older, adolescent girls and young women are starting to become more politically conscious, interested in social issues, aware of how decisions are made and how they influence their lives.

A graphic with a girl holding a megaphone to promote the Equal Power Now youth manifesto

Equal power now youth manifesto

What will you do to ensure that Girls Get Equal Power Now?

Stand with girls changing the face of politics. Watch and share their youth manifesto.

View the youth manifesto

Key findings

97% of survey respondents thought participating in politics was important.

83% had some experience of participating in or engaging with politics.

Fewer than 1 in 3 agreed that politicians and political leaders understand the views of girls and young women.

1 in 5 have personally been discouraged from engaging with or participating in politics.

About 50% believed that, in their communities’ view, it was acceptable for girls and young women to engage in political activities.

How to achieve equal power

Girls and young women, in all their diversity, have the right, at local, national, and international levels, to take part in the decisions that affect their lives.

In our campaign Equal Power Now, we’re standing with girls calling on leaders and powerholders to uphold their fundamental rights to participate:

  1. Decision makers at all levels must institutionalise the meaningful and safe participation of girls and their groups.
  2. National and local governments must ensure access to diverse and inclusive pathways toward political participation.
  3. Governments and social media companies must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to violence towards the political participation of girl activists.
  4. UN, governments and civil society should recognise and support girls’ vital and distinct role in civil society.

Download the report

Full report

English

pdf

3.82 mb

Download

French

pdf

3.79 mb

Download

Spanish

pdf

5.63 mb

Download
Executive summary

English

pdf

1 mb

Download

French

pdf

568 kb

Download

Spanish

pdf

584 kb

Download
Technical report

English

pdf

2 mb

Download

Related pages

Equal Power Now Map

Equal Power Now Map

How girls and their allies have been demanding Equal Power Now across the globe.
Read more
Dear Leaders

Dear Leaders

Reach out to decision-makers and ask them to uphold girls’ fundamental right to participate in politics!
Read more
The story of 2022 and girls' rights

The story of 2022 and girls' rights

As we look to the future, fuelled by our new global strategy, we aim to improve the lives of 200 million girls in the next 5 years.
Read more
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