She Leads advocates at the Human Rights Council: “There is a space for us.”
Felicity, Korotoumou, and Bernice share their favourite moments and what they learned during their week at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Brilliant young advocates at the UN
Between June 27th and July 4th, 3 members of the She Leads program were in Geneva to advocate for their priorities at the 56th session of the Human Rights Council. Felicity from Ethiopia is a law student interested in girls’ and young women’s ability to participate in making decisions that impact them. Korotoumou from Mali also studies law and her advocacy focuses on issues relating to gender-based violence, including community engagement projects aimed at reducing this pervasive form of violence. Bernice from Ghana is interested in gender advocacy, especially relating to girls’ and young women’s participation in decision-making processes.
The 3 advocates had a very busy week in Geneva and accomplished a lot during their time here. Felicity moderated and Korotoumou spoke at a panel discussing the state of girls’ rights at the UN since 2017, and Bernice spoke at a panel focused on research surrounding girls’ rights conducted by Equal Measures 2030. Additionally, they met with the Special Rapporteur on Climate Change. Felicity made powerful statements at the Annual Discussion on Women’s Rights and the Internal Discussion on the OHCHR Report on New and Emerging Technology, and Korotoumou spoke at the Panel on Promoting Human Rights through Sport.
During this busy week, they also had time to discuss their advocacy work and time in Geneva with the Plan International Geneva office. You can watch the She Leads advocates introduce themselves and discuss their experiences at the Human Rights Council in the video below.
Participation not without challenges
Despite all that they accomplished during their week in Geneva, Felicity, Korotoumou, and Bernice acknowledge that young women face unique challenges in UN spaces, as well as in advocacy work more generally. However, they remain optimistic about their role in UN spaces.
While discussing her time at the HRC, Felicity notes that the experience has been “life-changing” in giving her the opportunity to represent girls and young women at the UN, also noting that “there is space for girls and young women if you’re ready to claim it.” She notes the rigidity of the UN space and the sidelining of civil society organizations, but also points out how advocates can take advantage of the space that they are given to make changes. Korotoumou agrees, stating that she can tell that “we (young women) make an impact” in UN spaces.
Watch the video below to see the She Leads advocates discuss what advice they would give to other girls and young women attending the Human Rights Council.
What comes next?
After their time at the Human Rights Council, Felicity, Korotoumou, and Bernice are committed to continuing their advocacy work. Their new understanding of UN human rights mechanisms will provide them with the skills that they need to continue their important and powerful advocacy work both back home and when they return to the UN and other international spaces. Their time at the Human Rights Council has only strengthened their resolve to continue advocating for the issues they believe in.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Terre des Hommes, Plan International Netherlands, Defense for Children International, FEMNET, and Equal Measures 2030 for their partnership in implementing the She Leads programme, and Blaine Marcano for filming the above videos.
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