“When My Voice Trembled, But Was Heard”
Reflections on HRC from a She Leads Youth Advocate
25 August 2025Youth advocate Batool recently traveled to the UN in Geneva to demand action. This is her story.
Attending the Human Rights Council in Geneva wasn’t just another experience — it was the moment everything became real.
I still remember the feeling when I stepped into that conference room for the first time — a strange mix of strength and awe. I thought: This is the space we worked for. It wasn’t just a dream anymore. It was concrete. It was happening.
Then came the moment I turned on the mic. My voice echoed in the room. I was the only young person speaking, and I realized that my words had the power to shape something. I was shaking, not out of fear, but because I knew this mattered. It wasn’t just about me, it was about the girls and young women we carry with us, those who are silenced every day.
One moment that will stay with me forever was when I delivered our third recommendation. I was exhausted — we all were — but I chose to speak instead of another member of our Plan International team because I believed it had to be a young voice. That was why we were in Geneva in the first place.
I remember saying:
“Whether in war or peace, women and girls’ safety is non-negotiable. Let’s demand action — because resilience alone is not protection.”
Even now, that line sits in my heart. It’s not just a quote — it’s a truth.
Another moment that deeply shifted something in me was hearing the story of Fatima’s project within our cohort. It reminded me that just because my life is okay doesn’t mean every girl’s life is. If I can do something — anything — to help, why wouldn’t I?
Since Geneva, I feel more responsible — not just as a participant in this work, but as someone who truly believes in it. I’ve grown more curious about climate change and how it connects to girls’ rights and safety. I feel like I’ve reconnected with the reason I joined the She Leads Youth Cohort in the first place: to create change that starts with voices like mine.
So, to any girl who’s stepping into a space like this for the first time:
Even if your hands shake and your voice trembles, speak.
Your message matters more than your delivery.
Your words might be the ones that help someone else feel heard.
We’re not just showing up — we’re shifting the conversation.
Watch the video below to hear more about Batool’s experience and read more about the She Leads delegation experience at the HRC59.
Related pages
