No matching posts found.

24-year-old Malala Fund Fellow, Jane, reflects on the day girls voiced their needs to policymakers at a Malala Fund Nigeria organized Day of the Girl event in Abuja. From policy demands and panel discussions to a painting session, young women came together to commemorate International Day of the Girl Child — as a celebration of their strength and creativity and give space for their education demands.

24-year-old Halima Yusuf reflects on how her mother’s story of being taken out of school inspired her to pursue her education and is the reflection of the realities of many girls in Nigeria today. When girls are excluded from decision-making tables where their lives are shaped, they suffer. This piece is expanded from Halima’s address to Nigerian policymakers at a Malala Fund Nigeria organised an International Day of the Girl event in Abuja last week.

On International Day of the Girl, girls and young women gathered in Nigeria to tell policymakers exactly what they need to accomplish their vision for the future. Led by girls, for girls this was an opportunity for them to share their ideas and drive policy change.

Can you point to the moment you knew you were an activist? 25-year-old Laurine can. Advocating for students' needs in university sparked her commitment to creating inclusive spaces that reflect student needs and inspired her to join the Girls ‘ Vision steering committee, helping girls around the world map out their dreams for their education. Laurine shares why she joined Girls’ Vision for Education, her takeaways, and why the voices of young women should be the driving force behind education policy. 

18-year-old photographer Firuze Sadik shares a series of photos she took of her home in rural Afghanistan. Documenting everything about life in Afghanistan — from photos of fruit sellers and spending time with her family to photos depicting how people — especially girls and women — continue to find joy despite Taliban rule. Firuze highlights the importance of amplifying nuanced Afghan stories.

When the Taliban took over in August 2021, Marina witnessed the targeted destruction of Afghan girls' and women's rights, especially in education. She found her passion in teaching other girls. First, by creating educational videos through her YouTube channel, then through Begum Organisation for Women. By producing videos for Begum TV,  she helps girls continue their secondary education

17-year-old Zaibi Khan recounts a personal story that changed her life and relationships to herself, her family, and her education. Through storytelling workshop with Storykit —an organisation supported by Malala Fund — Zaibi shares her story of growth, leadership, and breaking free of gendered stereotypes that disrupt and keep girls out of school.

13-year-old Nayab reflects on how being a mentor for younger children in the Seekho Sikhao Saathi programme from Cities for Children — an organisation supported by Malala Fund — helped her realise she wanted to be a child welfare lawyer.

27-year-old Tamana recounts her harrowing experience imprisoned by the Taliban, her life as a student and lawyer in Afghanistan, protesting in the streets of Kabul and trying to rebuild a life after leaving Afghanistan.