As we bring in the new year, I know each of you will continue to inspire change and champion girls’ rights fearlessly. Remember: there is power in your collective voice as young women and nothing can take that away from you.
Goodbye from Assembly 👋💛👋
For International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV), three students Chiara, Sara and Saundarya explore the intersectional relationship between global femicide, education, rights, their safety and their calls for government action to ensure all girls and young women can thrive.
Betty Shitahun, 25, reflects on her journey as a deaf rights activist in Ethiopia and how she's carved out space for girls just like her with Roots and Wings ELIXIR, a Malala Fund-supported organisation.
In Assembly’s “Around the world” series, girls sound off on the topics that matter to them.
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.
For International Day of the Girl, Malala talks with two Malala Fund Fellows, Dr. Ayesha Kareem and Tamilore Omojola, about their work in co-leading Girls’ Vision for Education and what keeps them inspired as fellow activists.
Meti writes about how co-designing Girls’ Vision for Education helped her realise the definition of collective power and reaffirmed her belief that girls’ voices must be at the forefront of education policy for girls. Allowing girls to lead on their education demands builds a world where all girls can be leaders.
Meet Hassena, Elizabeth, Antara, Laurine, and Miriam — the five young women who made up the Girls’ Vision for Education steering committee. Read why they joined, how the experience has impacted their advocacy and why girls’ voices must be at the centre of education policy.
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.
Hear what girls are demanding from world leaders at the Summit of the Future.
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.
Two students from Syria and Ukraine explain how their identity as refugees and asylum seekers can influence their daily lives.
From becoming a tailor to teaching other girls in secret, Afghan girls share their lives under Taliban rule.
September 15 marks the three-year ban on girls' education in Afghanistan. We asked Erin Hung, an illustrator and storyteller, to depict the lives and wishes of Afghan girls — and the result is one of a kind.
26-year-old Tamilore, a Malala Fund Girl Fellow, writes about the first time she learned about climate change, how it spurred an interest in climate education and how girls in her community led the charge on climate-friendly waste disposal — changing her hometown for the better.
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.
16-year-old Manal writes about taking matters into her own hands when she opened a library in a small town in Pakistan — with the help of a local bookstore owner: the Faimah Asif Library.
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.