The only people who know what girls want are girls: a conversation between Malala and Malala Fund Fellows

For International Day of the Girl, Malala chats 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.

Whenever I meet with girl activists fighting for education rights, I am inspired by their relentless determination. They always do their homework and research. They always bring practical, smart ideas to the table. And they always know best what kind of policies need to be implemented to make a difference.

That energy was on full display when I joined dozens of girls from around the world at a demonstration in New York right before the UN General Assembly kicked off, where we launched a new campaign called What Girls Want – which you can learn more about at whatgirlswant.com.

While I was in New York, I sat down with Malala Fund Fellows Dr. Ayesha Kareem and Tamilore Omojola to talk about how girls can lead the conversation on education, and drive results that will make a concrete difference.

What you need to know:

Along with Meti, a fellow alumni from Ethiopia, Ayesha and Tamilore are leading Malala Fund’s work on Girls’ Vision for Education, a project that reimagines education by centring the voices of girls from around the world, placing them at the heart of the discussion on policy and solutions. Working with the steering committee, they designed and implemented workshops to reach the most vulnerable girls: from girls out of school, to those living in conflict areas, to girls living with disabilities, among others. Led by the Girls’ Vision leads and working alongside partners, the team co-created a consultation reaching nearly 800 girls from 30 countries, who each shared their unique vision for advancing and improving education.

I had a fantastic conversation with Ayesha and Tamilore about what kept them inspired throughout the process and why girls — from all backgrounds — are the real experts on what they want, and how their needs must be prioritised. And I wanted to share highlights of that conversation with all of you.

Malala Yousafzai: Can you tell us more about Girls’ Vision for Education? 

Ayesha Kareem: Girls’ Vision has been a re-imagination exercise where we have consulted girls and young women from across 30 countries and asked them to design a vision for education that helps them complete 12 years of education and access schools. 

One thing we saw consistently across the consultation is how [when] girls were given the chance to share their opinions and views and be a part of something that gives them the power to create a vision for [their] education and that means the world to them.

"When you find space at decision-making tables, make sure you create avenues, resources, and space for other young women. Bring them together to be a part of these decision-making processes.”

MY: What does it mean, at a practical level, to have young women in decision-making positions? 

Tamilore Omojola: It’s as literal as it sounds. Putting [young] women in decision-making positions gives them the power to be able to make decisions. It also means listening to women and taking action on the solutions they have provided. This is important because women are not usually priorities, so we need girls and young women in decision-making positions so the solutions provided are not [only] suited to men. Lastly, we need more women in these positions, so they act as role models for other girls growing up.

“Because Girls’ Vision [for Education] was led by young women, I want it to serve as a guide for other organisations to engage with us [young women] in leadership positions.”

— Tamilore Omojola

MY: We see that leaders often are happy to cheer girls on and applaud them, but girls are rarely included in the decision-making process. What do you hope Girls’ Vision will change? 

Tamilore Omojola: Girls’ demands — which we have seen come out of Girls’ Vision —should be met by our leaders. This does not just have to mean at the global level but at the national and local levels too. Because Girls’ Vision was led by young women, I want it to serve as a guide for other organisations to engage with us [young women] in leadership positions. I hope this vision morphs into a movement for girls on their education and rights.

"Whenever I meet with girl activists fighting for education rights and resources around the world, I am left inspired by their relentless determination, hard work, and creativity. They always do their homework and research. They always bring practical, smart ideas to the table."

MY: In a world that often excludes girls, what advice would you give to girls who want to bring about change in their community? 

Ayesha Kareem: This line that I heard from someone comes to mind: “If you plan to go fast, you go alone. If you plan to go further, you need to go together,” this is the advice I follow myself. When you find space at decision-making tables, make sure you create avenues, resources, and space for other young women. Bring them together to be a part of these decision-making processes.

Co-led by young women leaders and Malala Fund, the Girls’ Vision project seeks to reimagine secondary education to better meet the needs, wants and ambitions of girls. The consultation has now concluded and we expect to share the findings and recommendations early next year.