Because of Assembly — Assembly

Young women around the world reflect on how this publication has impacted their lives.

(Courtesy of Mariajose de Jesús Castillo Cervantes)

“My life had a before and after when I contributed to Assembly. After publishing my article on the femicide crisis in Mexico, I realized that my words had an impact on the world and that I could speak for myself and other girls thanks to writing. I found a love for writing that impacted my future goals; I now want to study for a master's in journalism and work at an NGO.

By reading other contributors' articles I’ve learned that despite the cultural differences from all the people around the world, there are a lot of girls that think like me and that want to make an impact in the world for a better tomorrow.”

— Mariajose de Jesús Castillo Cervantes, Mexico

“The articles published on Assembly always blow my mind — it is amazing to see what young women can do when they are not underestimated. When Assembly puts us at the forefront — letting us talk about culture, politics, racial justice or anything that is important to us — it tells us that in this one space, our voice matters. Assembly has helped me bring stories to life that I otherwise would never have been able to put together and articulate. It has made me feel like my stories, along with those of so many young women around the world, are not just important, but necessary to move forward. In a world where women still have to struggle for the most basic rights, Assembly is a space where we do not have to struggle: where we can be loud, opinionated and honest.”

— Saachi Gupta, India

“Assembly has allowed me to amplify my impact and cultivate my voice amongst a global community of girls striving to actively create a better tomorrow. Through connecting with contributors and readers far and wide, I have learned from change agents defying expectations and trailblazing new legacies how to further my own work to make an impact and mentor others. Assembly is truly more than just stories or commentary, but it's truth, and in that truth lies power to connect across divides to inspire change.”

— Tabitha Willis, U.S.

“Assembly has helped me share my story and given me and my mom the chance to inspire tens of thousands of people around the world. Societies can make anything or everything a woman does seem so ordinary — but Assembly recognizes the efforts, struggles and all the wonderful things women do and are capable of doing.

After the publication of my article about my mom’s return to college, everything changed. Everyone started seeing my mom as the superwoman that she is. She finally got the recognition she definitely deserved, and she felt like her hard work definitely paid off. Assembly truly makes sure to show the world what women go through and how they grow through that.”

— Sheikh Sundus Zeeshan, Pakistan

“Writing for Assembly makes me feel like home; a home full of young women coming from all around the world who I may not know or have not met but I can relate to them at some point.

This diverse community of such young women inspires me, makes me feel like I have a home where my voice is acknowledged, encouraged and heard. Because of Assembly I have become a part of a space where young women coming from different countries, culture, backgrounds are celebrated for who they are and I’m grateful for that.”

— Opshori Nondona, Bangladesh

“Assembly was the first platform that allowed me to speak up. Because of that, I gained the confidence to speak up for myself.

Because of Assembly, I started participating in many online women's rights platforms. I have started to help others who have mental health illnesses and spread awareness about various social issues faced by girls, women and children. I gained the courage to make social activism my career path.

Through Assembly, my relatives and parents have started to value my thoughts and started encouraging me. I hear my friends now saying that they look up to me and are proud of my work. All thanks to Assembly.”

— Dekshina Nair, India

“Since I’ve joined the Assembly community about a year and a half ago, I’ve started getting more aware about the issues girls and young women have to face every day around the world. Reading the articles from other contributors I’ve had the chance to think over the circumstances, conditions and injustices us young women are forced to face every day — from the educational deprivation to the stigma of menstrual cycle, and so many more.

I’ve also been so lucky to have had the chance to share my contributions a couple of times for the ‘Around the world’ feature, and I’m so grateful to have been part of the work Assembly does daily to raise the voice of girls and young women that the world still pretends not to hear or doesn’t take seriously. Assembly teaches us that we don’t have to be afraid to raise our voice and speak up for our human rights, that we have the right to highlight our issues and to demand more justice for ourselves.”

— Cristina Cattaneo, Italy

“Growing up, I thought that there was never going to be a place for me within society where I felt like I most fit in — I constantly struggled to balance it all, but at the same time, I wanted to amplify the voices of as many marginalised communities as I could. When I began writing, I began to feel like all the hecticness of my South Indian and British upbringing amalgamated into one place, and who better to share that feeling with if not Assembly? When I saw my stories published in Assembly, a publication where the voices of powerful, resilient, warm, strong and fearless changemakers from all over the world shared their lived experiences, I was honoured to be a small part of this incredible community of women who champion and uplift each other. Because of Assembly, I learn and unlearn so much from all of the articles and the stories of other contributors – I can’t wait to continue learning more!”

— Nila Varman, U.K.

“Assembly provides a united environment for girls around the world to use their voices to demand women’s rights. A space like this helps us all get to know each other’s realities and have contact with the experiences of other girls, and thus fight for all, understanding the reality of each one. Every country has a different way of dealing with women’s rights, so by observing each difference and each struggle, we can support each case in unique ways.”

— Isabela Paulino, Brazil

“I remember first writing a piece for the publication when I was 17 talking about my work back home in Alaska. I am a product of one of the most diverse school districts in the United States and grew up understanding how important it was to have curricula that included accurate Indigenous narratives. I wrote and published my first piece the summer before my first year of college and today I am about to graduate from Columbia University with my civil engineering and anthropology degree.

I am still in community with the people who gave me a platform to talk about education equity, and I am so grateful for the community built. I also was published in an anthology with the Malala Fund with 24 other women and even got to attend events here in NYC.

I would not be where I am without the support and community at the Malala Fund. Thank you for allowing me to tell the story of brilliance and resiliency of myself and those in my community. Quyana Cakneq.”

— Charitie Ropati, U.S.

“Reading other contributors’ articles on Assembly reminds me that so many powerful and resilient girls and women activists are out there, ready to speak up for issues that matter to them. This experience makes me feel more connected to girls and girls’ issues around the world and gives me hope and excitement that helps me continue my own activism. Contributing to Assembly makes me feel proud of being a girl.

I am grateful to have connected with brilliant, brave souls like fellow writer and activist Anya Sen through Assembly. Above all, I am honored to be a part of the vibrant Assembly community; I wish all girls could read this publication.”

— Heidi Nam, South Korea

(Courtesy of Eduek Nsentip and Uforo Nsentip)

“The version of us that yearned to explore the world and contribute to tackling its plights became stimulated after our high school graduation; precisely during the pandemic and because of Assembly, we have become confident and empowered through our advocacy for a better, innovative, sustainable and happy world.”

— De Nsentip Twins (Eduek Nsentip and Uforo Nsentip), Nigeria

“Writing and reading for Assembly has marked a difference in my life. I felt the change towards the confidence I now have in my voice and being able to transmit my thoughts into an article that can probably positively change another girl's life, like the way reading Assembly’s other writers' stories have changed mine. Most importantly is that I am not afraid to use my voice, words matter and we are free to express them in such a beautiful way to leave a positive impact in someone.”

— Flavia, El Salvador

“There is a certain unfiltered connection I formed with myself after having contributed to Assembly. The vagrant thoughts which encompassed a zeal to become commentaries became stronger than ever and I owe it all to the community at Assembly.

Be it because of the editorial team or the connections I built with fellow writers and readers, Assembly has now become my safe haven where my thoughts are not only embraced, but also empowered.”

— Khwahish Khan, India

Tess Thomas

(she/her) is the editor of Assembly, a digital publication and newsletter from Malala Fund. She loves books, cats and french fries. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.