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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.