Girls know the challenges shaping their lives. They see the barriers keeping their peers out of school, the harmful behaviors that go unchallenged, and the need for information that can help girls make decisions about their futures.
They also have bold ideas for creating change.
Through Global Catalyst’s Girl Advocacy Committee, girls around the world are receiving the advocacy training, mentorship, and support to turn those ideas into action. Starting with an issue that matters to them, they develop and lead social action projects that bring their communities together for lasting solutions.
To-date, we’ve supported 37 girl-led community impact projects — from Vietnam to Paraguay and even right here in the United States — addressing critical issues affecting girls like teen pregnancy, gender-based violence, and education inequality.
Below, three extraordinary girl advocates describe their advocacy projects, in their own words — what inspired them to act, what they accomplished, and what they learned about their power to ignite change.
Here’s what they had to say.
Miriam, United States: Helping Students Recognize and Report Sexual Harassment
The issue I identified in my school community was sexual harassment happening to girls without them even realizing it was sexual harassment.
I got tired of seeing girls experience sexual harassment from boys in school, so I decided to take action. I made posters explaining and put 2–3 on each floor of my school. Then, I recruited my friend to come to advisory classes with me, and presented slides to educate students about sexual harassment and what to do if they see or experience it.
“I learned that if there is an issue in your community that you care about, you have to take things into your own hands and try to make a change.” – Miriam, New York, United States
I also created a reporting box and put it in the counselor’s office where students could report sexual harassment or ask questions about it that would be answered by the counselor.
I noticed that after my presentations, when girls experienced sexual harassment from boys, they would say, “That’s sexual harassment. Miriam taught me that.”
After that, I also noticed that the amount of sexual harassment I was noticing was decreasing. I learned that if there is an issue in your community that you care about, you have to take things into your own hands and try to make a change.
Irene, Tanzania: Working Towards Zero Teenage Pregnancies at Her School
For a long time, our communities have faced teenage pregnancies, as documented in health reports. I am a 14-year-old student who believes that every girl has a right to an education and the opportunity to reach her dreams. This inspired me to research the issue, apply to the Girl Advocacy Committee, and start the Zero Teenage Pregnancy Project at a local secondary school in Tanzania’s Coastal Region.
I started this project because teenage pregnancy is a problem in our school. I wanted to help girls learn more about its health, social, economic, and educational challenges, and how they can protect their futures.
During the project, I met with girls, our school principal, and teachers who were committed to supporting the project, both in our school and in surrounding communities. Our discussions focused on making informed choices, building confidence, and safeguarding girls’ health and education.
Girls asked questions and shared their ideas. These conversations helped them feel free to talk about challenges in their lives that can contribute to teenage pregnancy. I also shared information about where girls could get help when they needed it.
Through this project, I learned that students can make a difference in their communities when they have the chance to design projects, put them into action, and make decisions—even at a young age like mine. We do not need to wait until we are adults to become changemakers in our communities.
“We do not need to wait until we are adults to become changemakers of our communities.” – Irene, Tanzania
My hope is that all the girls at our school will help carry this project forward and raise their voices as we work toward zero teenage pregnancies in 2026 and the years to come. I also plan to continue this project after completing my ordinary-level education at this school.
I thank Global Catalyst for supporting me in implementing this important project.
Swati, India: Helping Girls Return to School
My Girl Advocacy Committee journey in the Sikharchandi Slum community helped me understand how important it is for every girl to have the opportunity to learn and choose her own future.
During my community work, we conducted a household survey among 50 families and identified five children who had dropped out of school. We spoke with parents, conducted awareness meetings and rallies, and later visited schools to discuss admission with teachers.
Through these efforts, I helped one child successfully return to school, while the process for the other children is continuing.
This experience taught me that education, confidence, decision-making, and self-advocacy are very important for girls.
I also understood that family and community support play an important role in shaping a girl’s future. When families listen to girls, respect their decisions, and support their dreams, girls can move forward with greater confidence.
I hope for a future where no girl has to give up her education or dreams because of family pressure, financial difficulties, gender discrimination, or child marriage. Every girl should have the opportunity to learn, develop her skills, express her opinions, and choose the life she wants.
Ready to meet more inspiring changemakers? Check out, “8 Girls From 8 Different Countries Working Together to Ignite Global Change.”
Global Catalyst mentors girls around the world to become powerful advocates and confident leaders. Our signature program, GLOW Club, connects girls in some of the world’s most underserved areas with trusted local mentors and a safe space to express themselves as they develop their agency, find their voice, and build their power. Since our founding, we’ve ignited the power of more than 100,000 girls, sparking a growing movement of youth-led change that is transforming communities — and the world — for the better.
