Africa
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Africa
In one of the world’s most unequal countries—ranked 181 of 191—something extraordinary happened. On International Day of the Girl 2022, Sierra Leone’s Parliament opened its chambers to Plan International’s “Girls Takeover.” “We’ve been silenced, told women cannot lead. But we are here—in seats that have never held voices like ours.” Blessing, Fatmata, Lucia, and Cassandra debated the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, demanding 30% of leadership roles for women—when only 14% existed. One year later, the law passed. Women now hold 30.4% of Parliament. This is our Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions story—told through archival footage, interviews, and on October 11, 2026, the girls will return to Parliament—proof that when girls rise, nations are transformed.
Today is October 11, 2022 and we are doing this in celebration of International Day of the Girl. There is a need for us to be seen in society as leaders. We have been discriminated against, chastised, underestimated, and told that we cannot lead, but the potential that lives within us is great. Our leadership is what is needed. Our gender, our girls, and young women are very transformative and we can be great leaders.
-Blessing (age 17), Acting Speaker of the Parliament for Plan's #GirlTakeover
From the Plan International website: "Founded in 1937, Plan International is a development and humanitarian organization that works together with children, young people, supporters and partners to strive for a just world, where we are all equal.
To do this we tackle the root causes of the challenges and inequalities that children and young girls face. We’re there for children from birth until adulthood and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity.
We strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We engage people and partners to:
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Empower children, young people and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls, exclusion and vulnerability.
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Drive change in practice and policy at local, national and global levels through our reach, experience and knowledge of the realities children face.
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Work with children and communities to prepare for and respond to crises and to overcome adversity.
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Support the safe and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood.
Girls have the power to change the world. Our ambition is to work beside them to help create a world where we are all equal."
Plan International Global Social Links
Plan International Sierra Leone Social Links
