Africa
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Africa
For SDG16, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, we travel to Sierra Leone. On International Day of the Girl (2022), Plan International created an opportunity for a “Girls Takeover” of parliament. Sierra Leone is ranked 181 of 191 on the UN’s Gender Inequality Index. During the takeover, girls spoke up for the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act during a mock debate. The act reserves a minimum 30% of elected/appointed positions in public/private sectors for women. Prior to the bill, only 14% of elected officials were women. After the law was enacted in 2023, figures jumped to 30.4% and women won 41 seats in parliament. It was the single largest increase to women’s political participation in the country’s history and these young women made it possible. In cooperation with Plan International, we’ll follow another dynamic “Girls Takeover” action in 2025, and follow up with the girls of the 2022 Sierra Leone takeover to see where they are now.
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
