GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable

11 October 2019

Twenty-five years ago, more than 30,000 women from 200 countries arrived in Beijing for the World Conference on Women, determined to recognize the rights of women and girls as human rights.

Representative countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing the rights of not only women but girls. Twenty-five years later, the Platform for Action remains a powerful foundation for assessing progress on gender equality.

Today, on the International Day of the Girl 2019, we are working alongside and supporting all girls to amplify their voices and stand up for their rights. Under the theme “GirlForce: Unscripted and Unstoppable”, International Day of the Girl is celebrating achievements by, with and for girls since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and passage of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

We are so proud to see the advancement in girls’ rights in Australia over the last 25 years. In our local community, we have been inspired by so many girls and women and the contributions they are making towards the rights of girls. We were lucky enough to talk to six of them about their experiences:

1. Yasmin Poole, Youth Ambassador for Plan International, spoke about how her experiences growing up shaped her views of the world, the importance of representation and the incredible things that youth can achieve.
2. Amy and Lou from Lightbulb Improv reflected on changes for girls over the last 25 years, what unscripted and unstoppable means to them, and their advice for girls today.
3. Clara, Anya and Aoibhinn, organisers of the Canberra School Strike for Climate, discussed following their passions and overcoming the barriers that were put in their way because of their age.

Be inspired by these girls and women telling their stories on our YouTube channel.