This past September, the world turned its attention to two major United Nations events: the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the inaugural Summit of the Future. These gatherings brought together world leaders, activists, and visionaries to take stock and address critical global issues, from gender equality and peacebuilding to climate action and digital innovation. Girl Up leaders and staff were not only present at both but took center stage, raising their voices for gender justice and spearheading meaningful change.
With simultaneous activations across New York City and online, Girl Up’s youth leaders made their mark at every step, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of girls and young women were heard loud and clear. Whether through youth-led panels, strategic partnerships, or digital campaigns reaching millions, Girl Up was there, demanding a seat at the table and fighting for a more equitable, sustainable future.
Here’s a look back at some of the key moments and activations Girl Up led during these transformative global events.
Summit of the Future
On September 22-23, the United Nations hosted the Summit of the Future, gathering world leaders to create a new international framework for a more equitable present and a sustainable future. Girl Up leaders seized this opportunity to demand gender justice and push for meaningful change. Here’s a look at some of the inspiring actions they spearheaded.
Action Days
Girl Up leaders Valeria, Eylül, and Sofia participated in the two Action Days (September 20-21) in leading up to the Summit of the Future. The event kicked off with a dedicated, youth-led afternoon followed by a Saturday program which focused on three priority themes – digital and technology, peace and security, and sustainable development and financing.
It’s crucial to remind world leaders that funding directly impacts young people’s lives, and gender equality should never be treated as a secondary priority.
Valeria, Girl Up Global Advisory board member
Power In Her Voice
Hosted by the United Nations Foundation’s Unlock at the Ford Foundation, Power In Her Voice kicked off the Action Days on October 20. Girl Up Board Member Valeria sat on a panel of experts discussing the undeniable power of women and girls to shift the outcomes of ongoing crises and what they need from their communities to do so. Former Girl Up Regional Leader for Eurasia Alua presented her video game to promote and enhance women’s and maternal healthcare to a room of leaders and funders, including the Danish representative to the UN—newly elected to the Security Council–and the US Special Envoy to Afghanistan for Women and Girls Affairs.
What Girls Want
Despite the promises of the Summit of the Future and the Action Days, there was a lack of meaningful participation of girls and youth in the actual decision-making mechanisms. For far too long, decisions have been made without the input of girls and young women. The What Girls Want campaign boldly called out for this exclusion, urging world leaders to listen, highlighting demands that girls and young women have voiced repeatedly over the last decade. These demands aren’t just ideals—they are essential steps for securing a fairer future for all.
Here are their 12 powerful demands:
- End inequality and discrimination
- Invest in gender-sensitive policies
- Fund girls’ activism and initiatives
- Codify girls’ rights into law
- Ensure girls’ decision-making power
- Strengthen accountability at every level
- Combat climate change with sustainable practices
- Guarantee reproductive justice
- Provide full, quality education for all
- Build peaceful, inclusive societies
- Ensure freedom from violence
- Deliver economic justice for women and girls
Refusing to remain silent while decisions are made without them, 15 Girl Up leaders and numerous fearless youth advocates from other girl-serving organizations took a stand outside of the United Nations headquarters in New York. With Malala Yousafzai by their side, Girl Up alum Rebecca and Teen Advisor Eylül delivered a powerful message: girls and young women must be active co-creators of the future, not passive spectators.
The time has long passed for girls and young women like me to be treated as mere afterthoughts or last-minute considerations. World leaders have a crucial responsibility to include us in the foundational design of these processes […] Anything less is unacceptable.
Eylül, girl up teen advisor
Together with Girl Up, Malala Fund, She’s The First, and 20 other girl-centered organizations, What Girls Want digital campaign reached over 4 million people across social media.
Once Upon a Future
The United Nations Foundation organized a global streaming event with a cast of creators, influencers, and experts to unpack the Summit, the Pact for the Future, and the issues we care about.
Girl Up leaders Tahirah, Lulu, Zehra, Jayna, and Rebecca took part in the Once Upon a Future campaign, which invites youth to envision what New York could look like 50 years from now and encourages them to take action today for a shared and sustainable future.
Feminist Futures Festival
Running parallel to the UN Summit of the Future, the Feminist Futures Festival was a powerful feminist-led event that brought together advocates for gender justice. Held both virtually and in-person in New York City, the festival featured inspiring speakers, dynamic workshops, and a vibrant community of changemakers.
Girl Up leaders were in attendance, participating in discussions and amplifying the voices of young women from around the world. With opportunities to network, engage with thought leaders, and celebrate feminist achievements, the festival underscored the vital role of feminist leadership in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.
Together for a Period Friendly World
In collaboration with WASH United, P&G, Changing Our World, UNICEF, the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund, Days for Girls, PSI, and The Case for Her, Girl Up co-hosted the Together for a Period Friendly World event during UNGA week. The event underscored the critical role of menstrual health and hygiene in advancing girls’ education, women’s health, economic empowerment, and global development.
Girl Up staff member Sofía shared her experience combating period poverty in Chile, highlighting strategies to scale efforts from local initiatives to national impact.
Global Citizen Festival
On September 28, 10 Girl Up leaders and Girl Up staff members Carol and Priestley volunteered for the Global Citizen Festival at Central Park in New York City. The event brought together artists like Post Malone and Doja Cat, activists, heads of state, and 60,000 attendees for a day of music and advocacy to fight extreme poverty and climate change.
Unlock The Future
Hosted by the United Nations Foundation, Girl Up is proud to be part of Unlock The Future, a coalition with a 5-year action plan to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals by increasing and streamlining direct youth funding. Girl Up’s Chief Executive Officer, Melissa Kilby, was in attendance and joined by Girl Up leaders, Valeria and Alua official members of Unlock’s youth advisory committee On October 25, at the height of UNGA, UNF announced Unlock’s Funders Collective that brings together 25 of the largest youth-serving organizations and funders.
Girl Up is excited to be a part of the Unlock Coalition to simplify and expedite direct funding for youth around the world. It is high time that our actions match our promises to bet on our youth to lead us towards a more just and more equitable future. As part of Unlock’s Incubation Team, Girl Up will ensure youth sit at the head of the table during these important dialogues.
Melissa Kilby, Girl Up CEO
To keep up with all the incredible ways Girl Up leaders are fundraising, organizing, storytelling, and advocating around gender justice beyond UNGA week, follow Girl Up on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook.
