Voices

Leadership Spotlight: Luisa Castro — Girl Up México

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Leading a Feminist Revolution Across México

From Monterrey to Mexico City, Luisa Castro, Director of Programs & Operations for Girl Up México, has spent nearly a decade nurturing a growing network of young changemakers. What began as a campus club founded with two close friends has evolved into a national movement that’s training, inspiring, and mobilizing girls to lead the change their communities need.

The future of Girl Up in my region is that every girl and young woman in Mexico is equipped with the necessary tools to lead the change that her community needs.

Read Luisa’s reflections on her proudest Girl Up moment, the challenges girls face in Mexico, and her vision for the future of Girl Up in her region.

What is your proudest Girl Up moment?

My proudest Girl Up moment was when I decided to co-found the first Girl Up Campus Club in Mexico along with my two best friends. That moment has defined the last eight years of my life — personally and professionally.

What’s one challenge in your region the world should know about?

In Mexico, we face many challenges (as I’m sure the other regions do), but one that’s really hard to overcome is the level of gender-based violence the country experiences. It’s rooted in the system and, sadly, our governments are not willing to invest in or commit to all of the actions needed to end this problem.

The future of girl up in my region is…

…that every girl and young woman in Mexico is equipped with the necessary tools to lead the change that her community needs.


About Luisa Castro
Director of Programs & Operations, Girl Up México
Based in Mexico City, Luisa leads Girl Up’s programming and operations in Mexico, supporting youth leaders to build gender-just communities through education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing.

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