Global Girl Leaders Advisory Group

The Global Girl Leaders Advisory Group was formed in 2023 as a group of adolescent girls and young women aged 15 – 24 who work together in partnership with UNICEF to amplify the importance of girl-centred, girl-led policy and programming. In 2024, a new group of girl leaders from across all seven world regions where UNICEF is working were nominated as new members. The group advocates for adolescent girls’ rights, empowerment and leadership across a whole range of issues that affect girls today – from child marriage, gender-based violence, access to education and climate change, to teenage pregnancy, poverty, the unfair care burden and girls’ needs in humanitarian crisis. They also provide advice and feedback on UNICEF’s work with and for adolescent girls, including policy, advocacy, programming and overall strategy.

Anna, 18
Ukraine

Serving on the UNICEF Ukraine Young People Advisory Board (YPAB), Anna is a passionate advocate for children's and girls' rights in the face of global challenges. Anna’s leadership journey aims to inspire her peers to challenge gender roles and pursue their aspirations. She has participated in key international forums, including the European Forum of Young Leaders, the European Economic Congress, and the International Children’s Forum. With a deep passion for both political science and earth science, Anna is an aspiring researcher committed to making a lasting impact through her leadership and advocacy. In 2024, she is one of the core organizers of the first Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) ever held in Ukraine under the umbrella of YOUNGO. In addition to her work with UNICEF, she is a board member of the Young European Ambassadors initiative in Ukraine and has enrolled in international educational programmes, including the Cambridge Future Scholar Programme (CCIR) and Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS). As a member of the Global Girl Leaders Advisory Group, Anna hopes to broaden her impact on education and opportunities for girls worldwide. 

Aya, 17
Mauritania

From a young age, Aya has been a committed advocate against violence towards women and children. Her activism focuses on gender-based, intimate partner and sexual violence, the right to health and education. Aya’s commitment to raising awareness and giving voice to victims led her to cofound the organization Our Rights Our Voice (OROV). OROV provides a safe, anonymous platform for victims of sexual violence to share their stories. These poignant accounts have deepened Aya's resolve to fight against violence towards women. OROV also works to educate people about critical health issues in Mauritania, including breast cancer and female genital mutilation. Aya's dedication to women's and children's rights is reflected by her keen interest in UNICEF initiatives which empower young women to speak about their current realities and future aspirations. 

Bianca, 18
Romania

Bianca is dedicated to empowering young people through education and advocacy. Sparked by the challenges she observes among her peers, Bianca says that her activism is a driving force in her life. As president of Romania’s National Student Council, she represents over 3 million students, pushing for legislative reforms, student well-being, and equal access to resources.

Now in her final year of secondary school, Bianca also serves as an Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps ambassador. In this role, she organizes events to inspire young people to explore new cultures, develop practical skills, and embrace lifelong learning. Passionate about girls' empowerment, she believes that education, combined with the arts—whether theatre, literature, or music—can inspire young women to break barriers, pursue leadership, and claim their place in the world. Through these efforts, Bianca aims to help create a future where girls can thrive and lead with confidence.

Elizabeth, 19
Malawi

Elizabeth is a dedicated climate and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) advocate, passionate about adolescent girls’ empowerment. As a secondary school student and member of the Green Girls Initiative, she champions environmental sustainability, waste management, mental health awareness and SRHR for adolescents and children in her community.

Elizabeth’s climate activism is inspired by a personal experience. Following the partial destruction of her family home due to flooding, she was forced to seek refuge in a camp for internally displaced persons. Elizabeth says that, drawing strength from this experience, she committed to ensuring climate resilience in her community by advocating for policies designed to mitigate the impact of climate change. In 2023, Elizabeth was selected by the Ministry of Youth to represent adolescent girls in Malawi at COP 28 in Dubai.

Ines, 20
Chad

Ines is passionate about defending girls’ rights. Growing up in a family of teachers, she says she was fortunate to receive support throughout her school career. As a committed advocate for girls’ education and protection, Ines has participated in many local initiatives. Through the U-Report Chad and Super Banat platforms supported by UNICEF, she has spoken out against violence and child marriage. She also champions access to economic and professional opportunities for girls in her country.

In her free time, Ines enjoys reading and getting involved in community projects. She dreams of a future where every girl has access to quality education and can achieve her full potential. She says she is determined to continue to fight for girls until their voices are heard and respected everywhere.

Kantuta, 23
Bolivia

An Aymaran woman from the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Kantuta advocates for indigenous people’s rights, and indigenous women and youth in particular. As a member of the Red de Jóvenes Indígenas de América Latina y el Caribe (Network of Indigenous Youth of Latin America and the Caribbean or RedLac) at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), she has represented the indigenous youth perspective and championed youth participation in decision-making processes at the national, regional and international levels.

Kantuta also participated in the 2021 International Summer Programme on Indigenous People’s Rights and Policy at Columbia University. She writes essays for the UNICEF Voices of Youth platform to promote an indigenous youth perspective on current issues. As a member of the Young Group for Health of the Pan American Health Organization, Kantuta also campaigns for youth access to health care. Currently, she is co-chair of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus (2024-2025).

Lovanchor, 20
Papua New Guinea

Lovanchor is passionate about graphic design and poetry. As a student at the University of Papua New Guinea, she spends her free time volunteering, carrying out freelance graphic design work, practicing taekwondo and participating in debating competitions. She also creates capacity building programmes for her education advocacy work. Lovanchor says that she hopes her work in this area encourages young girls to overcome gender barriers by pursuing education and the careers of their choice.

Maria, 19
Syria

Maria is a medical student passionate about climate change, gender equality, and empowering youth. As such, she volunteered as a young researcher with the Participatory Action Research team supported by the UNICEF Adolescent Development and Participation Programme in Syria. As a strong believer in the importance of empowering girls, Maria has participated in STEM training and hackathons, including as a mentor at the Ada Lovelace Hackathon. In 2023, she led the first Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) ever held in Syria under the umbrella of YOUNGO. In 2024, she went on to organize the second LCOY in Syria. After completing a UNICEF training programme, she is now active in the Regional Community of Practice for Climate Change (RCPCC) in the Middle East and North Africa with a focus on initiatives to advance gender equality in climate change. Maria says that she envisions a world where every girl believes in herself and has equal rights and opportunities.

Maria, 17 
Colombia

Since childhood, Maria has been passionate about children’s rights, especially as they relate to equity and equality. She is committed to deepening her understanding of the issues and helping to close the social gaps that affect so many, especially girls and adolescents. Her goal is to promote a more just society, in which each girl can reach her full potential.

Maria represents the Children's Participation group in her municipality. She is also a member of UNICEF's Adolescents on the Move Participation Network which advocates for girls' rights and is committed to addressing gender-based violence and child marriage. Through the Network, with the support of UNICEF, she has contributed to making impact in various territories. Maria is currently studying law and hopes to help create lasting change for girls.

Menghorng, 18
Cambodia

Menghorng is a dedicated advocate for tech, education and entrepreneurship. Now in her first year of university, she majors in data science and AI engineering. Engaged in tech since the age of 15, Menghorng has long been inspiring girls to pursue careers in the industry. Through UNICEF’s Generation Future programme, she led the Ladies in Tech initiative and founded STEMUNITY, a startup promoting STEM education in Cambodia.

As a member of UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Region’s Young People’s Action Team, Menghorng represents Cambodian youth at international forums such as the ASEAN ICT Forum and the Asia-Pacific Meeting on Education. Her work extends to environmental causes, including through developing games to inspire climate action and the Skills4Girls programme. Her journey showcases her commitment to driving change and empowering girls in tech.

Raya, 19
Maldives

Raya is passionate about health, including mental health, and nutrition for young girls. She is a member of the UNICEF Maldives Youth Reference Group and the South Asian Regional Network (SARYN), and a global ambassador for International Adolescent Health Week 2024. As a Youth Reference Group member, Raya has participated in UNICEF-led activities such as Safe Spaces, represented young people at the Nutrition Roundtable, and co-facilitated the Asia Pacific Youth Symposium 2024. She is also a member of the Maldives Girl Guides Association, who work towards the empowerment of adolescent girls in the country. Raya is particularly interested in education and skills as she believes that the education sector could focus more on how adolescents grow and learn to empower themselves through STEM and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Sabnam, 18
Nepal

Sabnam is a peer educator at the Girls Empowerment Project run by Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (JCYCN) and Kanallan. She advocates for girls' rights in her community and has worked as a self-defence trainer. Having grown up in a conservative community, she says she has chosen to be a champion with a goal of changing the narrative for girls, especially those who are marginalized. She leads sessions on leadership skills, online safety and stress management for girls in her community. In her free time, Sabnam campaigns for menstrual hygiene management, plastic management and sexual and reproductive health and rights.  Sabnam believes that women are equally as capable as men and aspires to be a voice for adolescent girls in her community and in South Asia. 

Sundus, 18
Jordan

As a digital media graduate, Sundus’ achievements are a source of inspiration for many. Despite dropping out of primary school due to lack of disability support, Sundus never gave up on her dream of pursuing education. Although she faced discrimination growing up, she says that she always stood up herself. She recalls that her journey took a positive turn when she was awarded a UNICEF-supported scholarship for young people with disabilities. Inspired by passionate teachers and supportive peers in an inclusive learning environment with accessible facilities, Sundus thrived in college. Drawing from her experience, she now advocates for genuine inclusivity, highlighting the importance of a change in mindset as much as physical adaptations.

Sundus has completed training with the Arab Renaissance Organization (ARDD), focusing on women's rights. She won first place in an international competition on women's participation in the labour market. As a dedicated volunteer and social activist, Sundus highlights girls’ success stories. She has been selected as a member of the I Am Human Society.

Tupokigwe, 16
Tanzania

As a secondary student, Tupokigwe is passionate about ICT and STEM. She has participated in a variety of national STEM competitions, including the Girls in ICT programme, where she secured first place for three consecutive years. Tupokigwe's innovative projects, including a project showcased at the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Competition (MAKISATU), have earned her recognition on prestigious platforms and key global moments such as Day of the African Child and the International Girls in ICT Day. Beyond her academic achievements, she is committed to encouraging other young girls to explore technology and pursue STEM careers. Tupokigwe's dream is to leverage technology to solve real-world problems and inspire the next generation of young innovators in Tanzania.