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An international youth campaigning network founded at last year’s Girl Summit is set to continue its work for girls’ rights around the world.
YouthForChange, which was initially established to drive and support the movement to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage worldwide, will ensure that campaigning and advocacy driven by young people is at the heart of these and other girls’ rights campaigns.
The network – made up of 26 young activists – will be furthering its work in Ethiopia, Ghana, Bangladesh and the UK with support from global children’s charity Plan UK and funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).
In each country, the group will create opportunities for young people to learn new advocacy and campaigning skills, collaborate with each other and influence decision makers on a local, regional and international scale.
UK YouthForChange activist Daniel Piché Hainsworth, 15, from Twickenham, London, said: “We know that it’s absolutely vital that the voices of young people are heard in the battle for gender equality worldwide.
“Put simply, young people are the experts on what is happening to them,” Daniel continued. “We won’t end FGM, child marriage and other rights violations without listening to those affected and putting their views at the centre of the solutions that we create.
“Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the change-makers of today.”
The campaigners will develop national strategies to support and empower youth campaigners in each of the four selected countries.
The project will also have a strong focus on international collaboration led through a new online platform, #ChangeClub, where young people will be able to exchange ideas and support each other’s efforts, as well as engaging with other youth networks.
The YouthForChange movement was set up in support of the UK government’s Girl Summit, held in July 2014. The Summit saw significant commitments from governments and NGOs from around the world to ending FGM and child marriage and was notable for its successful engagement of young people.
YouthForChange arranged a special youth event alongside the Summit, where a ‘youth action statement’ was developed to make clear to decision-makers what young people saw as the priority areas in ending FGM and child marriage. This pioneering youth advocacy model will now be taken forward in other areas.
“The aim with YouthForChange was always to create a sustainable youth campaign that could take on a life of its own,” says Kerry Smith, Head of Advocacy, Campaigns and Research for Plan UK.
“Now we’re supporting the movement to take that next step, and through initiatives such as #ChangeClub, the aim is that YouthForChange will continue to ensure young people are heard as we campaign for girls’ rights around the world.”
Plan, which will act as the secretariat for #YouthForChange, was selected by DFID for its expertise in youth participation having successfully supported the group at the Summit last July.
“We’re excited about what we can achieve,” added Daniel. “The momentum and energy has always been there, and now we have the support too. We’re looking forward to getting started with our colleagues in Ethiopia, Ghana and Bangladesh.”
