This is a unique opportunity for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to advocate for the rights of girls and young women at national, regional and global levels and to champion gender equality through key international policy spaces, including the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
As part of a structured Global Advocacy programme, participants take part in specialised training focused on advocacy, campaigning, policy influence and communications. Global Advocacy Champions represent the voices and priorities of girls and young women from their national Girl Guiding or Girl Scouting organisations and from the diverse countries and communities they come from.
Through the programme, Global Advocacy Champions design and deliver their own national advocacy campaigns and initiatives, engage with decision-makers and contribute to global advocacy efforts. Global Advocacy Champions are selected for their strong commitment to gender equality, active involvement in Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and their ability to lead, challenge injustice and inspire change within their communities and beyond.
Media Enquires: If you would like to talk with any of our Global Advocacy Champions about their activism and role in this global gathering, please contact comms@wagggs.org.
Meet our 2026 Global Advocacy Champions
Agnes, Liberia
YOUNG LEADER | SDGS AMBASSADOR & ADVOCATE | ENGAGE IN PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY AND ITS GENDER DIMENSIONS | A GRADUATE WITH A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY | VOLUNTEER
“Growing up in Liberia and my community, I witnessed how climate change disproportionately affects women and girls, impacting access to education, livelihoods and safety. These realities ignited my passion to advocate for climate justice and gender equality. As a Girl Guide, I am motivated to amplify the voices of girls and young women, address gender dimensions in climate action and contribute to global solutions through WAGGGS that are inclusive, equitable and grounded in lived experiences.”
Agnes is a young leader of the Liberia Girl Guides Association who has been guiding for over 15 years and has grown within the organisation. She is an SDGs advocate and multimedia communicator from Liberia.
“One of the biggest challenges to gender equality in Liberia is deep-rooted cultural norms and gender stereotypes that limit girls’ and women’s access to education, economic opportunities, leadership and decision-making. Providing equal opportunities and platforms for girls, just as boys receive, will encourage them to step out of their comfort zones and recognise their value in society. This is the first step towards making real impact.”
Agnes believes strongly in girls advocating for their rights and having their voices heard. She has been actively involved in community action plans and has led numerous projects focused on gender inequality, climate action, speaking out, girls’ leadership and good health and wellbeing. She consistently encourages girls and young women to join the Girl Guides, highlighting its benefits for those who want to help shape the minds of others and advocate for girls’ rights. As a young leader with great potential, Agnes serves as a role model to her peers, demonstrating that they too can achieve meaningful change and more.
“Looking at gender representation in political spaces and other sectors in my country, men dominate these areas, with women making up as little as five per cent. This lack of representation silences women’s voices. That is why I want to be part of the change by advocating for the introduction of gender equality clubs in schools as extracurricular activities and promoting social inclusion for girls.”
Agnes is currently undertaking a hands-on professional certificate programme in Logistics and Procurement Management. She also serves as the Grand Matron for her basketball organisation’s upcoming appreciation dinner. She is actively engaged in youth leadership, gender equality and its gender dimensions, climate advocacy and community development initiatives at both national and regional levels. Agnes has represented Liberia at regional forums in Kusafiri, Ghana and Nairobi contributing youth perspectives on sustainable development and policy engagement.
She has experience in photography, Introduction to the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), Microsoft Office applications and article writing, using these skills to amplify advocacy messages and community impact. Passionate about empowering young people, especially girls, Agnes is committed to promoting inclusive leadership and advancing the 2030 Agenda through youth-led action. She has been volunteering for over 15 years and also runs a small business to support her economic stability.
Ask Agnes about:
- Gender equality, gender dimensions, and social inclusion (SDGs 5 & 10)
- Advocating for girls’ and women’s rights
- Global youth representation
- Taking community action
Aisha, Libya
SCOUT LEADER | YOUTH FACILITATOR | EDUCATION ACTIVIST
“True impact begins where global advocacy meets grassroots action. By dismantling systemic barriers and empowering youth and women, I work to ensure that education is no longer a privilege, but a right realised through community-driven action.”
Aisha is a youth facilitator and education activist from Libya. She communicates in both Arabic and English.
One of the primary challenges she highlights is ensuring equality across both formal and non-formal education settings, as barriers to learning exist in both spaces.
“I strongly believe that empowering youth and women to lead begins with closing education gaps at an early stage. This means giving them meaningful opportunities to participate actively in designing community projects. I do not only advocate for equal education for all; I work alongside youth and women to turn this vision into reality by supporting them to apply practical solutions to real-world challenges.”
During her leadership journey, Aisha led a digital transformation initiative within the Girl Guiding Movement, aimed at supporting girls to integrate digital tools into their regular activities and move beyond traditional methods. The initiative focused not only on developing technical skills, but also on building digital confidence, ensuring that girls are not left behind in an increasingly digital world. This reflects her commitment to inclusive forward-looking education.
Currently, Aisha collaborates with civil society organisations to support the next generation of leaders. She facilitates impactful sessions that help participants transform ideas into action, equipping them with practical tools to design and implement community initiatives.
Ask Aisha about:
- Action on Sustainable Development Goals 4, 10, and 13
- Digital and green education
- Designing social initiatives
Aishah, United Kingdom
GIRLGUIDING LEADER | POLITICS, PHILOSOPHY AND LAW UNDERGRADUATE | YOUNG ACTIVIST
“My experience of genuine sisterhood has shown me what girls and young women can achieve when they are empowered. Being a girl is not inherently difficult; it has been constructed that way through societal and systemic barriers. It’s time we dismantle those barriers.”
Aishah is a young activist from the United Kingdom with over 15 years of commitment to the Girl Guiding Movement through its Member Organisation, Girlguiding. She speaks English, intermediate-level Spanish and Yoruba.
From 2024–2025, Aishah served as a National Girlguiding UK Advocate, spending two years on the panel speaking out on issues affecting girls and campaigning for change. Highlights of her advocacy include giving two speeches in Parliament, being interviewed live on Sky News and BBC Radio London, contributing to policy roundtables with MPs and attending the Labour Party Conference.
“It is so important that we continue to listen to young women and girls whose identities span across different marginalised groups, including disability, race and ethnicity and sexual orientation.”
Through taking up every opportunity, Aishah actively seeks to inspire young women and girls in her community to take up space and ensure their voices are heard. She is particularly passionate about tackling violence against women and girls in the United Kingdom.
Being a Girlguiding Leader has shown her the immense potential of girls and young women. Aishah takes pride in being a role model who demonstrates that it is possible to unlock this potential despite gender inequality and other forms of marginalisation.
“I was 13 when I first came across the term misogynoir and I would say that was when I first understood the importance of considering intersectional experiences.”
Aishah is dedicated to using her voice to evoke change for girls and young women. Through mastering her public speaking skills in national and local competitions, being Head Student at her secondary school and representing her Member Organisation, she has developed the tools to do so effectively.
Currently, Aishah is studying Politics, Philosophy and Law at University. She aspires to continue her advocacy professionally as a barrister while remaining active in the fields of politics and human rights.
Ask Aishah about:
- Action on Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 10, and 16
- Violence against women and girls and intersectionality
- Empowering young women and girls
Areeba, Pakistan
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS STUDENT | GLOBAL ADVOCACY CHAMPION | YOUNG LEADER | YOUTH ADVOCATE FOR GENDER EQUALITY AND CLIMATE ACTION
“Facing resistance and discouragement while advocating for change as a young woman taught me that meaningful impact requires collective voices, strategic advocacy and persistence.”
Areeba is a youth advocate from Pakistan and an active member of the Pakistan Girl Guides Association working closely with the Girl Guiding Movement through WAGGGS. She is currently in her fifth semester of a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. Her academic journey has been recognised with a gold medal and a Best Student Award at the intermediate level, along with a merit-based scholarship. She speaks English and Urdu and is keenly interested in painting and reading books.
“My journey has shown me that young women’s leadership becomes powerful when it is supported by knowledge, skills, and strong advocacy platforms.”
Areeba joined the Pakistan Girl Guides Association in 2022 after attending a five-day residential leadership training camp, which strengthened her confidence, resilience and commitment to service. Since then, she has actively participated in association meetings, conferences and advocacy initiatives focusing on gender equality, climate action and youth participation in decision-making.
Her advocacy experience includes contributing to Global Youth Mobilization initiatives, serving as a Plastic Tide Turner Champion and participating in Girls Take Over 2025 with UN Women where she engaged in dialogue on leadership, gender equality and inclusive governance. These experiences have deepened her understanding of how grassroots action connects to global advocacy spaces and policy processes.
“Advocacy is not only about speaking up; it is about transforming lived experiences into informed and collective action.”
As a Global Advocacy Champion, Areeba is committed to strengthening youth-led advocacy, empowering girls to raise their voices and promoting gender-responsive and inclusive solutions within her community and beyond.
Ask Areeba about:
- Gender-responsive climate action
- Youth advocacy and leadership development
- Girls’ leadership and participation in decision-making
Charlotte, United Kingdom
GUIDE AND RANGER LEADER | LEGAL PROFESSIONAL | ADVOCATE FOR NEURODIVERSITY, MENTAL HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND GENDER EQUALITY
“I have witnessed how deeply affected people from my area have been by a lack of opportunities, caused by generational poverty and gender inequality. Growing up neurodiverse has shaped my perspective of the world and the boxes people expect you to fit into. I believe that education is essential and there should be no barriers to accessing it.”
Charlotte is a Global Advocacy Champion volunteering for the Girl Guiding Movement and works closely with its Member Organisation, Girlguiding UK. She speaks English and French and holds a Bachelor’s in Law (LLB).
From 2023–2025, Charlotte served on the Girlguiding UK Advocate Panel, representing Girlguiding UK at party conferences, panel events and internal activities such as all-member calls and university rallies.
“At this time, the safety of girls and women in the UK is being threatened by the rise of misogyny. From the sneers of teenage boys in school corridors to the echo chamber of anti-feminist sentiment online, it has become unavoidable. Violence against girls and women is on the rise. I believe that empowering girls and young women, and giving them the resources and support they need, is essential in combatting this threat.”
Charlotte believes that empowering girls and women can help reduce the burdens they face from stereotypes and discrimination. She is a strong advocate for grassroots activism and leads her local Guide and Ranger Units, supporting girls aged 10–18 to build skills and confidence. Charlotte is also a supporter of youth voice in her community and serves on the Girlguiding UK Northwest England Youth Board, as well as the Girlguiding Sustainability and Efficiency Group.
“All girls and women have felt the weight and stigma associated with our gender, and the backlash when they do not fit society’s expectations. From those in engineering and construction to girls who want to study sciences or pursue sports at school, we have all felt it.”
Charlotte has worked with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in designing and implementing their National Youth Strategy, including drafting a section of The State of the Nation report, which outlines the lives of young people in England. She was invited to the Royal Garden Party and received a letter of thanks from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
She is a member of the Access and Assistance Campaign, which aims to increase accessibility in further education colleges, raising awareness of disabilities, the importance of assistive technology and accessible-by-design resources. The campaign hosted a parliamentary event in 2025 and consulted with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Professionally, Charlotte works as a Small Claims Track File Handler at a law firm, specialising in road traffic accidents and corporate risk. She is currently completing her qualifying work experience to become a Solicitor.
Ask Charlotte about:
- Action on Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 10, and 16
- Accessibility in education spaces
- Empowering girls and women to aim high
- Life and education as a legal professional
Fatma, Kuwait
GIRL GUIDE LEADER | YOUNG WOMEN COMMITTEE ACTIVE MEMBER | COMPUTER ENGINEER | PASSIONATE ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, GIRL EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY.
“When girls are trusted and supported, real and lasting impact follows. One voice may begin the change, and over time, united voices create safer environments where meaningful progress grows.”
Fatma has a long-standing connection to the Girl Guiding Movement, which she joined during her school years. Over time, her involvement evolved into active participation in local and international initiatives promoting leadership and decision-making in areas such as the environment, community development, gender equality and girls’ empowerment. Through this journey, she developed a strong belief in the importance of creating safe spaces that support girls’ growth and confidence.
As these values developed, Fatma pursued a career in engineering to translate guiding principles into tangible impact. She is a computer engineer with five years of professional experience and a strong interest in technology and artificial intelligence. Committed to continuous self-development through self-learning, she believes technology can be a powerful tool to support the Girl Guiding Movement and benefit the wider community.
Fatma believes that girls’ voices are often unheard. She strives to use both her guiding experience and technical expertise to contribute to spaces that encourage girls to speak up, lead with confidence, and create meaningful change.
Ask Fatma about:
- Bridging engineering skills with Guiding values to create meaningful and sustainable impact
- Integrating technology and AI into youth and community initiatives
Gabriella, Philippines
YOUNG ADULT REPRESENTATIVE | GIRL SCOUT FACILITATOR | STOP THE VIOLENCE ADVOCATE
“In a society where women’s voices are too often drowned out and education is treated as a privilege instead of a right, I choose to stand in the gap. I stand for the children whose dreams are silenced before they begin, and for the women who have been taught to shrink themselves to fit the world. I choose to stand, I choose to advocate.”
Gabriella is a Girl Scout from the Philippines and speaks English and Tagalog. She is passionate about serving her community and advocating for women and girls.
“Survivors of injustice should be provided with holistic support - legal, psychological and social. When young women see female leaders in governance, law and civil society, they are encouraged to envision themselves in similar positions of influence. Safe spaces for dialogue and empowerment should be established in every community, enabling girls and women to share experiences, learn from one another, and mobilise for collective change. Justice and equality cannot be achieved overnight, but by dismantling barriers, challenging cultural norms, and amplifying the voices of women and girls, we can take steps towards a society where rights are not privileges but lived realities for all.”
Gabriella also highlights the ongoing inequalities women face:
“In many spaces, women are still underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles, while their contributions in households and communities are undervalued. Access to education and employment opportunities, although improving, remains unequal, and women often face the double burden of professional work and unpaid domestic responsibilities.”
She is committed to making women’s voices heard in her community. Gabriella was formerly the Alternate Girl Representative of the Visayas Region to the Central Board and has participated in multiple leadership trainings and events to help younger generations develop confidence and make an impact in their communities.
Currently, Gabriella is a recent graduate and volunteers with several organisations, including the Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center for children with special needs. Her work encourages young women and the wider community to stand up and ensure their voices are heard.
Ask Gabriella about:
- Action on Sustainable Development Goals 2, 4, and 5
- Reproductive health and advocacy
- Leadership in Scouting
Hala, Egypt
YOUTH ADVOCATE | FOUNDER OF HALA’S JOURNEY | LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIAL IMPACT, AND GIRLS’ RIGHTS
“I grew up witnessing many cases of women being denied their rights. I could never accept inequality or unfairness. For me, silence was no longer an option.”
Hala is a proud member of WAGGGS and works closely with her Member Organisation, the Egyptian Girl Guides Association. She speaks Arabic, French, English, Spanish, and German and currently serves as Assistant Troop Leader of Guides de Sion.
“I believe that every girl and every woman must first understand her rights in order to claim them. Knowledge is the foundation of empowerment. When girls know their rights, they can stand up for themselves and for others.”
Through Hala’s Journey, she shares her path in growth, well-being, sustainability and social impact. Through workshops, campaigns and youth-led initiatives, she demonstrates how small actions can empower girls to understand their rights, raise their voices and connect gender equality with peacebuilding and climate action.
Hala has represented Egypt at global WAGGGS leadership programmes including the Juliette Low Seminar (JLS) at Sangam, India, where she launched Rise with Her, empowering over 100 girls in her community through leadership training and advocacy tools, and creative workshops transformed plastic waste into tools for growth, combining environmental action with youth empowerment.
She aims to expand her local experience to the global stage, collaborating with other young women to amplify voices, influence decision-makers and create real change, ensuring that equality and justice are lived realities for all girls and young women.
“Justice is a principle. Without it, the world would fall apart. I think of it like the nib of a pen, small but essential. Justice holds everything together, bringing clarity, balance, and fairness.”
Hala also leads Caps for Change, a six-month youth-led initiative that transforms plastic bottle caps into funding for a hospital supporting women with breast cancer. By collecting and recycling over 500,000 caps, the project combines sustainability with tangible community impact.
“Even a plastic cap can lead to justice. When girls and women have a place to lead in their community, they model the behaviour for others and engender change.”
Ask Hala about:
- Girls’ rights, gender equality, and climate action
- Youth leadership and advocacy
- Event planning and coordination
- Sustainability, peacebuilding, and social impact
Heloísa, Brazil
GIRL GUIDES LEADER & COORDINATOR | FINAL-YEAR PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT | ACTIVIST IN MENTAL HEALTH, GENDER EQUALITY, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
“Growing up within the Girl Guides shaped my understanding that care, attentive listening, and collective responsibility are the most powerful tools for social change, while also strengthening youth leadership by empowering young people to take initiative, collaborate, and actively contribute to building stronger and more inclusive communities.”
Heloísa has over a decade of dedication to the Girl Guiding Movement and became the first Brazilian selected as a WAGGGS Global Advocacy Champion. Her journey integrates community impact with high-level advocacy. While leading the B2 Branch to foster critical thinking and autonomy among girls aged 12–15, she also serves nationally as a facilitator for strategic initiatives focused on the right to education and climate justice.
"To me, advocacy means giving visibility to experiences that are often silenced and creating spaces where young people feel heard, validated, and capable of promoting change.”
Through projects such as Girls’ Vision (in partnership with the Malala Fund) and GLACC (Girl-Led Action on Climate Change), Heloísa ensures that young people from vulnerable communities recognise their own transformative potential. She has adapted global programmes such as Voices Against Violence and Free Being Me to the context of Brazilian public schools, creating safe spaces for girls to question societal patterns and develop self-esteem.
After representing Brazil at the World Centres Our Chalet and Our Cabaña, she created Roots of the Future (Raízes do Futuro), a project on food sustainability and leadership that evolved into an official national programme of the Federation of Girl Guides of Brazil and is currently implemented in several states.
As a final-year Psychology student, Heloísa combines social activism with a psychological perspective to address structural barriers:
“We live in a society that systematically discredits female voices, leading girls and women to doubt their own capacity. My work focuses on rebuilding this self-esteem and breaking the cycle of silencing that limits female protagonism.”
Whether facilitating workshops or representing WAGGGS in global debates, Heloísa believes that education and emotional support are essential for young women to confidently occupy decision-making positions.
Ask Heloísa about:
- Action on Sustainable Development Goals 3, 5, 12, and 13
- Empowering girls to occupy positions in decision-making
- Youth representation in global debates and World Centres
- Sustainable food systems and the Roots of the Future project
- Psychological perspectives on youth advocacy and leadership
Maram, Tunisia
GIRL GUIDE LEADER | YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESIDENT | YOUTH ACTIVIST | SUSTAINABILITY ADVOCATE
“Growing up while watching youth being silenced, and women and girls rarely being listened to, shaped my urge to speak up again and again. Scouting taught me that leadership is not about waiting for permission to speak, but about using your voice to create change. Today, I choose to speak louder for every girl and young woman who is still unheard.”
Maram is a Girl Guide Leader from Tunisia and serves as the Youth Advisory Committee President within the Tunisian Scouts. She is an active member of her Movement and engages in global advocacy spaces, carrying with her the voices, hopes and dreams of girls and young women who are still fighting to be heard. Her work focuses on youth participation, civic engagement, and sustainability.
“Sky is never the limit”, Maram believes, even when others doubt her ability to succeed. Her leadership journey has been deeply shaped by strong women in her life, especially her mother and by her experience within the Scout Movement and other organisations.
She is committed to empowering girls and young women by giving them access to spaces where they can participate, take initiative and lead in their communities and beyond.
“One of the main challenges I work on is the gap between youth presence and real influence. Young people, especially girls and young women, are often invited into spaces of dialogue without being trusted with real decision-making power. This limits impact and reinforces exclusion. I believe that empowerment begins with trust and access. My work focuses on creating spaces where youth can actively participate, design initiatives, and influence decisions that affect their communities. I do not only advocate for youth participation; I work alongside young people to transform their voices into action.”
Through her leadership journey, Maram has represented Tunisian youth and the Tunisian Scouts in national, regional, and international spaces. Her work spans sustainability, community resilience, renewable energy initiatives, and grassroots mobilisation, with a strong belief that real change starts locally.
Currently, Maram collaborates with youth networks and civil society organisations to strengthen meaningful youth engagement. She facilitates advocacy spaces, training, and project design sessions that support young people in turning ideas into sustainable, community-led initiatives.
Ask Maram about:
- Meaningful youth participation and representation
- Youth civic engagement and advocacy (SDG 16 & SDG 10)
- Designing social initiatives and grassroots organising
My, Sweden
SCOUT LEADER | NORDIC SECRETARIAT MEMBER | WAGGGS VOLUNTEER | YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
“I believe that one of the biggest challenges to gender equality right now in Sweden is the discourse that gender equality has gone ‘too far’. This argument has gained some popularity recently and is often paired with other right-wing, anti-democracy discourse.”
My is a Swedish Scout Leader with over a decade of experience and a youth advocate with WAGGGS, working closely with its Member Organisation, Scouterna. She speaks Swedish, English and intermediate Spanish.
“Girls and women in Sweden generally realise their rights within our country and community; however, due to contemporary harmful gender discourse, they are often portrayed in a negative light and ridiculed. This shows that Sweden is nowhere near finished with its gender equality work.”
During her Juliette Low Seminar project in 2023, My focused on discriminatory practices in everyday life. Participants explored possible harmful practices and structures affecting gender equality and discussed ways to challenge them and raise awareness.
She is committed to ensuring every child has access to meaningful and enjoyable leisure activities, helping shape the leaders of tomorrow. Through her role as a Scout Leader, she empowers young people to broaden their horizons, develop new perspectives, and speak up for themselves.
My has previously been actively involved in youth participation at the local level, volunteered at the WAGGGS World Centre Nuestra Cabaña in Mexico, and represented Sweden at regional and international conferences. She has also served on the local Scout board for over ten years. Having been an active Scout for almost 20 years, she has completed numerous leadership courses and consistently seeks new challenges.
Currently, My is part of the Nordic Secretariat, coordinating Nordic Scouting and Guiding cooperation. She also leads Venture Scouts (ages 15–18) and coordinates local Rover/Ranger meetings. Outside of Scouting, she is completing a Master’s degree in Political Science and has completed an internship at Europe Direct Lund, working on youth-related questions at the EU level.
Ask My about:
- Action on Sustainable Development Goals 5, 10, and 16
- Meaningful youth participation
- Continuing equality work in practice, not only in theory
- Issues related to peace, conflict, and human rights
Nomsa, Lesotho
PUBLIC POLICY SCHOLAR | PROJECTS COORDINATOR ASSISTANT | YOUNG CLIMATE ACTIVIST | FACILITATOR
“Working closely with girls and young women in my community has shown me how deeply social norms, limited opportunities, and inequalities continue to shape their lives. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to ensuring that girls and young women in Lesotho are not only protected, but are empowered to lead and influence decisions that affect their lives.”
Nomsa is a young leader from Lesotho and a public policy scholar, projects coordinator assistant, facilitator and climate activist. She speaks English.
“One of the biggest challenges facing girls in Lesotho is the gap between policies and lived realities at the grassroots level. Empowering girls to speak and participate meaningfully in their communities is a critical step towards lasting change.”
She is determined to bridge policy gaps affecting girls by translating community-level evidence into meaningful policy conversations. Her academic background allows her to connect grassroots insights with policy processes, advocating for policies that are responsive, inclusive, and grounded in real evidence. Nomsa believes that girls must be recognised not only as policy beneficiaries, but also as key contributors to the knowledge needed for effective decision-making.
“During my journey with the Lesotho Girl Guides Association, I have represented youth at numerous local platforms, including African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) sessions in Lesotho, the Youth PowerHub launch sponsored by the EU, UNICEF and IOM, and the national consultation on the National Youth Development Bill, where we highlighted the importance of meaningful youth participation in shaping inclusive policies that reflect the concerns of young women and girls.”
Currently, Nomsa is a public policy student and serves as projects coordinator assistant, supporting the planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes that promote girls’ leadership and community empowerment. Through her work, she continues to advocate for inclusive governance that recognises girls as active leaders and essential contributors to sustainable development.
Ask Nomsa about:
- Action on Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 13
- Evidence-based policymaking
- Youth participation
Tendry, Madagascar
GIRL GUIDE LEADER | YOUTH ADVOCATE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND GENDER EQUALITY
“All along my childhood, witnessing and experiencing how poorly society treats girls and women, I have wanted and searched for ways to stand up and speak up for them. I would love to amplify their voices for change.”
Tendry is an active member of Mpanazava Eto Madagasikara and has been involved in the organisation for many years, developing skills and growing personally, physically, spiritually and mentally. She is a youth advocate for climate change and its impact on girls, as well as a passionate campaigner for gender equality. Tendry speaks English, French and Malagasy, her mother tongue.
“Girls and women have been underestimated and undervalued by society for so long that their rights can start to feel imaginary. The first challenge in advocating for gender equality is helping girls and women recognise their worth and value, and understand their rights. Advocacy is meaningless if those we are fighting for are unaware of their rights or do not believe in their own value.”
Leading the Brownies in her unit in Madagascar, Tendry teaches girls aged 5–12 about women’s rights and self-worth. She believes that raising awareness from childhood is a critical step towards meaningful change in society.
Currently, Tendry is a medical student. Concerned by the fact that young girls and women are disproportionately affected by climate change, she actively advocates for climate action and its connection to gender equality.
“Every field I have entered, I have noticed that women face discrimination regardless of their education or intelligence. This happens in towns and rural areas alike. The worst part is that women sometimes start to believe this and do not dare to act or achieve their full potential. This motivates me to stand up for girls, to be the voice for those who are afraid to speak, and to encourage them to realise that they can lead change. Girls are capable and have the power to be their best selves and impact their world. Girls can lead change, and they will.”
Ask Tendry about:
- Action on climate change
- Medical consequences of climate change for girls and women
- Action for gender equality and equity
Veronika, Slovenia
SCOUT LEADER | WAGGGS VOLUNTEER AND FACILITATOR | GLOBAL ADVOCACY CHAMPION FOR GENDER EQUALITY | ADVOCATE FOR GIRLS’ RIGHTS
“Everyone has a mother, sister, friend, girlfriend, or daughter for whom they would wish for a better world. It may be hard to feel empathy for unknown women fighting for equality, but when you personalize the issue through a loved one, you can change your perspective and awaken a sense of injustice within yourself. After all, the world is not divided into women’s and men’s realms, but into the world of people - under our skin, we are all the same and deserve an equal voice in a world that listens.”
Veronika is actively involved in Scout education and leadership within her Member Organisation, ZSKSSS. She speaks Slovenian, English, German and Spanish. She facilitates Scout education training sessions and has been part of the leadership team for a nationwide orienteering triathlon competition. She currently leads a Slovenian Scouts project focused on health, consumption, peace and partnerships, training Scout leaders to critically understand global challenges addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals and integrate these topics into Scout education programmes.
She was a WAGGGS Facilitator at the Roverway expedition in Norway and participated in facilitator training in Brussels, Belgium, to enhance her skills in delivering effective and engaging workshops. Together with co-leaders from around the world, she designed and delivered workshops for Rovers on Smart Consumption and Free Being Me. This experience strengthened her work in further international Scout expeditions and multicultural learning environments.
Veronika is currently completing her studies in Special and Rehabilitation Pedagogy. She has worked with children with special needs, including those who are blind, deaf, autistic, or have intellectual disabilities, gaining firsthand insight into how society and policy often fail to adequately support them. She is interested in further studies in art-based therapy and support.
“For me, justice, alongside respect, is one of the most important human qualities. Girls and young women face ridicule and humiliation when seeking justice. They encounter a societal mindset that places them far below their dignity.”
She believes that finding and using one’s voice is both a personal and social responsibility:
“It is difficult not to care about society’s gaze when we must navigate it every day, find our own voice, and then lend it to those who have none.”
As a Global Advocacy Champion, Veronika aims to strengthen voices for gender equality and climate action, reaching even those who may not regularly engage with these issues. She is committed to raising awareness among people from all backgrounds, helping them understand global challenges and showing how small actions can empower those who are otherwise unheard. Her work seeks to inspire responsibility, compassion and engagement, creating a greater collective impact on social justice and sustainability.
Ask Veronika about:
- Action on Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 10, 12, 16, and 17
- Advocating for girls’ and women’s rights
- Marginalised groups and social inclusion
- Education and support for children with special needs
Winnie, Kenya
GLOBAL ADVOCACY CHAMPION | CLIMATE EDUCATOR | SUSTAINABLE FASHION ADVOCATE | YOUTH-LED SOCIAL INNOVATOR
“Growing up in spaces where young people, especially girls, were rarely included in decision-making shaped my belief that advocacy must be accessible, creative, and rooted in lived experience. I believe real change happens when communities are empowered with knowledge, dignity, and the confidence to lead.”
Winnie is a youth advocate from Kenya working across climate action, plastic pollution education, sustainable fashion, and menstrual equity. She centres girls and young women as leaders of environmental and social change. She currently serves on the board of the Kenya Girl Guides Association as Assistant Chief Commissioner.
Winnie has designed and facilitated interactive education programmes on plastic pollution, waste segregation, and circular economy principles in schools and community spaces. Her work prioritises inclusive learning, adapting advocacy tools to reach children from diverse linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds. Through partnerships with schools and community organisations, she champions youth-led climate education that is practical, participatory, and locally relevant.
“Advocacy, for me, is about translating global issues into everyday action so that young people can see themselves as part of the solution, not just the audience.”
Alongside her advocacy work, Winnie leads a sustainable fashion initiative focused on small-batch production, ethical sourcing, and skills training for disadvantaged groups. She integrates climate justice with menstrual health awareness by repurposing textile waste into reusable sanitary products, supporting period dignity initiatives in climate-affected communities.
Having contributed to environmental and advocacy programmes through organisations such as SWaCH (India) and the Sangam World Centre, Winnie brings a strong intersectional lens to her work, linking environmental sustainability, gender equity, and youth empowerment.
“My work is rooted in the belief that when girls are supported, heard, and resourced, they don’t just participate in change, they lead it.”
Whether facilitating workshops, hosting art events, developing advocacy materials, or representing WAGGGS in global spaces, Winnie is committed to building systems that are sustainable, inclusive, and led by young people.
Ask Winnie about:
- Climate education and plastic pollution advocacy
- Youth-led community engagement and inclusive learning
- Sustainable fashion and circular economy initiatives
- Menstrual equity and period dignity in climate-affected communities
- Empowering girls as environmental and social change leaders