Adolescent Girls’ Open Letter to World Leaders

As the Generation Equality processes and Forums celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, there has been concerted attention made to the need to engage new generations in the fight for gender equality. But young people have often found themselves excluded from fully participating in policy decision-making. This Open Letter, authored by 16 adolescent girls from around the world and with input from many other girl advocates and activists, calls on world leaders to directly address adolescent girls’ unique experiences when designing policies to meet their needs. It includes specific recommendations on the provision of educational and health resources, digital connectivity, governmental transparency, and beyond—centered on ensuring girls can access their rights and full potential.