How is girls’ activism perceived by the girls themselves?

• In Event: How does girl-led action impact learning outcomes and transitions in a conflict-affected context?

Proposal

This session will discuss girls’ perspectives on the shifts they have experienced, individually and collectively, after engaging in platforms for girl-led action. In a qualitative study, girls have associated the participation in activism to individual-level gains, including enhanced voice and self-confidence; shifts in family perceptions of their abilities; and becoming a role model for younger siblings (Author, 2023). Girls’ narratives also indicated that the participation in girls’ activism is strengthening social cohesion, building a sense of interconnectedness with others, and expanding social networks, with particular for girls with disabilities and those from minority groups (ibid). In this session, the panelist will also share narratives from participants from Girls’ Empowerment Forums on their perceptions of how programming in Somalia could continue facilitate girls’ and youth activism – including current gaps and emerging opportunities.

Author

• Joy Khangáti, CARE International USA