A Glimpse into Girls' Lives Across the Globe: 30 Years of Change
Evolution of Adolescent Girlhood: Yesteryears Versus Present Day
It all started in 1995 when Earth's nations agreed to protect the rights of young girls.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a far-reaching policy blueprint promoting gender equality, had the backing of 189 governments worldwide.
But has anything really changed for 15-year-old girls over the past 3 decades? Here's what us, their female contemporaries, mothers, grandmothers, and mentors, have to say from our corners of the world:
Just a quick note: Some names have been changed to protect privacy.
Laala in Afghanistan
Laala, a vibrant student in Grade 8, faced the harsh reality of the Taliban banning girls from schools in Afghanistan.
"I was doing great at school," she shares. "I could've been heading to university. Now, I'm just stuck at home with no joy. My days are consumed by household chores. There's no time for friendship, laughter."
Her mother, Gulchehra, recalls the Taliban's first strike in 1996. School curtains closed for her too, leading her to early marriage at 14. She fears a similar fate for Laala.
"Back when I was 15, something magical happened for young girls like Laala," Gulchehra says. "There were potential opportunities in English and computer classes, visits to the park and gym. The freedom to dream and explore. That's all taken away now."
Laala cherishes the memories of freedom, dreaming of a day when she can return to school and resume her dreams.
Maria in Brazil
"What teenage girls are missing today," declares 15-year-old Maria, "are influencers who can stand for them in crucial places - politics and schools."
Equal access to quality education remains a gap, Maria notes. "There are countless children still out of school. Sometimes, there's a lack of teachers or the quality of education isn't up to par."
Maria's mother, Elivânia, shares her struggles. "As a child, I walked miles to school and had to settle for whoever could teach us. I didn't have the chance to pursue medical studies."
Today, Elivânia holds multiple degrees while pursuing her master's and even considering a doctorate. "Opportunities may have expanded," she admits, "but they still haven't reached everyone."
Her daughter aspires for equal possibilities for all, stressing on empathy and understanding for everyone's journey.
Cecilia in Guatemala
"If only we had a secondary school in our community," sighs Cecilia, a 15-year-old from La Pista Nebaj, Quiché, Guatemala. "The only school we have only goes up to sixth grade, leaving me to quit my education."
Cecilia works as a domestic helper and tailor, dreaming of becoming an artisan specializing in traditional huipiles.
Her mother, Juana Brito, dreams big for her daughter. "When I was 15, I too faced the same limitations. I got married young, just like my daughter does not want to. I'm working every moment to convince her she deserves more."
"Determination is essential in us," adds Cecilia's grandmother, Juana Corio. "Resilience helps us push through our everyday struggles."
Soraya in Madagascar
Louisette, Soraya's mother, left school early to sell goods in Madagascar.
"Soraya and I have a few things in common," Louisette says. "We both pursued education, helping out with household chores. I balance my time between earnings and family care."
For Soraya, education holds the key to her future. "I aspire to excel in my studies and travel abroad, hopefully to become a nurse, doctor or accountant."
Marina in Moldova
Growing up with special educational needs, 15-year-old Marina of Moldova faces challenges similar to her mother, Raisa.
"The pressure to conform to social norms and beauty standards negatively impacts girls," Marina says. "I focus on what genuinely makes me happy rather than being swayed by others."
Jovensha in Papua New Guinea
Barbie, Jovensha's mother, remembers facing an education bias in Papua New Guinea.
"My parents favored my brothers," Barbie confesses. "I had to forgo my education, a decision I now regret. But times are changing, which I've witnessed as my daughter receives equal opportunities."
Today, Jovensha goes to school, hoping to work as an engineer in the gold mine industry when she grows up.
Nadiya in Ukraine
Three generations of women in Ukraine discuss their experiences.
"Our teenage years were simpler and less challenging," states Olena, Nadiya's mother. "We had more face-to-face interactions, less pressure, and more freedom."
"Every child's experience at fifteen is special in its own way," adds Tetiana, Nadiya's grandmother. "In my days, we had no electricity, but today's teenagers are more open-minded and exposed to the world."
"I grew up with the internet's influence," shares Nadiya. "At first, the ideal images of women seemed perfect, but I've learned that perfection is subjective. The key is to appreciate oneself."
- UNICEF's programs for adolescent girls aim to ensure equal opportunities and freedom from restrictions, similar to the experiences recounted by Laala in Afghanistan, as she longs to return to school and resume her dreams.
- In Brazil, Maria advocates for influential figures who can champion the rights of adolescent girls, reflecting the need for equal representation in key decision-making spheres as outlined in the Beijing Declaration.
- In line with the spirit of the Beijing Declaration, Cecilia in Guatemala aspires for better educational facilities, echoing the dreams of her mother, Juana Brito, who wishes for her daughter to transcend the limitations faced by herself and other adolescent girls.
