EP - European Week of Action for Girls Event
European Week of Action for Girls 2024
Background
The European Week of Action for Girls (EWAG) is a significant initiative led by a coalition of eight Brussels-based civil society organisations. Its aim is to ensure that the voices and aspirations of girls worldwide are heard within EU institutions. This event takes place in conjunction with the International Day of the Girl Child and focuses on advocating for girls' rights as a central priority in the EU's external actions.
Event Overview
Date: 14th - 18th October 2024
Seventeen young activists from Africa, Asia, and Europe will gather in Brussels to engage with EU policymakers. Under the theme "EU4Girls", the event will reflect on the EU’s achievements in advancing girls' rights over the last parliamentary term and call for renewed commitments. This year’s focus will be on the European Parliament’s role in shaping external actions to promote gender equality globally.
Key Public Event at the European Parliament
EWAG will host a public event bringing together newly elected MEPs and youth advocates to discuss how the EU can strengthen its support for girls' rights. The discussion will contribute to shaping the EU's future external policy agenda, building on successes such as the Gender Action Plan III and the Youth Action Plan.
Event Details
- Who: Organised by the EWAG coalition in partnership with the political groups of The Left, S&D, Renew Europe, and Greens/EFA.
- When: 14th - 18th October 2024
- Where: European Parliament, Brussels
- What: A week of advocacy, discussions, and exchanges on girls' rights with EU policymakers.
Agenda
15:00 Welcome and introduction
15:05 Session 1 - "Building Futures: Girls' Rights and Global Responsibility"
Speakers: Cecilia (Spain), Moses (Kenya), Emma (France, UK, Burkina Faso)
MEPs reactions: Robert Biedroń (S&D, DEVE Vice Chair), Carla Tavares (S&D), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Melissa Camara (Greens/EFA), Hanna Gedin (The Left)
15:30 Q&A Session
15:40 Icebreaker - "Common Ground", facilitated by Hawi (EWAG advocate, Ethiopia)
15:50 Session 2 - "Voices of Change: Girls as Leaders in Policy and Action"
Speakers: Heart (Philippines), Viktoria (Bulgaria), Aurora (Norway)
MEPs reactions: Leire Pajin (S&D), Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew), Isabella Lövin (Greens/EFA), Kathleen Funchion (The Left)
16:15 European Commission intervention by Chiara Adamo (Head of Unit, Gender Equality, DG INTPA)
16:20 Q&A Session
16:30 Closing remarks by Donya (EWAG advocate, Belgium)
16:35 Group photo
16:40 Refreshments and informal networking
Profiles of EWAG young advocates
These are the profiles of the youth that will intervene during the event. The full list of 2024 EWAG young advocates and their bio can be found here.
Cecilia, 27, Spain
Cecilia is a passionate advocate for feminist security with a solid academic background and extensive international experience. She holds a Master's degree in Security, Intelligence, and Strategic Studies, and is currently pursuing another in Gender and Intersectionality. Her career includes roles at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Institute of International Relations in Prague, and the European Commission. Currently, she works remotely for the UN Women Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean.
Hawi Girma, 27, Ethiopia
Hawi is an experienced peer educator in Ethiopia's industrial parks, collaborating with DSW Ethiopia to improve the lives of garment workers. With a strong belief in prioritizing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for workers, she has dedicated herself to training others and empowering individuals with the tools to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Heart, 17, Philippines
Heart is a 17-year-old from the Philippines and a member of the Children's Advisory Team at Save the Children Philippines. She serves as a City Child Representative of General Santos City and is actively involved in community and school activities, such as a radio program addressing anti-online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, and a Responsible Adolescence Symposium. With 11 dogs at home, Heart considers herself a simple girl with a resilient spirit, constantly pushing herself to overcome obstacles and work towards her goal of becoming a doctor specializing in kidney diseases.
Since childhood, Heart has aimed to make a positive difference in others' lives. Her involvement in causes related to children's welfare has helped her grow personally and built her resilience during hardships. Witnessing the transformative power of amplifying voices and collective action has made her even more determined to contribute to meaningful change on a larger scale.
Viktoria, 22, Bulgaria
Viktoria Nikolova is a senior at the American University in Bulgaria, majoring in Political Science and International Relations, and Journalism and Mass Communication. She is minoring in European Studies and Film and Theater Studies. An activist and board member of the Bulgarian Family Planning Association, she passionately defends human rights, especially sexual and reproductive health rights. She has advocated before the European Parliament and the Albanian Parliament.
Viktoria is the co-creator of the platform "One Click Away," which provides free mental healthcare consultations and consultations regarding sexual and reproductive health. She is part of the Lobbying and Advocacy Taskforce within YSAFE, the youth network of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and works as a Junior Media Analyst at Commetric.
Aurora, 18, Norway
Aurora is a high school senior planning to study politics, international relations, or anthropology. At age 14, she published an opinion piece in one of Norway's largest newspapers on sexual harassment and the need for comprehensive sexual education, sparking a deep passion for women's rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). By 15, Aurora became a youth ambassador for Plan International Norway's campaign against child marriage and joined their Youth Advisory Panel as a junior advisor on SRHR and political coordinator.
Aurora's mission is to ensure that every girl has the right to a dignified education, autonomy over their lives, and inclusion in decision-making processes, particularly for marginalized groups in SRHR contexts. Through advocacy, including participation in this year's EWAG, she continues to fight for dismantling harmful gender norms on a global scale.
Donya, 24, Belgium
Donya is a Belgian youth activist with Iranian roots and has served as a Youth Ambassador for the ONE Campaign for over one and a half years. She is completing her Master's in International Relations and a Master's in Conflict & Development Studies. Guided by passion and deep empathy, she has worked with several non-profits and student departments like Equal Opportunities.
Donya's experience spans organizations focused on human rights, international solidarity, and a knowledge and advisory center on sexual misconduct. Her ambition is to safeguard bodily autonomy, ensuring every girl and woman has the freedom to make empowered decisions about their own lives. Passionate about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), she advocates for the intersectionality between SRHR and human rights.
Emma, 30, France/UK/Burkina Faso
Emma holds nationalities from France, the United Kingdom, and Burkina Faso. Currently based in Brussels, she is a Youth Ambassador for the ONE Campaign and has worked in health, education, and gender equality policies. She has actively volunteered for local organizations and the Red.
Staff