Young people, in particular girls in all their diversity, have the right to participate in decision making.
This means having meaningful engagement with power holders in the formal spaces of power where decisions are being made about girls and their lives, from local government to the United Nations.
But access to these spaces has not always been possible. Access to power has historically been exclusionary, to women, young people and marginalised groups especially.
Facilitating young people’s access to these spaces and ensuring that their participation is meaningful - that their voice has value and is listened to and acted upon – requires a redistribution of power.
COVID-19 AND THE SHATTERING OF POWER STRUCTURES
COVID-19 has directly impacted how power manifests and how it is accessed. Many powerful organisations are turning to digital engagement formats such as webinars, online meetings and social media to carry out their work.