In a world where equality and representation are paramount, Girl Up stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment. This girl-centered leadership development program is dedicated to championing equity for girls and women, especially in spaces where their voices often go unnoticed or underrepresented. The fundamental belief that drives Girl Up is the transformative power of girls and women in positions of influence, where they tirelessly work to create a fair and just world for everyone.

Girl Up operates a global network of regional affiliates, spanning across 152 countries and reaching out to a remarkable 200,000 girls. What sets Girl Up apart is its commitment to delivering evidence-based leadership development training through its girl-led Clubs, programs, and events. These platforms provide young girls with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to become influential leaders in their communities and beyond.

As members of this inspiring global movement, these girls become a force for social good. They are not isolated but are part of a dynamic community of their peers who are passionately advocating for policy changes and relentlessly advancing gender justice. The power of collective action, especially when spearheaded by determined young minds, is nothing short of transformative.

Founded in 2010 and hosted by the United Nations Foundation, Girl Up extends an open invitation to girls and youth of all gender identities to join their movement. By starting a Club or participating in their programs, individuals become active contributors to the advancement of gender justice worldwide. Together, they are expanding the skills, rights, and opportunities available to girls, thereby changing the landscape of leadership for generations to come.

Girl Up India: Leading the Way

Girl Up made its debut in India in 2018, and since then, the movement has seen incredible growth. With a vast network of 700+ Clubs, it has solidified its position as the second-largest Girl Up Community globally. Girl Up India’s focus on leadership training and community building has equipped its members with the necessary resources to be champions of social change and forward-looking leaders. Their diverse programming, including STEM for Social Good Bootcamps, Storytelling and Leadership Bootcamps, capacity-building Feminist Meet-ups, and menstrual equity campaigns, has successfully engaged and supported a community of 25,000+ young changemakers.

The impact of Girl Up India’s work has been widely recognized by prominent publications such as Telegraph India, Times of India, and YourStory. A remarkable achievement came in the form of last year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition in the social impact category for the Country-Director, Aditi Arora. This accolade acknowledged her pivotal role in consolidating and strengthening the Girl Up Community in the country.

The Leadership Summit: A Global Celebration of Empowerment

One of Girl Up’s flagship events is the Leadership Summit, hosted globally every year since 2012. For its first eight years, the Summit was a prestigious in-person gathering held in Washington D.C. It has featured leading voices such as Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Priyanka Chopra, Meghan Markle, Malala, and Justin Baldoni, among others.

In recent years, the Summit has transitioned to a virtual platform, making it even more accessible and inclusive. It continues to attract a global audience, with 1,865 participants from 77 countries tuning in to listen to expert and youth voices at the Global Leadership Summit 2023. The impact of the Summit reverberated across social media, registering a remarkable 145K+ views and 298K+ impressions.

With the 2023 Global Summit, Girl Up embarked on its Leadership Summit Regional Tour. This exciting endeavor is bringing in-person Girl Up events to various parts of the world. It began with the USA Leadership Summit in June and, significantly, the India and UK Leadership Summits in October. This move to regional summits reflects the expanding global influence of Girl Up and its mission.

The Girl Up India Leadership Summit 2023 was a day-long event meticulously designed to equip girls and youth with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to become influential leaders in their communities and beyond. The Summit focused on a myriad of critical topics, including sexual reproductive health, rights and justice, storytelling, entrepreneurship, mental health, gender-based violence, disability rights, and STEM. The day was illuminated by engaging panel discussions and fireside chats featuring powerful voices like Andrea Wojnar, Rajshri Deshpande, Leeza Mangaldas, Aanchal Malhotra and Supriya Paul. Moreover, the UN Resident Coordinator for India, Mr. Shombi Sharp, and the incredible actor and producer, Dia Mirza, joined us to honor the exceptional courage of youth who are working to change the face of our common future. Finally, the Summit came to a close with an inspiring address by Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu.

In essence, the Girl Up movement is not just about empowering girls; it is about shaping the future and advancing gender justice. With each Club, program, event, and summit, they are fostering change, one empowered girl at a time. Girl Up stands as a testament to the transformative power of youth and the extraordinary impact they can create on the world stage.