12 Young Women Become Global Leaders for a Day in Girls Takeover 2025

Jakarta, 2 October 2025 – To commemorate the International Day of the Girl on 11 October 2025, Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) held Girls Takeover 2025 in collaboration with the Embassy of Canada to Indonesia and Timor Leste, the Mission of Canada to ASEAN, the Embassy of Norway, the Embassy of Sweden, the Embassy of Australia, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UN Women Indonesia.

A total of 12 young women aged 15–21 assumed key leadership roles at the seven institutions for one day. They experienced firsthand what it means to lead as ambassadors, heads of missions, managers, and program leaders, while voicing their aspirations and ideas on critical social issues such as education, health, employment, and gender equality that directly affect young people, especially girls.

“Since Girls Takeover started in 2016, hundreds of young women from across Indonesia have proven their ability to step forward as leaders who inspire and drive sustainable social change. Women’s leadership is the key to building a more equal future. Through Girls Takeover, we call on institutions and decision-makers to open wider opportunities for girls to participate in shaping important policies,” said Dini Widiastuti, Executive Director of Plan Indonesia.

During Girls Takeover, the participants led meetings, chaired program discussions, delivered speeches, and attended high-level events at international institutions. Beyond leading, they also gained hands-on learning experiences in diplomacy, development, gender equality, and social inclusion.

Diplomatic partners and international institutions involved in Girls Takeover also emphasized the importance of opening leadership spaces for young women.

Jess Dutton, Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia and Timor Leste, affirmed that gender equality is a core principle of Canada’s international cooperation. “Canada believes that gender equality is the foundation of inclusive and sustainable societies. Through Girls Takeover, we want to demonstrate that young women have vital leadership capacity to address global challenges, from diplomacy to climate action.”

Echoing this, Ambra Dickie, Ambassador of Canada to ASEAN, stressed the significance of young women’s participation in regional diplomacy. “Young people, especially girls, are powerful agents of change. Girls Takeover provides them with real opportunities to engage in decision-making processes and regional diplomacy. This initiative aligns with Canada’s commitment to support women’s leadership in ASEAN.”

Support also came from European partners. Rut Krüger Giverin, Ambassador of Norway to Indonesia, stated “Norway is committed to supporting gender equality in all fields, including diplomacy and sustainable development. Girls Takeover shows how providing space for young women can amplify the voices of a new generation of future leaders.”

Similarly, Daniel Blockert, Ambassador of Sweden to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and ASEAN, added “Sweden’s Government ensures that a gender equality perspective is brought into policymaking on a broad front, both nationally and internationally. Girls Takeover demonstrates that when young women are given opportunities, they not only contribute but also inspire us all to build a more equal and just world.”

From the Indo-Pacific region, Rod Brazier, Ambassador of Australia to Indonesia, highlighted the contribution of young women’s perspectives to addressing global issues. “Australia is committed to build a more inclusive society. Young women bring fresh perspectives and ideas that are vital to advancing gender equality, inclusivity, and youth empowerment. Through Girls Takeover, we are proud to open doors for them to experience leadership in action.”

Hassan Mohtashami, UNFPA Indonesia Representative, remarked: “Girls Takeover aligns with UNFPA’s mission to strengthen adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, to advance gender equality, and to ensure young people achieve their full potential. Engaging young women in leadership positions is an investment in a healthier, fairer, and more empowered future.”

Ulziisuren Jamsran, UN Women Indonesia Representative and Liaison ASEAN, commended the Girls Takeover initiative and underscored the transformative power of girls’ leadership. “Girls have the knowledge, agency, and vision to reshape the future they want. Let us ensure an enabling environment where girls’ leadership can thrive and their voices are heard.”

To close the series of Girls Takeover events, 30 girls and young women, including the 12 main participants and 8 mentors, joined Mentoring Circles, Intergenerational Dialogues, and a Farewell & Closing Session hosted at the Official Residence of the Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia and Timor Leste. The closing marked a moment of reflection, appreciation, and leadership skill-building, while affirming a shared commitment to continue advancing gender equality in line with the International Day of the Girl.

The 28 selected participants are members of the Plan Indonesia Youth Network (PlaNet), a youth network of over 3,000 young people who connect, share aspirations, and actively contribute to inclusive development programs and social campaigns.

Chloe (18), who took over the role of Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia and Timor Leste, shared “Spending a day as an ambassador made me realize that women’s leadership is something we must achieve together. Girls have voices, courage, and fresh ideas to create a more equal world. It’s time decision-making spaces open wide for women.”

About Girls Takeover

Girls Takeover is part of Plan International’s annual global campaign aimed at opening access for young women to experience real leadership opportunities. In Indonesia, this initiative has engaged 7 ministers and more than 40 strategic positions, secured 200 commitments from leaders to support young women’s leadership, directly reached over 9,000 girls across the country, and reached more than 12 million people both online and offline since 2016.

About Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia)

Since 1969, Plan International has operated in Indonesia; in 2017, it changed its name to the Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia). We seek to advance girls’ equality and realize children’s rights. We also work with young people to enable meaningful engagement in life decisions. Plan Indonesia, a subsidiary of Plan International Inc., runs a major child sponsorship program. In East Nusa Tenggara, Plan Indonesia has fostered 32,000 boys and girls with five pledges to uphold their fundamental rights: the right to birth certificates, essential vaccinations, clean water, sanitation, and cleanliness, as well as education. Plan Indonesia operates in eight provinces through programs with the main goal to build a Healthy, Educated, Empowered, Safe and Resilient Generation. These initiatives seek to strengthen the ability of social movements to engage and focus on 3 million girls to have equal representation, equal power, and equal freedom. For further details: plan-international.or.id