Celebrating 10 Years of Girls Takeover in the Spirit of IDG 2026
22 October 2026
Commemorating International Day of the Girl (IDG) 2026, Plan Indonesia celebrates a decade of the Girls Takeover initiative. Over the past 10 years, hundreds of girls and young women across Indonesia have gained valuable opportunities to step into strategic leadership spaces. Since launching in 2016, they have taken over seven ministerial positions, over 40 key roles across various institutions, and diplomatic positions at embassies to voice their aspirations, ideas, and critical perspectives on issues impacting their lives.
Here is a look back at the journey of Plan Indonesia’s Girls Takeover.
A Day as a Minister
At the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA) in 2017, 21 young leaders assumed roles as Minister, Secretary to the Minister, Deputy, and Assistant Deputy to discuss the prevention of child marriage. They presented key recommendations, including child-friendly social media spaces, as part of their experience as agents of change. perubahan.
Maria (also known as Osin), a young girl from Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara, stepped into the shoes of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs for a day during Girls Takeover 2018. Prior to this, Osin and her peers developed an innovative saltwater-to-freshwater distillation system to combat severe drought caused by climate change in her region.
Fostering Equality and Courageous Leadership
Change is not just about better ways of working; it is about ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. As Minister of Finance during Girls Takeover 2019, Tania highlighted internal reforms, the New Thinking of Working, and the vital importance of gender equality within the Ministry of Finance.
For Wafi, transformation begins with the courage to challenge the status quo. In her role as the Swedish Ambassador to Indonesia for Girls Takeover 2019, she invited leaders and young people to discuss the barriers young women still face while encouraging more of them to step into leadership roles.n.
The Footprints of Young Women’s Leadership in SOEs (BUMN)
The opportunity to lead offered Virdha far more than just experience—it gave her a firsthand look at how public services can become more inclusive. Her experience as the President Director of PT Angkasa Pura I during Girls Takeover 2021 inspired her to bring accessibility and women’s needs to the forefront, marking a small milestone that demonstrates the significance of youth leadership among women.n.
Being trusted with a seat at the leadership table transforms how young people view their own potential. Through Girls Takeover 2021, Sharon had the opportunity to step into the role of Minister of SOEs (BUMN). Sharon not only learned directly from Minister Erick Thohir, but also shared her ideas on mentorship, women’s empowerment, and youth development.
Leading to Advocate for Children’s Rights
Women’s Perspectives for Change
What may seem ordinary to most can feel entirely different when viewed through a woman’s lens. Neisya and Belinda brought this unique perspective during Girls Takeover 2023 with PT MRT Jakarta, connecting it to safety, accessibility, and the importance of comfortable public transportation for all users.
Fresh ideas flourish when young people are given the chance to participate and demonstrate what they can achieve. Through Girls Takeover at PT MRT Jakarta, Neisya embraced her leadership role, voicing aspirations and showing that youth voices have a legitimate place in driving meaningful change.
Equality is not just about who gets to use public transit—it’s about how the needs of every single user are factored into the design. At the Balai Asa MRT Jakarta, Neisya and Belinda observed the behind-the-scenes operations of public transit and brought forward a young woman’s perspective on the necessity of safe and equal access.
Equality is not just about who gets to use public transit, it’s about how the needs of every single user are factored into the design. At the Balai Asa MRT Jakarta, Neisya and Belinda observed the behind-the-scenes operations of public transit and brought forward a young woman’s perspective on the necessity of safe and equal access.tation.
Behind the scenes of public transit, there is space for women to step up and shape the future. Through Girls Takeover 2023, Neisya Kirana and Belinda Amelia Leonardo took over leadership roles at PT MRT Jakarta to champion equal opportunities for women, including in STEM fields and public transportation.
Every leadership journey begins with the courage to explore, learn, and take that initial step. During Girls Takeover 2023, Neisya and Belinda got an insider’s view of the professional environment at PT MRT Jakarta, deepening their understanding of the roles and responsibilities they assumed.
Taking Over the Diplomacy Desk
A single opportunity can reshape how young people view decision-making and real-world impact. Through Girls Takeover 2024, Maylyn, Vid, Vania, and Chilly dove into the worlds of diplomacy, international cooperation, and gender equality—gaining first-hand learning experience while bringing fresh perspectives to leadership spaces.
One experience can open up a brand-new outlook for girls regarding how leadership functions in diplomacy. Through Girls Takeover 2024 at the Embassy of Canada to Indonesia and Timor-Leste and the Canadian Mission to ASEAN, Chloe A, Chloe M, Farida, Amira, and Anindila participated directly in high-level leadership agendas. This gave them the space to learn from diplomats, articulate their viewpoints, and see that girls belong in shaping national and global decisions.
Diplomacy is built not only through international relations, but also through diverse perspectives and youth engagement on issues close to their lives. In Girls Takeover 2025, Ayya and Queena stepped into the roles of Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy to Indonesia, exploring the diplomatic landscape while discussing culture, education, and the essential value of diverse perspectives in leadership.
The 10-year milestone celebration at IDG 2026 reinforces that girls possess immense potential to lead and drive decision-making when provided with equal opportunities. The experiences of Girls Takeover alumni stand as powerful evidence of the need to embed young women’s perspectives into national development. Plan Indonesia remains firmly committed to opening more leadership pathways, breaking down systemic barriers, and ensuring that the voices of girls are always heard at policy-making tables.
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