Twenty Girls Takeover the Leadership Roles at Embassy of Canada to Indonesia and the Mission of Canada to the ASEAN on International Day of the Girl Child
18 October 2024
JAKARTA – In celebration of International Day of the Girl Child, the Embassy of Canada to Indonesia and the Mission of Canada to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) jointly hosted today a “Girls Takeover” event, in collaboration with Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) and the Plan Youth Network (PlaNet). The event featured 20 high school and university students aged 15-21, who are part of PlaNet.
Girls Takeover is a global campaign that Plan International holds every year. The event provides an opportunity for participants to share insights, experiences and advice with the objective of offering young women an occasion to experience different leadership roles within society.
Four young aspiring women, namely Maylyn, Vid, Vania and Chilly, experienced what it is like to be an ambassador or manager within a Canadian mission abroad for one day as part of the campaign. The positions include the Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia and Timor Leste, the Ambassador of Canada to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation to Indonesia, and the Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation to Indonesia.
Aside from that, 16 other girls of PlaNet Members also joined Girls Takeover campaign at the Embassy. They all had valuable experiences to learn from the Canadian Embassy staff on issues like diversity, equity, inclusion, and climate change through intergenerational dialogue and a speed mentoring session.
In Indonesia, Girls Takeover initiative has involved 7 ministers, more than 40 strategic positions and secured 200 commitments from leaders to support girls’ leadership and youth activism. Around 9000 Indonesian girls have participated in this campaign and Plan Indonesia also reached 12 million people online and offline through Girls Takeover campaign since 2016.
Quotes
“To mark the International Day of the Girl Child, Canada is honoured to co-host Girls Takeover with Plan Indonesia. It is an opportunity to celebrate the aspirations, potential, and contributions of girls everywhere. We are proud to put gender equality at the forefront of our engagement because we know that when we invest in empowering women and girls, we uplift families, communities, and entire societies.”
H.E. Jess Dutton, Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia
“Gender equality is a shared priority for Canada and ASEAN, as demonstrated through the ASEAN Community’s vision for a more inclusive and resilient region. Gender equality cuts across all aspects of life – whether ensuring women and girls access to education, economic empowerment, or meaningfully contributing to peace and security. In honour of the International Day of the Girl Child, we celebrate the collective efforts and passion that drive gender equality forward. We are proud that the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership will support an inclusive Southeast Asia.”
H.E. Vicky Singmin, Ambassador of Canada to ASEAN
“We want to learn from Canada’s commitment in making gender equality a priority, both at home and in its foreign policy. With 15% of its bilateral international aid advancing gender equality, Canada sets a strong example. We hope to collaborate further and call on leaders to join us in urging decision-makers to promote concrete initiatives that empower girls’ leadership, especially in development.”
Dini Widiastuti, Executive Director of Plan Indonesia
“As girls, we must have the courage to take on leadership roles. When girls are in decision-making positions, we bring inclusive and fair perspectives. I urge leaders to create platforms that empower girls and young women to participate in all stages of policy development, from planning to evaluation.”
Maylyn (16 years old)
