Bangkok, 25 October 2021 – Plan International Asia Pacific, along with the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Girls (ACWC) and ASEAN Secretariat, held the First Regional Girls’ Takeover in ASEAN on 21 October. The online event is a joint celebration of the International Day of the Girl (IDG).
“Truth and accurate information are fundamental to girls’ voice, choice, and power against gender equality and social inclusion,” said Krista Zimmerman, Director of Influencing and Programs, Plan International Asia Pacific.
Girls Takeover is a symbolic turnover of position and authority of leaders of various institutions to girl advocates in recognition of girls’ right to participation and their ability to take on leadership roles. Plan International has led the takeover annually as part of the annual IDG celebration but it was a first for the region.
“ASEAN ensures that gender equality is mainstreamed in various initiatives for women and girls’ active participation in our recovery and resilience-building process. ASEAN recognizes women and girls as active agents and catalyst for change and transformation, not as mere recipients of services. In the face of the challenges, setbacks and uncertainties in this time of crisis, ASEAN will forge ahead in progressing meaningful and impactful initiatives towards realizing an inclusive, people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN with girls’ voice, choice and power during and beyond COVID-19,” said Ekkaphab Phanthavong, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
In his remarks, Dato Junaidi Abd. Rahman, Chair and ACWC Representative on Children’s Rights for Brunei Darussalam, expressed that “Today, we are encouraged by the first ever regional call of action #Girls Takeover, to tear down barriers, of discrimination and prejudice that continue to hold girls back. Through the #GirlsTakeover, girls are given the opportunity to raise their voice and demonstrate their capacity to take on leadership roles in all settings. The ACWC, together with key partners, stakeholders and the ASEAN Secretariat, we remain committed to join hands in making sure that the efforts in advancing women’s rights and children’s rights will continue to be our priority during and beyond COVID-19.”
Christine Abigail Tolentino, a participant from the Philippines, also gave her remarks as she took over the role of Zimmerman at Plan International APAC. “Change does not happen overnight. This first regional girls’ takeover is a historic step for girls’ empowerment. It sends a strong message to girls that our rights are being promoted by our leaders in ASEAN, our leadership abilities are recognized, and our needs for empowerment are supported,” said Tolentino.
The event was also the regional launch of Plan International’s Reports, “The Truth Gap: The State of the World’s Girls Report 2021”, and “Voice, Choice, and Power: the 2021 Asia Pacific Girls Report.” Truth Gap highlighted the impact of digital misinformation and disinformation on girls, and their calls to action which include systematic digital literacy and instituting mechanisms to monitor and investigate misinformation online. Voice, Choice, and Power, on the other hand, put a spotlight on the successes and challenges of girl activists in their fight for gender equality and inclusion.
Joseline P. Niwane, Chair and SOMSWD Focal Point for Philippines responded to the findings of the State of the World’s Girls Reports 2021 by informing the participants of the SOMSWD’s plans of action and policies on protection of children and girls on and offline.
Yanti Kusumawardhani, Representative on Children’s Rights for Indonesia to the ACWC, gave a comprehensive response to the State of the World’s Girls Report 2021 by sharing ACWC’s efforts on promoting the rights of girls and called on sustained national and regional efforts to ensure a safe and empowering digital environment for children and girls. She also took part in the takeover and allowed Putri Naila, an Indonesian youth activist, to take over her role as ACWC Representative.
“We shall find ways to meaningfully engage girls and young women in discussions on regulation, standards and policies, ensuring that their experiences and views are reflected. In coordination with different sectors, we will work on pursuing investigation of issues of misinformation and disinformation and the impact it has on individuals’ human rights,” said Naila as she assumed the ACWC Representative role.
Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Indonesia’s representative to AICHR and Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights and a founding member of the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum expressed their support to girls’ rights and shared related on-going initiatives. Commissioner Dumpit also symbolically handed over her role to Lourença Letizia Ximenes Pereira, a girl activist from Timor Leste.
“We shall work closely with relevant ASEAN regional bodies and national human rights institutions to ensure that there are national mechanisms that added to women and girl activists needs,” said Pereira in her speech when she took over the SEANF membership role.
The participation of Tien Nguyen, a girl activist from Vietnam as moderator in the panel discussions, together with Rasa Sekulovic, Regional Head of Child Protection and Partnerships of Plan International Asia Pacific, demonstrated girls’ capacities to lead regional discourse on girls’ empowerment as Tien emphasized the need for multisectoral cooperation for girls’ empowerment.
Further, Ana Maria Locsin, Country Director of Plan International, noted in her closing remarks, “We cannot achieve our goals in ASEAN unless there is gender equality. Girls are an important sector that we need to engage and empower if we want a truly progressive ASEAN. It is inspiring to hear girls today challenging us to build an inclusive and gender transformative community.”
There were almost a hundred participants in the online celebration from ASEAN Regional bodies, national government institutions, civil society organizations, youth groups, among others.
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For more information, contact:
Pham Trang Nhung (She/her)
Media Coordinator
Plan International Asia and the Pacific Regional Hub
