The Girls Advisory Council
The Girls Advisory Council ensures that girls’ ideas, priorities, and voices shape every aspect of our work — from programming and advocacy to communications and governance. Council members help guide Girl Rising’s strategy, collaborate closely with staff, and bring the perspectives of girls from their communities into key organisational decisions. The Council is conducted in English and Spanish. Two members also serve as representatives on our Board of Directors, ensuring youth leadership is present at the highest level.
The Council represents girls* (ages 14–22) from the diverse communities we serve. Members:
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work alongside staff, board members, and fellow students to ensure our programmes and storytelling reflect the strengths, needs, and realities of girls everywhere
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serve as ambassadors for Girl Rising through campaigns, advocacy, and events
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benefit from leadership training, global networking, and opportunities to speak at major international convenings
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build skills, confidence, and connections as they help shape a more equitable future for girls worldwide.
*gender-nonconforming, genderfluid, transfeminine experiences included.
Meet the 2026 Council
Abigail
Nigeria
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Girl Power means being empowered to lead in order to make a difference, and I’m excited to help make that impact with this incredible opportunity
Allyson
Peru
Allyson joined the council because she's passionate about bridging education gaps and showing girls that no dream is impossible. An Economics student who loves cultures, she aims to shape policies that create equal opportunities worldwide.
Ariadna
Chile
Ariadna joined the council because she hopes to connect with girls from all over the world and together contribute to the Girl Rising mission. She is a gender justice and youth participation activist and a Girl Activist Fellowship 2024-2025 alumna.
Binta
Gambia
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Girl power means embracing strength, independence, and the confidence to break barriers while supporting each other.
Doreen
Tanzania
Doreen joined the council because she cares deeply about girls’ health, education, and rights. I am a university student focusing on nutrition and child development, and she is especially passionate about supporting girls’ wellbeing and helping their voices be heard.
Eva
Republic of Moldova
Eva joined the council because she's passionate about helping others and standing up for justice and equal rights. She's motivated to use her voice to create positive change in her community and beyond.
Fatimah
USA
Fatimah joined the council because she's deeply committed to advancing girls’ education, leadership, and access to opportunity. She is a student and youth organiser with interests in education equity, speech and language development, and global advocacy. Fatimah is passionate about uplifting young women’s voices and creating systems where girls can thrive.
Grace
Burkina Faso
Grace joined the council because she wants to change the narratives that limit girls ' ambitions and access to quality education. She wants the girls from her community to dare to dream big and have the necessary resources to achieve it.
Isla
USA
Isla joined the council because she strives to make a change worldwide to support women for years to come.
Joan Muringi
Kenya
Joan appreciates being in a room where her voice matters. She joined the Girls' Advisory Council to use her voice intentionally to contribute to conversations around girls' education, rights, and safety.
Mahi
USA
Mahi has been involved with She's the First/Girl Rising since she was 13. She’s dedicated to empowering the girls and women in her community through education and advocacy. Mahi is currently studying Bioinformatics at the University of Arizona!
Mary
Kenya
We are so happy to have Mary as part of Girl Rising.
Mercy
Kenya
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Girl Power means empowering girls and women to be strong, independent, and confident in pursuing their dreams.
Miss Mushipi
Zambia
Miss Mushipi joined the council because she wants to see positive change in the world where equality is concerned and to be the voice for the voiceless. Bachelor of Laws (LLB). She loves reading and playing sports.
Ornella
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ornella is an emerging construction engineer driven to design sustainable infrastructure that transforms underserved communities. With a passion for leadership, technology, and girls’ empowerment, I am committed to breaking barriers in STEM and using my voice and skills to advance meaningful, long-lasting change.
Rabia
Pakistan
Rabia joined the council because she's passionate about girls’ education, youth leadership, and creating equal opportunities for all. She is the founder of the League of Youth Network, and hopes to build a career in business and eventually work with international organisations like the UN.
Robina
Germany
Robina, an education and girls' rights activist from Afghanistan, is the founder of Girls on the Path of Change (GPC), a network empowering girls through online education, mentorship, and creative workshops. After losing her chance to study when the Taliban returned in 2021, she dedicated herself to advocating for girls’ education. Her work has earned her the Diana Award and recognition as one of the Movers of Tomorrow 2025
Savera
New Zealand
Savera joined the council because she's passionate about empowering girls and shaping impactful advocacy programs. As founder and CEO of Bright Start, she promotes youth wellbeing and resilience, while her experience in karate, leadership, and community service fuels her ambition to become a lawyer.
Star
Uganda
Star joined the council because she'd like to empower the girl child
Tina
USA
Tina joined the council to advocate for girls’ rights and contribute to Girl Rising’s programming and policy. She is excited to gain mentorship, speaking opportunities, and visibility while shaping impactful initiatives. Tina hopes to apply these experiences toward a future career in social justice and public health communications, creating content that drives awareness and change!
Tracy
Uganda
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Girl Power is the collective energy to drive change. It’s the great efforts put together as girls and young women to solve their issues by identifying them, laying strategies to solve them, and by all means solve them.
Yamilah
South Africa
Yamila joined the council because she believes that girlhood is a profound act of hope, courage, and reclamation. A multi-passionate law student, women’s health and reproductive support worker, and dedicated athlete, she is driven by the mission to help build a world in which every girl has access to the knowledge, care, and agency that are their birthright.
Across all her work, Yamilah is grounded in creativity, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to honouring our shared humanity above all else.
Alayna
Sweden
Alayna joined the council because she's passionate about making the world a better place and advocating for young people’s rights, especially young girls’ participation in decision-making spaces. She has been involved in initiatives ranging from criminal justice policy writing to youth activism and hopes to create meaningful change, even in small steps. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching sitcoms, and working on coding projects.
Amy
Canada
Amy joined the council because she's committed to advancing girls’ education, health equity, and advocacy in ways that reflect She’s the First’s mission to ensure every girl is educated, respected, and heard. Her passion for women’s health, accessible education, and supporting immigrant women motivates her to help create spaces where girls can make informed choices about their futures.
Athodonun
Nigeria
We are so happy to have Athodonun as part of Girl Rising.
Byssan
Morocco
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Girl Power is the unapologetic belief in our limitless potential to rise, inspire, and shape a world that transcends boundaries, all without fear
Eman
Pakistan
Eman joined the council because she has firsthandly seen how women have been treated across the globe, having lived in 5 different countries. She has overcome her own eating disorder and wants to help other girls struggling with their image and identity.
Evas
Rwanda
We are so happy to have Evas as part of Girl Rising.
Fatma
Tunisia
Fatma joined the council because she wants to uplift and inspire girls and create meaningful opportunities for everybody
Gulina
Kyrgyzstan
Gulina likes studying, learning new languages, and dancing.
Izwirashe
Zimbabwe
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Girl power means the ability to bring change and healing to the World
Lara
USA
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Girl Power is the collective autonomy in all girls steering their lives and choosing their self-expression, based only on one thing— whatever fulfils them.
Makayvia
Trinidad and Tobago
Makayvia joined the council because she believes every girl deserves the chance to dream boldly and succeed. She enjoys science, crochet, and design, and hopes to pursue a future in technology and advocacy.
Mashiya
Bangladesh
Mashiya joined the Council because, as a girl, she knows how hard it is for girls to even know about our rights. If she can overcome any obstacle, you can too.
Mikaede
Philippines
Mikaede joined the council to advocate for young women to continue their studies, knowing firsthand how life-changing education can be. As the first in her family to attend college, she fell in love with marketing because it gives her a way to help others’ voices be heard, and their stories matter. Her vision is to create campaigns that not only inspire action but also open doors.
Nidhi
USA
Nidhi joined the council because of her passion for female empowerment and youth advocacy. She enjoys writing, reading, and learning about women’s rights. She is excited to be a part of such an amazing organisation, and for where it can take her.
Poni
South Sudan
Girl Power is a slogan, a social and political movement which encourages women and girls to be independent, strong, and confident
Raissa
Cameroon
Raissa joined the council because she's dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for girls to speak out against sexual violence and advocate for systemic change. She also wants to inspire more girls to pursue careers in STEM.
Sambida
Nepal
Sambida joined the council because she believes that when girls are heard early, societies heal faster. An aspiring lawyer with experience in legal research, advocacy, diplomacy, and leadership, she works to amplify girls’ voices and advance community-rooted, girl-centred solutions. Known for her positive charisma and bubbly energy, she is an avid foodie. You will often find her cooking, baking, or exploring new cafés and cuisines.
Sonam
Nepal
We are so happy to have Sonam as part of Girl Rising.
Sunio Marj
Philippines
Sunio Marj joined the council because she's passionate and dedicated to uplifting girls' voices
To Nhu
Vietnam
To Nhu joined the council because she wants to raise public awareness of gender equality, diversity, and marginalised communities
Vanessa
Ghana
Vanessa joined the council to help shape global programs that uplift and expand opportunities for girls. As the founder of a girls’ mentorship nonprofit, she hopes to bring her experience into Girl Rising’s strategic work. She is passionate about education, gender equality, and youth leadership.
Zainab
India
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Zainab works across policy, philanthropy, and communications, specialising in climate justice and gender equity. Her focus is on designing campaigns, events, partnerships, and narratives that close the gender gap, connect stakeholders, and drive action. Zainab bridges multilateral spaces like UN COPs and G20 with grassroots initiatives, ensuring strategies are both actionable and inclusive.
Allison
Malaysia
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Girl Power is knowing that, as a girl, I will consistently offer support and uplift other girls, just as they do for me!
Anoushka
India
Anoushka joined the council because she saw the way women were treated in her community and wanted to make a difference. She likes to read, write, and play the guitar. Whenever she isn’t busy listening to music, she can be found watching video essays on obscure internet lore or going down online rabbit holes.
Ayudia
Indonesia
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Ayudia joined the council because she wants to contribute as one of the voices that fight for women’s future.
Danna
USA
As a Guatemalan-American student in a pathway to law and politics, Danna is passionate about global issues surrounding human rights. She believes in taking collective, systematic, and humane solutions. Being the change you want to see in the world is great, but we have to work together for it to be effective.
Esther
Malawi
Esther is very passionate about girl empowerment, and she's always happy when she sees her fellow Ladies rising because she believes that when one lady rises, we all shine.
Faith
Malawi
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Girl Power means empowering girls to confidently pursue their dreams, advocate for their rights, and make impactful changes in their communities.
Favour
Nigeria
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Girl Power means not being conformed to societal and cultural norms
Harinee
USA
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Girl Power is the amalgamation of Grace, Intelligence, Resilience, and Limitless potential that fuels courage, competence, and confidence to fight injustice and make the world a better place.
Joan Kirabo
Uganda
Joan is a young advocate for disability rights, now a junior advisory board member for the first time, a climate change and environmental defender. Just finished her senior four and is joining Nursing school for a certificate in Nursing and hopes to advance in the field over time. She has been mentored through the She-Lead program for the past 3 years under Integrated Disabled Women Activities (IDIWA). And still under mentorship to grow in her advocacy.
Lilian
Peru
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Girl power is when every girl can fully enjoy her rights, work towards her dreams, and be heard and valued for who she is.
Maleka
Afghanistan
Maleka joined the council because she believes every girl deserves to be heard and supported. She hopes to use her voice to inspire other girls and create positive change in her community.
Mayela
El Salvador
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Empowered women are the architects of progress, breaking barriers with resilience, leading with compassion, and shaping a world where equality is not a dream but a legacy.
Minahil
Pakistan
Minahil joined the council to turn her privilege and platform into a voice for girls who don’t get the same opportunities
Nothando
Zimbabwe
Nothando joined the council because she's passionate about making a change. She loves debate, singing, and anything that involves advocacy.
Queen
Uganda
Queen, a Social Work student and a leader within the Cornerstone Leadership Academy Alumni, joined the Council to use my voice and experience to help every girl reach her full potential. She is passionate about equality and believes that by listening to and supporting each other, we can build a better future together. Her goal is to be a bridge that connects girls to the opportunities and resources they deserve.
Rania
Pakistan
Rania joined the council because she believes in a world where every girl has the chance to learn, grow, and build an independent future. Whether it’s through environmental advocacy or community action, she is always committed to challenging injustices and empowering girls to shape their own futures.
Sania
USA
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Girl Power means embracing the strength, resilience, and leadership of all women and girls while championing intersectionality to ensure that empowerment transcends race, class, sexuality, and other identities for true equity and inclusion
Sri Maisara
Malaysia
Sri Maisara Syahirah joined the council because she's super passionate about making sure every girl gets a fair shot at success and equality. She spends her time as a community advocate, working to knock down barriers like fighting period poverty in local communities so young women can fully rock their education and ambitions. When she's not busy campaigning, Sr Maisara loves diving into self-care activities and reminding girls that taking care of their mental health is their superpower!
Tapiwa
Zimbabwe
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Tapiwa is a passionate advocate for adolescent girls' rights and a member of the Graça Machel Trust Pan-African Adolescent Girls Movement. As an Ambassador for the Womandla Foundation, Tapiwa is dedicated to empowering young girls and promoting their voices, believing that education is key to unlocking their potential. When she’s not advocating for girls’ rights, Tapiwa loves exploring the world of Robotics.
Tracey
Cameroon
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Girl Power means fostering a world of solidarity, where girls support one another, and they feel confident to lead, be creative, and be innovative in whatever field they choose to pursue!
Wadly
Haiti
We are so happy to have Wadly as part of Girl Rising.
Zuri
Tanzania
Zuri joined the council because she's someone who stands for justice and equality, and one of the things she advocates for is women's rights. She finds history, politics, and art quite appealing and hopes to study archaeology and ancient civilisations in the future. In this council, she hopes to contribute to elevating girls’ rights to education and to how history has shaped the journey of girls’ and women's empowerment.