Girls Advisory Council
The Girls Advisory Council incorporates girls’ voices into our programming strategy and communications decisions. Two members are appointed as representatives to our Board of Directors.
The council comprises girls* (ages 14-22) representing a cross-section of the girls we serve. Council members work with staff, the board, and students to ensure that our programming and storytelling reflect the strengths, needs, and realities of girls everywhere. They act as ambassadors during their tenure and participate in She’s the First initiatives, including campaigns, advocacy call-to-actions, and online events. Two members will also sit on the Board of Directors and act as liaisons between the Board and the Girls Advisory Council.
*gender-nonconforming, genderfluid, transfeminine experiences included.
Meet the 2026 Council
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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.
Abigail Eyo
Nigeria


Allyson is passionate about bridging education gaps and showing girls no dream is impossible. An Economics student who loves cultures, she aims to shape policies that create equal opportunities worldwide.
Allyson Jennifer
Gonza Perez
Peru


Ariadna joined the Council because she hopes to connect with girls from all over the world and together contribute to Girl Rising mission. She is a gender justice and youth participation activist, and Girl Activist Fellowship 2024-2025 alumna.
Ariadna Beneventi Pacheco
Chile
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Girl Power means embracing strength, independence, and the confidence to break barriers while supporting each other.
Binta Demba
Gambia


As a Guatemalan-American student in a pathway to law and politics, I am passionate about global issues surrounding human rights. I believe 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.
Danna Isabella Garcia Pedroza
USA


Eman Ahmad joined the Council because she has seen firsthand 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.
Eman Ahmad
Pakistan


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Ewa, Athodonun Kanu
Nigeria


Fatma Jlali joined the council because I want uplift and inspire girls and create meaningful opportunities for everybody
Fatma Ezzahra Jlali
Tunisia


Golban Alina joined the Council because I am passionate about helping others and standing up for justice and equal rights.I am motivated to use my voice to create positive change in my community and beyond.
Golban Alina
Republic of Moldova


Isla Heath joined the Council because she strives to make a change worldwide to support women for years to come.
Isla Heath
USA


To Nhu joined the Council because she wanted to raise public awareness of gender equality, diversity and marginalized community
Joan Muringi Kinyua
Kenya


Mahi Vootukuru 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!
Mahita Vootukuru
USA


Marjorie Sunio (18, Philippines) joined the Council because she is passionate and dedicated to uplifting girls' voices.💖
Marjorie R. Sunio
Philippines
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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.
Mayela Mayen
El Salvador


Minahil Irfan (Pakistan) joined the Council to turn my privilege and platform into a voice for girls who don’t get the same opportunities
Minahil Irfan
Pakistan


Nangoma Christine Star (Jinja,Uganga) joined the council because she would want to help the girl child
Nangoma Christine Star
Uganda


Nothando Muguwu(20, Zimbabwe) joined the Council because she is passionate about making a change . She loves debate , singing and anything that involves advocacy.
Nothando Muguwu
Zimbabwe


Rabia Kamran (17, Pakistan) joined the Council because she is passionate about girls’ education, youth leadership, and creating equal opportunities for all. She is the founder of the League of Youth Network, hopes to build a career in business and eventually work with international organizations like the UN.
Rabia Kamran
Pakistan


Sambida Wagle (21, Nepal) 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-centered 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.
Sambida Wagle
Nepal


Grace Sawadogo (20, Burkina Faso) joined this organization because she wants to change the narratives that limit girls’ambitions and access to quality education. She want the girls from her community to dare to dream big and have the necessary resources to achieve it.
Sawadogo Anna Grace
Burkina Faso
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Tapiwa Aisha Magureyi is a 14-year-old 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.
Tapiwa Aisha Maguireyi
Zimbabwe


Yamilah Bhyat (21, Republic of South Africa) 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, she is grounded in creativity, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to honouring our shared humanity above all else.
Yamilah
South Africa


Alayna Hassan is passionate about making the world a better place and advocating for young people’s rights, especially girls’ participation in decision-making spaces. She has been involved in initiatives ranging from criminal justice policy 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.
Alayna Hassan
Sweden


Amy Sura is 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.
Amy Sura
Canada
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Ayudia Pramesti Adistya Cahyani joined the Council because she wanted to contribute as one of the voices that fight for women's future.
Ayudia Pramesti Adistya Cahyani
Canada
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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
Byssan Sanmy
Morocco


To Nhu (19, Vietnam) joined the Council because she wanted to raise public awareness of gender equality, diversity and marginalized community
Đào Thuỵ Tố Như
Vietnam


I'm Esther Chimala from Malawi. I'm a very passionate person about girl empowerment and I'm always happy when I see my fellow Ladies rising because I believe that when one lady rise we all shine.
Esther Chimala
Malawi


Fatimah Baig joined the Council because she is deeply committed to advancing girls’ education, leadership, and access to opportunity. She is a student and youth organizer 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.
Fatimah Kamran Baig
USA
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Girls Power means not being conformed to societal and cultural norms
Favour Unoh
Nigeria


My name is Gulina, im 15 y.o, I like studying, learning new languages and dancing.
Gulina
Kyrgyzstan
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Girl Power means the ability to bring change and healing to the World
Izwirashe
Zimbabwe
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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 fulfills them.
Lara
USA


Makayvia Wilkinson-Panford joined the Council because she believes every girl deserves the chance to dream boldly and succeed. She enjoys science, crochet, design, and hopes to pursue a future in technology and advocacy.
Makayvia Wilkinson-Panford
Trinidad and Tobago


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Mary Atieno
Kenya
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Girl power means empowering girls and women to be strong, independent, and confident in pursuing their dreams.
Mercy Nasimuyu
Kenya


I am 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.
Mulamba Mianda Ornella
Democratic Republic of Congo


Joined the Council because I want to see positive change in the world where equality is concerned and be the voice for the voiceless. Bachelor of laws (LLB). Loves reading and playing sports.
Ngoi Mercy Mushipi
Zambia


Girl Power is a slogan-a social and political movement which encourages women and girls to be independent, strong and confident
Poni Modi
South Sudan


Rania Allauddin (15, Pakistan) 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.
Rania Allauddin
Pakistan
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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
Sania Hammad
USA


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Sonam lhamu Sherpa
Nepal


Tina Lee (20, United States) joined the Council to advocate for girls’ rights and contribute to programming and policy for Girl Rising and She’s the First. 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!
Tina Kajsiab Lee
USA
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I’m Zainab Bie, I work across policy, philanthropy, and communications, specialising in climate justice and gender equity. My focus is on designing campaigns, events, partnerships, and narratives that close the gendar gap, connect stakeholders and drive action. I bridge multilateral spaces like UN COPs and G20 with grassroots initiatives, ensuring strategies are both actionable and inclusive.
Zainab Bie
India
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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!
Allison Choong
Malaysia


Anoushka Poddar 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.
Anoushka Poddar
India
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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!
Beri Bari Tracey
Cameroon


Chia Raissa Fien (Northwest, Cameroon) joined the council because she is 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 join the field of STEM.
Chia Raissa Fien
Russia


Doreen Bushoke (19, Tanzania) joined the Council because I care deeply about girls’ health, education, and rights. I am a university student focusing on nutrition and child development, and I am especially passionate about supporting girls’ wellbeing and helping their voices be heard.
Doreen Bernad Bushoke
Tanzania


Evas Batamuriza joined the Council because she is passionate about advancing girls’ education and creating meaningful community change. She hopes to grow her leadership skills while collaborating with other young advocates from around the world.
Evas Batamuriza
Rwanda
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Vanessa Dei-Alorse 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.
Faith Ngulube
Malawi


Zuri Neghesti joined the Council because she stands for justice and equality and one of the things she advocates for is womens rights. She finds history, politics and art quite appealing and hopes to study archeology and ancient civilizations in the future. In this council she hopes to contribute to elevating girls rights to education and how history has shaped the journey of girls and women empowerment.
Gabrielle Zuri Neghesti
Tanzania
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To me, "Girl Power" is an amalgamation of Grace, Intelligence, Resilience, and Limitless potential that fuels courage, competence, and confidence to fight injustice and make the world a better place.
Harinee Adivarahan
USA


Joan is an advocate for disability rights, a climate change and environmental defender. She ust 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 last 3 years under Integrated Disabled Women Activities – IDIWA. And still under mentorship to grow in her advocacy.
Joan
Uganda
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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.
Lilian Yelina
Peru


Maleka Ahmadi 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.
Maleka Ahmadi
Afghanistan


Mashiya Rahman (15, Bangladesh)
I am have joined the Council because, as a girl, I know how hard it is for girls to even know about our rights. If I can overcome any obstacle, you can too.
Mashiya Rahman
Bangladesh


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 inspire action and open doors.
Mikaede Conway
Philippines
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Girl Power means a 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 stragies to solve them and by all means solve them.
Namukuve Tracy
Uganda


Nidhi Bathla (17, United States) joined the Council because of her passions for female empowerment and youth advocacy. Nidhi enjoys writing, reading, and learning about women's rights. She is excited to be a part of such an amazing organization, and for where it can take her.
Nidhi Bathla
USA


Queen Mankunku, a Social Work student and a leader in the Cornerstone Leadership Academy Alumni, joined the Council to use my voice and experience to help every girl reach her full potential. I'm passionate about equality and believe that by listening to and supporting each other, we can build a better future together. My goal is to be a bridge that connects girls to the opportunities and resources they deserve.
Queen Mankunku
Uganda


Robina Azizi, an education and girls' rights activist from Afghanistan, is the founder of Girls on the Path of Change which empowers girls and supports their education. Growing up in Afghanistan, Robina faced extreme challenges- when the Taliban regained control in 2021, Robina lost her chance to continue her studies, which fueled her lifelong mission to advocate for educational access and girls’ empowerment.
Robina Azizi
Germany


Savera Sidhu (17, New Zealand) joined the Council because she is 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.
Savera Sidhu
New Zealand


Sri Maisara Syahirah (18, Malaysia) joined the Council because I'm super passionate about making sure every girl gets a fair shot at success and equality. I spend my 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 I'm not busy campaigning, I love diving into self-care activities and reminding girls that taking care of their mental health is their superpower!
Sri Maisara Syahirah
Malaysia


Vanessa Dei-Alorse (21, Ghana) 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.
Vanessa Delali
Ghana
