GLI report launched

Plan International Nepal, in collaboration with Plan International Asia Pacific Regional Hub, launched the Girls’ Leadership Index (GLI) Report 2024 on Thursday. The report highlights the progress and challenges faced by girls and young women across the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on education, health, economic opportunities, protection from violence, climate change, political participation, and the legal and policy frameworks shaping their development. The launch event featured global leaders and representatives from Plan International’s national offices. Bhagyashree Dengal, Plan International’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the urgency of addressing barriers faced by girls, stating, “As our region faces pressing challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and political instability, addressing the unique barriers faced by girls is crucial.” Dengal added, “Empowering girls is not only about improving their lives but also about ensuring a prosperous future for communities and nations.”

The Adolescent Leadership Index 2024 provided insights into the barriers and opportunities affecting adolescent girls’ leadership potential. Based on data from 33 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the report revealed that persistent inequalities hinder girls’ leadership development and highlighted the need to break cycles of gender discrimination and inequality. Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines are leading the way in transforming education, protection, and legal systems for girls. In contrast, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Brunei face significant challenges in education, economic opportunities, and climate action, which undermine girls’ empowerment. Similarly, in the Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji excel in areas like education and political representation, while Papua New Guinea, Nauru, and the Solomon Islands lag behind in health and leadership representation. Cambodia has shown remarkable progress in health indicators, whereas Brunei has witnessed a significant decline in climate change performance regarding adolescent girls, underscoring the diverse challenges and opportunities within the region.

A panel discussion moderated by Rose Coldwell, Plan UK National Director, featured Ram Kishan, Country Director of Plan International Nepal; Ravi Verma, Executive Director of the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) Asia; Basjir Najeeb, Deputy Country Representative of UNFPA Nepal; and Sikha Thapa, a climate youth activist. Saima, a teenager from one of Plan International’s countries of work, urged stakeholders to challenge misconceptions about adolescents, stating, “We need to remove misconceptions that negatively affect us and challenge the idea that adolescents cannot lead or be agents of change. We also need more agencies and partners to support us in achieving equal power, freedom, and representation.”

Plan International emphasized the need to address socio-economic barriers, eliminate harmful cultural practices, and ensure equal access to education, health services, and economic opportunities for girls. However, challenges such as gender-based violence, early marriage, and weak legal frameworks remain critical and require urgent attention. Children’s rights organizations and humanitarian agencies are advocating for increased initiatives to enhance girls' involvement in youth-focused programs and to provide more financial support for their groups and organizations.