Girls Takeover
Girls are taking hold of their power and potential
Girls Takeover
Girls are taking hold of their power and potential
Girls are powerful. They have ideas and aspirations. They are ready to call out injustice and demand change in their communities.
That’s why every year on International Day of the Girl, 11th October, Plan International UK celebrates the power of girls with our Girls Takeover programme.
Girls and young women take over leadership positions – whether in business, politics or media – to champion gender equality, better representation and the potential of girls. It’s time that girls are front and centre at the decision-making table to help build a more equal and just world.
DID YOU KNOW THAT IN THE UK...
girls are discouraged from a career because of their gender
of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates are female
FTSE 100 CEOs are women
of politicians in the House of Commons are women
It's time for change – to break down the barriers which hold girls and women back from certain careers and from being leaders.
For International Day of the Girl, we’re supporting girls to be front and centre, to take over the boardroom, seats of power, channels of influence and the stereotypes that hold them and their futures back.
Will you join us?
GET INVOLVED IN #GIRLSTAKEOVER
We’d love to hear from you for our 2023 Girls Takeover Programme.
Are you a girl or young woman* aged 14 – 24, passionate about addressing the barriers and stereotypes faced by girls and want to learn what it takes to become a leader?
Do you work for an organisation committed to diversity and inclusion and strive for gender equality?
Could you have a girl take over as your senior leader for the day?
First minister of Wales
Jaime, 16, took over Welsh Government as First Minister for the day on International Day of the Girl 2022.
“Being First Minister for a day has been an amazing experience. I've learnt a lot throughout the day and feel that being given a seat at the table has allowed me to shed some light on the issues girls face.”
Jaime
Girls takeover with Astrazeneca
Five young women (including Nikhita, 18, pictured) took over senior leadership positions in three UK locations at AstraZeneca.
“It was a pleasure to work on this initiative with the Plan UK team again this year on bringing Girls Belong Here to life. We heard only positive feedback from everyone involved, including the girls who participated. Thanks as well to the Plan UK team for leading this work and connecting us with enthusiastic and inspiring young people.”
Courtney Sunna, Director, Glocal Community Investment and YHP, AstraZeneca
Girls takeover with Plan International UK
Penelope, 19, took over from Chief Financial Officer, Rose Caldwell, here at Plan International UK.
“By scheduling my own day and accepting invitations to activities that peaked my interest, I had the type of opportunity I had not experienced before; one to practise power.”
Penelope
Girls takeover with credit suisse
Meera, 18, took over the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Credit Suisse in London.
“My main takeaway from today is seeing how open and inclusive all the employees I’ve spoken to are and how everyone really looks out for one another at this firm and that really speaks volumes about the culture.
Being part of the Board meeting today made me feel really empowered and knowing that as a young person, my perspective matters.”
Meera
*At Plan International UK, we actively seek and encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and identities to apply. We strive to ensure individuals are supported in taking part in these activities including removing any barriers you might have to take part.