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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.  

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Highlights from our Girls Takeover 2023 programme.

DID YOU KNOW THAT IN THE UK... 

1/3

of girls are discouraged from a career because of their gender

350%

of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates are female

9

FTSE 100 CEOs are women

350%

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 2024 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? 

FIND OUT MORE


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?

GET IN TOUCH

Jaime as First Minister of Wales for the day
Jaime as First Minister of Wales 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

Nikhita took over as Vice President Global SHE and Sustainability at AstraZeneca in Macclesfield
Nikhita took over as Vice President Global SHE and Sustainability at AstraZeneca in Macclesfield
Penelope joined Rose Caldwell as CEO of Plan International UK for one day
Penelope joined Rose Caldwell as CEO of Plan International UK for one day

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

READ HER STORY

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

Meera took over as CEO at Credit Suisse in London
Meera took over as CEO at Credit Suisse in London

*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.