[Rally for Women] Young Defenders, Bold Futures - Plan International

Around the world, millions of girls experience Gender Based Violence and are still forced into marriage before they turn 18 — a practice that robs them of their education, health, and future. But change is possible.

At this special event, we will explore the realities faced by girls across different regions and we’ll present the latest global findings on child marriage. The new report "Let me be a Child, not a Wife", highlights the global context of girls’ and women’s rights, the root causes of child marriage, and the life-changing consequences it brings.

Together with inspiring young grassroots activists from Ethiopia and Ghana, we’ll dive deeper into the data and firsthand advocacy experiences and regional insights during a moderated plenary session.

In an interactive discussion, we’ll examine two powerful “what if” scenarios:

• What if gender based violence rates, including child marriage rates remain the same—or even rise—in the next decade?
• What will it take to eradicate Gender Based Violence?

This workshop puts the voices of girls front and center — and asks:
👉 What do girls and young women need from their communities, and from global partners like the Netherlands, to be protected, empowered, and heard?

Whether you’re a Dutch advocate, policymaker, student, or simply passionate about gender equality, this is your chance to learn, connect, and contribute to global change.

Organised as part of Rally for Women's Rights Festival by Wo=Men 💻 Rally for Women’s Rights Festival - WO=MEN

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Neude 11, 11 Neude, Utrecht, Netherlands

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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