Recognizing that girls continue to face multiple forms of discrimination and rights violations that hinder their potential, this report underscores the need for a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, civil society, communities, and families to address these issues. Key recommendations include promoting gender equality in education, changing cultural attitudes, implementing protective policies, and ensuring girls' participation in decision-making processes.
Several Mary Ward schools hosted local Conversation Circles using the Working Group on Girls (WGG) Toolkit, in preparation for the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. WGG invited girls to lead girl-led discussions, focusing on advocacy and amplifying girls’ voices in local, national, and global political processes. The aim was to foster dialogue and encourage leadership, visibility, and participation in shaping the future.
WGG was formed ahead of the 1995 Women’s Conference in Beijing, at UNICEF’s request, to address the unique challenges girls face globally—many of their rights are lost before adulthood. In collaboration with African women, WGG engaged with NGOs and government delegates to advocate for the inclusion of girls in the Beijing Platform for Action, leading to the unanimous adoption of Section L on The Girl-Child by all 189 Member States.
Over 670 girls, including participants from 13 Mary Ward schools, took part in local consultations that informed the CSW69 Adolescent Girls’ Shadow Report. Submitted to UN Women and shared with Member States, UN agencies, and NGOs, the report reveals that 30 years after the Beijing Declaration, none of the strategic objectives for the girl child (Section L) have been achieved. It calls for urgent, collaborative action from governments, civil society, and multilateral institutions, emphasizing girls’ input and immediate efforts to ensure their rights and well-being.
The Mary Ward Schools that participated were:
• Loreto College Marryatville, Australia
• Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak, Australia
• Loreto Normanhurst, Australia
• Loreto Convent Entally, India
• Loreto Convent Intermediate College, India
• St. Agnes’ Loreto Day School, India
• St. Teresa’s Higher Secondary School, India
• Loreto Convent Valley Road, Kenya
• Loreto College Curepipe, Mauritius
• Loretto College of Quatre-Bornes College, Mauritius
• St. Mary’s School, Nepal
• IBVM Fe y Alegría- Mary Ward, Perú
• Loreto High School, United Kingdom
