Voices of girls in crisis
10 October 2025Every year on 11 October, the International Day of the Girl reminds us of the power, resilience, and leadership of girls – even in the most difficult circumstances. Across the world, adolescent girls continue to dream, create, and lead, showing extraordinary strength in the face of uncertainty.
Plan International’s Adolescent Girls in Crisis research amplifies the voices of girls aged 10–19 from Ukraine, Poland, and Romania, sharing their stories of hope and perseverance. Their experiences reflect the realities of growing up amid disruption, displacement, and rapid change – but also the determination to rebuild their lives and communities.
Adolescent girls face unique challenges
“Sometimes, it feels like the war isn’t just outside, but inside my head too.”
Olesya, 15, Ukraine
Adolescent girls describe high levels of stress and anxiety – yet many struggle to access the mental health support they need. With few services available in their own languages, they often turn to their families, peers, and creativity to find stability and strength.
“Sometimes, it just feels like the war isn’t just outside, but inside my head, too,” says Olesya, a 15-year-old girl from Ukraine.
Education has also been deeply affected. For many girls, school has been disrupted for years – first by the pandemic, then by ongoing instability. Online learning offers safety but limits social connection, while those displaced abroad face new language barriers and unfamiliar systems.
“I couldn’t participate in school for months when we were displaced,” explains Hanna, an adolescent girl from Ukraine. “We left everything behind.”
Despite these challenges, girls continue to lead – supporting others, volunteering in their communities, and advocating for inclusion and equality.
“I wish for a future where there are more societal acceptance and fewer prejudices against each other,” says Oleska, an adolescent girl from Ukraine.
“I couldn’t participate in school for months when we were displaced. We left everything behind.”
Hanna, an adolescent girl from Ukraine
International Day of the Girl
“I wish for a future where there are more societal acceptance and fewer prejudices against each other.”
Oleska, an adolescent girl from Ukraine
This International Day of the Girl, Plan International calls on all partners, governments, and communities to ensure that girls’ voices guide decisions about recovery, education, and wellbeing. Sustained investment in mental health, education, and youth participation is essential to protect girls’ rights and enable their leadership in recovery.
When girls are supported to learn, lead, decide and thrive, they don’t just change their own futures – they change the future of entire communities.
Categories: Campaigns, Protection from violence
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