International Day of the Girl: How three young leaders are making a global impact 

This year, we’re spotlighting three young women breaking barriers and building brighter futures for children and young people worldwide. 

Together, we can ensure every child has everything they need to thrive now—and for years to come. 

Kavitha: Promoting childhood literacy in Nepal 

Growing up in SOS Children’s Villages in Nepal, Kavitha* discovered her passion for art early on. 

With a storied history of winning prizes for her art submissions in school competitions, Kavitha knew she wanted to pursue a degree in fine arts—but her ambitions didn’t end with her own personal achievements. 

“Art can inspire and teach,” Kavitha said, proudly displaying her recently published children’s book.  

She sees her book as more than just a colorful creation—it’s a bridge between art and education. Filled with vibrant illustrations, fun characters and stories inspired by Nepal’s history and culture, the book teaches children the Nepali alphabet in a new way. 

Learn more about how children and young people use education to reach their full potential. 

With a passionate belief that children learn best when education is fun, Kavitha is helping young learners in Nepal build foundational literacy skills while connecting them to their cultural heritage—using creative expression as a powerful tool for educational impact. 

Kavitha is helping children build a brighter future, one colorful page at a time! 

Lizeth: Advocating for youth employment in Mexico and beyond 

When Lizeth joined the first National Youth Committee of SOS Children’s Villages in Mexico, she didn’t know that it would help her discover her entrepreneurial dreams—or develop her into a global advocate.  

Through YouthCan!—SOS’ global program for youth employability and entrepreneurship—Lizeth acquired the business and marketing skills she needed to launch Memorias de Cera—her brand of handcrafted candles designed to spark emotional connection and personal reflection. 

“The idea came from my passion for the emotional connection that scents and light bring to our memories,” Lizeth said. “I wanted to create something meaningful and authentic—and every step of this journey has been taken with love.”  

 Today, Lizeth is not only a young entrepreneur—she is a youth advocate, working to amplify young voices on the global stage. Recently, alongside another dedicated young leader, she represented Latin America and the Caribbean at the Global YouthCan! Youth Council meeting in Vienna, Austria.  

There, she collaborated with other young leaders from Brazil, Madagascar, Kenya, Romania and the Philippines, exchanging experiences, discussing shared goals and hosting conversations with global companies like DHL Group, Siemens and NIVEA.  

“I realized how important the voice of young people is and that we need to take an interest in our future,” Lizeth said. “Above all, our proposals need to be heard and that we need to work to make them a reality.” 

Learn more about how SOS equips young people to succeed.  

Saraphina: Championing young women’s education and health in Tanzania 

In Tanzania, 22% of women 15-19 years old have been pregnant, and data shows that more than 200 girls drop out of school due to pregnancy annually.  

With prevalent cultural stigmas, even if a young woman wanted to continue school, she may not have a choice—girls like Saraphina.  

Once the school board discovered she was pregnant, they expelled 17-year-old Saraphina. She was one week away from registering for her college entrance exams.   

“I felt like my life ended the moment I [learned I was] pregnant,” said Saraphina, now 24. “I couldn’t even speak in front of other women.”  

But then, she connected with SOS Children’s Villages Tanzania and attended positive, entrepreneurship and reproductive health trainings.  

Now, Saraphina owns her own restaurant and two clothing shops, but her impact extends far beyond her personal success.  

As a peer educator, Saraphina advises other adolescent girls, sharing life skills and other critical knowledge to equip other young women to protect themselves from abuse and early pregnancy and achieve a quality education. 

Equipping the next generation of leaders 

Kavitha, Lizeth and Saraphina represent millions of girls and young women creating positive, lasting change in their communities worldwide.  

When we support girls' education, health and leadership development, we're not just changing individual lives—we're building a more equitable and innovative future for everyone. 

*Names changed to protect privacy.  

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