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Girls Speak Out 2026: A Young Delegate’s Experience at the United Nations

5 hours ago
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September 15, 2026.


I receive an email, the short version reads:


Dear Eleyna, 


Congrats! You will be attending the Girls Speak Out 2026 for International Day of the Girl. 

Best, The Working Group On Girls, IBVM Loreto Generalate, The Mary Ward Centre

<Thought: Pack my bags because I am going to New York City!>


I didn’t know much of what I was getting into. Sure, attend some online meetings, plan for mission visits to UN Member States, and meet girls from all over the world.


It wasn’t an opportunity everyone got, and it was one I felt I had been waiting for my whole life.


Assemble at the United Nations Headquarters? Count me in!


Sightsee in the most famous city ever? Sign me up!


Little did I know, my point of view would change forever.


October 7, 2026.


9/11 Memorial and Museum

We visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum for the first time.


There was a quote that sparked my attention.


“She had a business suit on, her hair was all askew… This woman stood there for what seemed like minutes, then she held down her skirt and then stepped off the ledge… I thought, how human, how modest, to hold down her skirt before she jumped… I couldn’t look anymore.” 


- James Gilroy 9 /11 /2001


I sat staring at the wall where these words were imprinted. 


Tears flowing down my face as I read them over and over again.


How she took the time to protect her body and how the man showed respect by looking away.


A gesture so simple and small but something she was probably used to doing everyday.


In her last moments, she was more than her clothing or her body.


She was a girl with dreams, a family, a life.


I wish I could have stopped her.



October 8, 2026.


I walk the halls of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). I originally had come to see the Starry Night, but was also introduced to the world of photography.


I stumbled into a special exhibit called, “Taking up Space”, which I had assumed was about outer space but to my surprise was about empowering women instead.


A German artist, Marianne Wex, took photos in 1997 studying how men and women show body language in public. There were over 200 panels comparing gestures, sitting, standing, possessive holds and posture. 


The experiment demonstrated that most men held their chins high, spreading their legs and taking up space whereas women tended to shrink themselves and hold onto a man’s arm when standing.


She showed the simple acts in our society that demonstrate the patriarchal structures we have in place. 


When I took the subway back that day, I had taken notice of the people around me.


I saw a spitting image of the exhibit even though those pictures were taken almost 30 years ago. 


I slowly open my legs and sit up straighter.


A small act of defiance, no one probably noticed.


But it meant a great deal to me.


I’ll take up every spot for every girl who couldn’t make it.



After watching the Broadway show, &Juliet, we stroll through Times Square


I stared in shock.


I’m walking with my mom through the large crowds trying not to get lost, when I stop abruptly at the image in front of me.


I look at the bare lady.


She’s in a suggestive position with her breasts scarcely covered by two footballs.


Her photo, with the title “Just Sports”, is displayed on the biggest billboard, in the middle of Times Square, for everyone to lay eyes on.


My smile drops as I look around me.


Is no one else seeing this? Why is this allowed?


How disappointing it must be, to be a little girl and look up to a celebrity so exploited.


I think of my friend who works twice as hard than the men in her sport to win a medal.


I think of my sister who never gets taken seriously in her job. 


I think of myself, when I struggled eating to keep my “skinny figure”. 


I think of how this small ad plays an impact in the way women are treated everyday.


How they are treated like an object with little to no respect.


I go to the hotel and lay in bed reflecting on this.




October 9, 2026.  

The International Day of the Girl, UN Headquarters

and Mission visit to UN Member State, Canada


I ask myself the following question, “How far have we really come for gender equality?”


Where I live in Canada, I can vote, I can be employed, I have freedom of speech, I can choose who to marry and I have the right to good education and healthcare.


I talk to representatives from my country on a mission visit, and tell them about the small systemic injustices that add up and are still prevalent in this century. 


I tell them about the Shadow Report which was crafted in conversation circles by over 200 young girls in 13 different countries. 


It details what is happening in our communities, what progress we see, what barriers remain, and what we think needs to change.


They listened attentively and proposed answers to all our questions.


Prior to the mission visit, I attended the International Day of the Girl event held in the ECOSOC Chamber in the UN and listened to girls speak of experiences and plans for change.


My friend named Sarah, talked about her experience dealing with Endometriosis and how women struggle with buying safe period products or getting medical help.


There are times where I have sat in the washroom, missing class, in pain and crying, wishing I could go home. This happens every month for a week for billions of girls out there.


I was so glad she spoke about that topic because people still remain uneducated to this day.


When the event finished, I fulfilled my duties as a part of the social media team, so I am able to roam freely to interview different girls. While taking photos and videos, I see how kind, passionate and hard-working these people are. 


I realize how lucky I am to live in such a blessed environment where I can be supported by women every day and feel safe identifying as one.


That’s why I do this work.


What started in shock, ended in a call to action. 


Sure, sightseeing is nice, traveling is nice.


But nothing compares to the feeling of advocating.


Because I do it for the girl who believes she has to exploit herself to be successful.


I do it for the girl who jumped off the building holding her skirt.


I do it for the girl who hesitates to take up space.


And I do it for the girl missing class in pain.



Author: Eleyna Kang, IDG Girl Delegate, Mary Ward Centre Toronto


IDG Girl Delegate, Mary Ward Centre Toronto








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