Judy Mintz describes the “Girls Speak Out” event marking International Day of the Girl at the UN in New York on October 10, 2025.
This annual event, a key component of celebrating the International Day of the Girl, had heightened significance this year because Hannah P-C, an NCJWC and ICJW girl advocate from Vancouver, Canada, was selected to be on the event’s planning committee. For several months early on Saturday mornings, she worked tirelessly to create a meaningful girl-led and girl-focused session. Hannah expertly presented her parts with confidence, passion, and conviction. She did all of us proud!
The other planning committee members came from Liberia, Bolivia, United Kingdom, Ghana and the United States. This year’s powerful theme: “We are Here: Bold, Diverse, and Unstoppable-Demanding Action for Girls’ Rights” focused on promoting the need for justice, dignity and equality for every girl. Repeatedly we were reminded that change begins with listening to girls’ courageous voices, the importance of access to education, technology, and healthcare, the right to live without fear, the elimination of early forced marriage, the formation of support communities (clubs, partnerships, mentorships and networks), and the importance to move from words to real change.
Hannah seated next to Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly, during her presentation.
Dignitaries added their support: the UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, Ambassadors from the Missions of Canada, Costa Rica, Peru and Turkey, as well as representatives from UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund, UN Women, Girl Scouts, and WWG. We were also honored to have Talya Steinberg, NCJW (US) Associate Director of Government Relations and Advocacy join us.
There were two panels: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis-Protection, Peace & Power, and From Margins to Power-Girls Defying Discrimination and Reclaiming Identity. The presentations were a combination of in-person presentations and videos. For two hours, the filled audience of girls, a few boys, and families was educated, inspired, and challenged.
ICJW and girls around the world send much appreciation to the combined efforts of Hannah for her inspiring participation, to Yamila, her mom for her encouragement, and to Jordana Corenblum, President of the NCJW Vancouver Section, for nominating Hannah.
Shown here: Yamila (Hannah’s mother), Hannah, Talya Steinberg (NCJW US staff member-Associate Director, Government Relations and Advocacy) and Judy Mintz (ICJW UN representative)
Watch the event video here: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k12/k12x46voj1 or click below to watch her presesentation on behalf of ICJW and her closing speech.
Hannah’s Presentation on behalf of ICJW
Closing Speech by Hannah
