Girls Speak Out: Advocating for Justice with the Working Group on Girls

On October 9, 22 students from Notre Dame schools attended Girls Speak Out, an international forum at the United Nations. This annual event, sponsored by the Working Group on Girls (WGG), gives young women an inspiring opportunity to advocate for girls’ rights in their communities and beyond.

Kathryn Yanik directs the office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the U.S. East-West Province.

This year, two Notre Dame students also spoke at the event as representatives of SNDdeN and WGG. Makayla, a junior from Maryvale Preparatory School in Lutherville, Md., moderated and presented the Girls Shadow Report to the audience. Natalie, a freshman from Notre Dame Academy in Hingham, Mass., served as a panelist and reflected on the importance of mentorship and mutual support for girls – something she has experienced in her own school community.

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have been members of the Working Group on Girls at the United Nations for many years. This organization calls upon NGO representatives and the girls whom we serve to act together to advocate for justice. As SND at the UN celebrates its 25^th year, we look forward to continuing this collaboration with Notre Dame schools and all girls in our community. Several schools have already shared their plans to participate in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW71) at the United Nations in March 2027 – furthering our shared mission of educating women for life and advocating for the rights of girls.

-Kathryn Yanik, Director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation