Fearless and strong, young minds are influencing nations across the globe. Leading crowds and spreading tenacious messages, they have caught the eyes of world leaders. Debunking the generation gap, many follow these young leaders.
Covering a wide range of global issues, these young leaders have plenty to talk about. Just as their speeches move a million hearts, their social media posts and campaigns also help in influencing many.
Let's discuss some of these fighters, all female, among us:
Shaymaa Ismaa'eel
On April 23, 24-year-old Shaymaa Ismaa'eel posted a picture on Twitter, posing in front of an Islamophobic protesters displaying signs attacking Islam and Prophet Muhammed.
“On April 21st, I smiled in the face of bigotry and walked away feeling the greatest form of accomplishment," she tweeted against this image, which today has over 2,30,000 likes and 65,000 retweets. People also comment against this viral image stating that it should be placed in a museum.
Talking to 'Teen Vogue', Shaymaa, discusses how everyone should be rightfully educated about different cultures and religions. She hopes to demystify the idea of Muslims and the religion through her YouTube, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Alaa Salah
During the series of protests against President Omar al-Bashir, in Sudan, Lana Haroun took a picture of Alaa Salah, which gained international media attention.
The image shows Alaa clad in a white traditional Sudanese 'thoub' and the traditional golden wedding earrings, amongst protestors near the army headquarters and presidential palace in Khartoum. She led a crowd of women who followed her to the protest site.
Today this image is infamously known as “Woman in White” and “Lady Liberty” of Sudan. It became a symbolic image portraying the role of women in the success of demonstrations unfolding in Sudan. Other women activists say,“it is an identity of a working-class women who are capable of doing anything but still appreciates her culture”.
Greta Thunberg
Just at the age of 16, Greta Thunberg is well aware of the climate changes that is threatening the Earth. This Swedish climate activist is a role model for worldwide student activism. In 2018 she initiated a worldwide school strike for climate movement.
Over 1.4 million students and 112 countries follow her cause to raise awareness about global warming. The next school strike for climate change is scheduled to happen on May 24, 2019.
Payal Jangid
Crushing patriarchy and fighting child labour, Payal Jangid is working towards issues such as education for girls and awareness to child marriage in India. Leading a Child Parliament from her own hometown, she represents the voice of the children.
Fighting for an immediate change, she hopes to build a 'child friendly' environment in her village in Rajasthan.
Sophie Cruz
At the age of 5, in 2015, Sophie Cruz jumped the security line and ran behind the Pope's car in Washington D.C. in a bid to give him a letter. In the letter addressed to the Pope Francis, Sophie requested him to acknowledge and speak about Action for Parents of America Act. Her parents were undocumented and would soon be deported.
Her act of bravery led Pope Francis to speak about the issue at the United Nation Congress, which allowed flexible handling of immigrants and refugees.
Sophie works towards the continuance of the DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of America) which allows parents like hers to stay in USA legally.
“Every dream begins with a dreamer.”
All of us have to join hands with such young change agents to fight towards a peaceful and just humanity.
