After 10 years of Girls Belong Here, Plan International Canada invites partners to open more doors for girls

Since 2016, flagship youth leadership program has helped more than 300 girls and young women build the skills, confidence, and global perspective to advance girls’ rights

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ten years after Plan International Canada launched Girls Belong Here, alumni continue to apply what they learned in public policy, technology, health, and community spaces.

More than 300 young women and gender-diverse youth ages 14–24 have taken part in the program, which connects participants across Canada with decision makers and brings youth perspectives into influential spaces where girls remain underrepresented. As girls’ rights and participation are under attack globally, these opportunities are more important than ever, strengthening girls’ leadership in Canada and helping drive equality for girls worldwide.

For Yllka Bojku, a 2022 participant who took part in a seat share at the House of Commons, the experience shifted her perspective from observing change to helping shape it.

“When I arrived in Canada from Kosovo, I carried ambition but not yet a clear sense of where my voice could make a difference,” said Bojku. “Plan Canada’s Girls Belong Here sparked a confidence in me that I hadn’t felt before. It helped me see possibilities for myself that once felt out of reach.”

Today, Bojku works in technology and advocates for digital inclusion, inclusive AI policy, and civic engagement. She was recently selected for Fora: Network for Change’s Rise on Boards program, which will place her as a Young Director on a non-profit board. The opportunity builds on the leadership foundation she developed through Girls Belong Here.

Bojku is one of many alumni who have gone on to shape policy, health, technology, and community leadership in Canada and beyond. Breanne Lavallee-Heckert went from a seat share in the Prime Minister of Canada’s Office to speaking at UN conferences and becoming executive director of Festival du Voyageur; Tami Vasanthakumaran, whose seat share was with CIFAR, founded Meducine, an AI-powered platform making trusted health information more accessible; and Sophie Arseneault, who was paired with the Canadian Embassy to the United Nations, has since worked with the World Bank Group and now serves as a board director with Fòs Feminista, a global alliance working to advance the health and well-being of girls and women.

Girls Belong Here is part of Plan International Canada’s broader work to advance equality for girls in Canada and around the world. Through seat shares, innovation hubs, and mentorship with Canadian and global leaders, participants gain first-hand exposure to decisions that affect their communities and girls globally, while partners gain direct insight from the next generation of leaders.

A recent alumni survey provides a window into the program’s longer-term impact. Every respondent said they still draw on the skills, confidence, or connections gained through Girls Belong Here, and all said it changed how they see their own potential.

“What makes Girls Belong Here so special is what happens when young people and established leaders come together,” said Lindsay Glassco, president and CEO of Plan International Canada. “Young people see the world differently, and their experiences can make all of us think differently about how we lead. At the same time, they get to imagine themselves in roles where significant decisions are made, roles that are still too often held by men. When girls have a seat at the table and are given the opportunity to lead, we all benefit.”

How to get involved

As Girls Belong Here enters its second decade, Plan International Canada invites businesses, governments, universities, and community organizations to partner with the program through seat shares, mentorship, and other opportunities that bring girls and young women into decision-making spaces.

Become a partner: Explore Plan Canada’s Girls Belong Here program and learn how your organization can host a seat share or mentorship opportunity for the next generation of global girls’ rights advocates.

Support youth leadership: Give to Train Youth Leaders in Canada to help more girls and young women build the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to lead.

From seat shares to leadership: Meet Girls Belong Here alumni and previous partners who are using their voices, skills, and experiences to advance change in their communities and beyond.

Note to editors

Plan International Canada received 21 responses to a 2026 survey of Girls Belong Here alumni about the program’s longer-term impact, including reflections on leadership, advocacy, and community involvement. The findings reflect the experiences of the respondents.

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships with and for children for almost 90 years and is now active in more than 80 countries.

We stand with children, especially girls, wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind, or not equally valued. We are determined optimists and will continue to persevere until we are all equal.

Visit plancanada.ca for more information.

Media contact
Plan International Canada
PR & Communications
PRteam@plancanada.ca

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5e4fac0e-4b56-482f-b417-02c1588dbb81
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e14da137-207e-4538-9a20-5a01c462bcd0 

Girls Belong Here celebrates 10 years

Aiza, a previous Girls Belong Here participant joined a senior executive, gaining first-hand leadership experience while bringing a youth perspective to the table.

Plan International Canada seat share

During a Girls Belong Here seat share, youth advocate Muzdha joined Plan Canada CEO Lindsay Glassco for a behind-the-scenes look at leadership and the decisions that affect girls globally.