Recap: Girls Human Rights Festival 2025
The Girls Human Rights Festival 2024 was a remarkable celebration of advocacy, empowerment, and collaboration, bringing together young leaders, experts, and change-makers committed to advancing girls' rights worldwide. Held from February 17-21, 2024, in London, UK, the festival featured inspiring discussions, innovative challenges, and networking opportunities designed to drive real impact.
Girls Human Rights Challenge 2025 – A Powerful Showcase of Advocacy and Innovation
The Girls Human Rights Challenge at the Girls Human Rights Festival 2025 was a powerful testament to the passion and determination of young advocates striving to create real change. Throughout the event, Mini Hubs, Young Experts, and student leaders presented bold and innovative proposals tackling pressing human rights issues for girls and young women worldwide. The panel of distinguished judges engaged in insightful discussions, offering valuable feedback and fostering a space where ideas could turn into actionable solutions. The Commitment Round further elevated the experience, as legal and human rights professionals pledged mentorship, resources, and strategic support to help bring these visionary projects to life.
From judicial reform on gender-based violence in Spain to grassroots initiatives fostering safer communities, the challenge showcased the depth of creativity and commitment among young changemakers. Winners not only gained recognition but also secured invaluable opportunities such as mini pupillages, mentorship from top legal experts, and exclusive lunches with King’s Counsels. Beyond the competition, the event sparked lasting connections, inspiring collaborations that will extend far beyond the festival.
As we transitioned from bold pitches and strategic commitments to hands-on learning, the momentum only grew stronger at the Advocacy Bootcamp on February 18.
Day 2: Advocacy Bootcamp
Hosted by Irwin Mitchell LLP, the bootcamp welcomed over sixty young advocates eager to deepen their understanding of legal and policy advocacy.
Opened by Sultana Tafadar KC, Alison Eddy, and Ilvana Dedja, the event featured an inspiring panel moderated by Jana Konle, with speakers including Lipa Nessa, Shamsa Araweelo, Jodie Beck, Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed, PhD, and Tara Carey. Attendees then participated in a masterclass led by King’s Counsels Eleena Misra KC and Sultana Tafadar KC, diving deep into employment, equalities law, and advocacy techniques. The day ended with a powerful session, Driving Change from Within, highlighting the impact of the Girls Human Rights Hub community, featuring Safiyah Tafadar, Jo Münch, Roksanna Keyvan, Huda Feysal, and Renée Verissimo, moderated by Ella Lawrence.
Day 3: Leadership Summit
On February 19, the festival continued with the Leadership Summit, hosted by Hogan Lovells, where over 100 young changemakers explored the power of self-leadership and strategic action. Designed for participants aged 11-21, the summit empowered girls with the tools to create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. Attendees engaged in discussions on building resilience, navigating leadership challenges, and amplifying advocacy efforts, guided by experienced professionals committed to fostering the next generation of human rights leaders.
In Plenary Session 1, we were privileged to hear from an exceptional panel of speakers: Katie Beeching, Rehema Muthamia, Sarah Tayara, and Naomi Kellman. These inspiring women shared their personal journeys, discussing the challenges they overcame and the strategies they used to turn passion into action.
A special highlight of the morning was the Fireside Chat with Barbara Mills KC, a leading figure in the legal field. Her insights on breaking barriers and championing diversity in the legal profession left the audience motivated and ready to carve their own paths.
The heart of the summit lay in the interactive Leadership Labs, where attendees engaged in hands-on workshops designed to strengthen their advocacy and leadership skills.
Some of the standout sessions included: ✅ Public Speaking Mastery – Led by Sultana Tafadar KC & Celestine Greenwood, this workshop equipped attendees with the confidence to speak powerfully and persuasively. ✅ Advocacy & Negotiation Strategies – Sarah Tayara & Farheen Ahmed guided participants through real-world negotiation tactics essential for human rights activism. ✅ Conflict Resolution & Mediation – Experts Frederick Way & Susanne Schuler (CEDR) provided invaluable insights into resolving disputes effectively. ✅ Storytelling & Campaigning for Change – Led by Laura Coryton MBE, this session explored the power of narratives in driving social movements.
The afternoon featured a dynamic Plenary Session 2, where leading partners from Hogan Lovells shared their journeys into leadership. Moderated by Ilvana Dedja, the discussion featured Nicola Evans, Katie Gill, and Jenna Ralfe, offering young changemakers real-world advice on navigating careers while staying true to their values.
The day concluded with powerful closing remarks by Michael Davison (Deputy CEO, Hogan Lovells), reinforcing the theme of mentorship and empowerment. His message was clear: young leaders must not only strive for success but also uplift others along the way.
Day 4: Lobbying Masterclass
The Lobbying Masterclass event was an essential session for anyone looking to create impactful change in the world of human rights and policy advocacy. Hosted at CEDR, this session provided an in-depth look at the art of lobbying, teaching participants how to influence public policy and advocate for causes that matter.
Lobbying, at its core, is the practice of engaging with decision-makers to influence public policy. It’s a tool that has been used for centuries to effect social, political, and legal changes. Whether it’s pushing for more stringent human rights protections, advocating for gender equality, or addressing issues like climate change, lobbying can create real, lasting impacts.
The masterclass began by breaking down the concept of lobbying—explaining not just what it is, but why it’s essential in promoting social change. Effective lobbying allows individuals and organizations to advocate for marginalized communities, ensuring that policy reflects the needs and rights of these groups.
The masterclass was preceded by an all-star panel that featured some of the most experienced voices in human rights and lobbying, including:
Safiyah Tafadar, Co-founder of GHRH
Mirren Gidda, Barrister at No5 Chambers & former award-nominated journalist with the BBC
Georgiana Epure, Human rights and gender equality advocate
Diana Hysenaj, Campaigner and Activist
After the masterclass, attendees had the chance to network, share ideas, and connect with other aspiring advocates. This time allowed participants to build valuable relationships with fellow activists, creating a community of individuals ready to continue pushing for human rights and social justice.
Day 5: Young Lawyers Symposium
The Young Lawyers Symposium on Day 5 of the Girls Human Rights Festival 2025 was a pivotal event designed to empower and inspire the next generation of legal professionals. With a strong focus on human rights advocacy, this session provided young lawyers and law students with the tools, knowledge, and network to advance social justice through legal channels.
The event kicked off with the opening session, Inspiring the Next Gen: Why It’s Important to Empower Girls’ Human Rights Defenders. Speakers, including GHRH’s Executive Director, Sultana Tafadar, and Ilvana Dedja, Project Officer at GHRH, shared their unique perspectives on the critical role young girls play in human rights defense. Their words emphasized the need for solidarity, mentorship, and empowerment to ensure the voices of girls are amplified on a global scale.
The first plenary session, Human Rights in Practice: What Does Girl Human Rights Work Entail and What Impact Does It Have?, featured experts from various fields of law and advocacy. Notable speakers, such as Shantha David, Head of Legal Services at UNISON, and Harriet Wistrich, Founder of the Centre for Women's Justice, provided first-hand accounts of their tireless work in the pursuit of girls' rights. Their discussions highlighted the diverse challenges young human rights defenders face and the ways in which legal frameworks must evolve to better protect these advocates.
The second plenary session, Essential Skills and Pathways: How to Develop a Career and Practice as a Human Rights Lawyer, was designed to equip the next generation with the tools needed to succeed in the field of human rights law. Speakers, including Shaimaa Al-Mukhtar, Trainee Solicitor at Leigh Day, and Celestine Greenwood, Barrister at Exchange Chambers, offered practical advice on the skills necessary for a career in this sector, as well as the importance of resilience and dedication in this challenging yet rewarding field.
The final plenary, Advocacy Through Law: How Legal Practice and Advocacy Collaborate to Advance Girls’ Human Rights and Drive Systemic Change, offered deep insights into the legal processes that can drive significant societal change. Speakers, including Yasmine Waljee OBE, Alison Eddy, and Philip Rule KC, shared their experiences with landmark cases and how legal advocacy serves as a powerful tool in advancing the rights of girls globally. Their sessions encouraged attendees to leverage the law in the fight for gender equality and human rights.
As the event drew to a close, the closing remarks emphasized the need for continuous efforts to empower girls and young women in the fight for their rights. The event was not only an opportunity to learn from the best but also to be inspired by those who are already shaping the future of human rights law.
Across five transformative days, young activists connected with King’s Counsels, human rights experts, and legal professionals, turning ideas into action. The festival was more than a series of events—it was a movement, strengthening the next generation of advocates dedicated to creating lasting change.
See you next year!