This 16-year-old’s voice reaches homes across Guatemala

As an advocate for Rise Up, Alejandra uses radio to address girls’ education, sexual violence and street harassment in Guatemala. Ask Alejandra why she speaks up for girls and she’ll tell you: “I dream of a better Guatemala.” At just 16, Alejandra is an advocate for girls in her country and community of Quetzaltenango. Through Let Girls Lead — Rise Up, she began using radio to speak out against sexual violence and acoso callejero (street harassment).

Rise Up’s Let Girls Lead empowers young leaders and local organizations to guarantee girls’ rights through girl-centered advocacy. Alejandra and others like her are able to spread their message across Guatemala through Rise Up’s programmes.

As part of her advocacy for girls’ rights, Alejandra also campaigns with a network of 25 girl leaders. “Our network empowers girls so that they can ignite change in their communities,” she says.

Malala Fund asked Alejandra about her work and the girl network. Read the full interview here.

Source malala.org