Meet our Youth Activists for 2022

Bettina is a young activist who has always dreamed of an equal society. Ever since she was little, Bettina has stood up for those around her and fought for what she believed in. Bettina has attended many protests, including the School Strike for Climate Change in 2019 and the March4Justice protest outside of Parliament House, Canberra, during 2021. Bettina
is still learning about activism, and is very grateful for all those that have taken a chance on her. Bettina hopes that they will be able to make a difference and enjoy life, at least when she finishes her homework.

Christina is born in Melbourne and is a 2nd year university student studying Business and Law. She is studying Spanish with the aim of working at the United Nations in the future.  She is passionate about gender justice and human rights issues and hope they can make a difference.

Dani is a grass-roots organiser and sexual assault survivor-advocate based in Sydney, Australia. She campaigns for legislative and institutional action against sexual violence and support for victim-survivors of sexual violence.

Dani has served as a Girl Up Teen Advisor where she advocated for improved legal literacy for girls and women and an end to gender-based violence globally. She is also a climate justice activist and has served as an organiser for School Strike for Climate since 2019.

As a Plan International Youth Activist, Dani strives to champion young victim-survivors, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, in the hopes of seeing a world where everyone is truly safe from gender-based violence.

Emily is in her final year of a Masters of International Relations and Masters of Security and Strategic Studies. She has an interest in foreign languages and cultures, a passion for environmentalism, and a drive to see a better future for her generation. She hopes to see more collective action addressing gender inequality and climate change.

Grace is currently studying a Bachelor of International Studies (Development) and French at university. She is passionate about climate justice, gender equality and ensuring all children have access to quality education. Being adopted has shaped Grace’s interests and she hopes to pursue a career in international development and work in Vietnam. She currently works with Plan International Australia in the Donor Consultant Team and was inspired to be part of the YAS to elevate youth voices and advocate for girls’ rights to be protected globally.

Gracie is currently studying a double degree in a Bachelor of Business majoring in Business Law and Marketing Communications, alongside a Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (problem solving). Within her Business Law major, she focuses on environmental law and international policy electives, while also undertaking French outside of university. She wants to make a difference in the world through climate action, biodiversity and animal protection, and in her spare time enjoys film, visual design, and writing

Iremide is currently studying International Relations, with a keen focus on development. She is passionate about climate activism – and about highlighting solutions that exist across all levels of society. Currently engaged in a community led farming initiative, which is aimed at increasing the involvement of immigrants and refugees in sustainable farming, she has seen the power of collective action at work.

She is committed to raising awareness around the experiences of Indigenous peoples, people of colour, women and children, and other marginalised communities. She believes it is vital these profiles are raised, given the disproportionate effect climate change has on these groups.

In her spare time, Iremide loves to dance – you’ll find her grooving along to the latest Afrobeats and Dancehall rhythms!

Jan is an international student from Malaysia who grew up most of their life in Brunei. They are disabled and identify as queer, trans/non-binary/genderfluid and a Person of Colour. They are currently studying Bachelor of Arts, Psychology at the University of Melbourne.

They are passionate in intersectional feminism and have advocated for social justice including refugee rights, Aboriginal rights and climate justice. They will be commencing their internship at Multicultural Women Victoria as a Project Officer to continue advocating for female refugees and migrants.

As a Youth Activist, Jan is looking forward to empower women and girls’ rights as well as gender equality for all marginalized genders. Their hobbies include drawing, singing, acting, reading and writing fiction.

Janice is a university student in Southwest Sydney and studies Politics, Industrial Relations and Socio-Legal Studies. She is passionate about social justice and tackling the inequalities of our contemporary world, and is a firm believer in providing spaces and platforms for all people to share their perspectives. Janice is also interested in the power of storytelling as a tool to connect with people and in her spare time, enjoys volunteering at AIME and Democracy in Colour, painting and reading.

Through the YAS, Janice hopes to learn more about effective ways to tackle gender injustices in a context where the voices of women and non-binary people, especially from diverse backgrounds, are often overlooked. She is excited to work with a team of dedicated, young individuals and can’t wait to see what change they make throughout the year!

While finishing off her High School studies, Jemma is already campaigning for gender justice and greater youth voice. Her vision is a future where equity is inclusive and accessible for all, a goal she looks forward to supporting through working with Plan International.

As an emerging activist, she is passionate about raising awareness on issues affecting women and girls, the LGBTQIA+ community, and victim/survivors of gender based violence. Jemma has received a grant to develop a project providing aid to Canberrans escaping domestic and sexual violence. She also volunteers in several college and community initiatives, including a global youth education program, and a youth advisory group at a local non-profit.

As a YAS, Jemma hopes to improve girls’ access to education, enable more diverse feminist representation, and eliminate gender based violence. In her spare time, Jemma is probably studying or catching up with friends.

Reflections from Plan International Australia Youth Activist Jemma Rule, on a recent trip to Canberra.

With International Day of the Girl and Mental Health Day running side-by-side this year in October it is a good time to look at what it means to be a neurodiverse young woman in Australia.

One in five young women in Australia feel less safe at night, compared to before the pandemic. But together with L’Oreal Paris, our Youth Activists are taking a stand – and helping others to do the same.

Right now, our nation’s Parliament does not represent the diversity of communities across Australia and 72% of young Australian women do not feel politics is an equal or inclusive space for them.