This article was written by Needa Malik, a Plan USA disaster risk manager. For more information on Plan’s work, please reach out to needa.malik@planusa.org.
Localization is now central to every international development and humanitarian organization’s strategy, but its adoption has been slower than expected. This offers an opportunity to realign and ensure we are genuinely shifting power. As we transition to locally led development, how do we ensure that the voices of girls and young people are not diluted, tokenized or ignored? Having just observed International Day of the Girl on Oct. 11, it’s a timely moment to reflect on how centering girls in localization efforts can drive broader, long-lasting change in communities.
Here are three ways we can center girls’ voices in localization efforts — and why doing so benefits entire communities:
1. Support young people — especially girls — by including them in decision-making.
In the recently released 2024 State of the World’s Girls report, a survey of nearly 10,000 children and young people across 10 conflict-affected countries revealed that 65% of young people want greater involvement in peace-building efforts, with 39% specifically favoring girls’ and young women’s participation. Including girls in decision-making strengthens their leadership and is crucial for the resilience of entire communities. Research shows that women’s participation in peace negotiations significantly increases the durability of peace agreements.
Young people bring unique perspectives on how to rebuild after conflict. Their creativity and adaptability can shape more effective development and humanitarian responses. Identifying and creating meaningful opportunities for girls and youth to participate ensures that localized solutions reflect the diverse needs of the entire community, leading to stronger, more sustainable outcomes.
2. Provide targeted, gender-sensitive humanitarian aid.
Ensuring equal access to basic necessities like food, water and shelter is foundational, but prioritizing services for survivors of violence — especially girls and young women — is essential. In the same survey, 59% of young people reported limited or no access to electricity, and 41% had limited access to water. When local communities design and implement programs, barriers to essential services like healthcare and education are reduced, especially for girls and women.
While localization enables swifter responses to both acute crises and protracted conflicts, it’s vital to recognize and address the differing needs across genders, age groups and identities to ensure effectiveness. Girls face specific challenges in conflict, including an increased risk of sexual violence, childcare responsibilities and higher dropout rates from school. Unsurprisingly, the survey highlights significant emotional distress among conflict-affected youth, with girls reporting more severe impacts than their male counterparts. Many report sleep disruptions, constant worry and limited access to mental health and sexual and reproductive health services. Girls and young women are especially vulnerable, with 38% of young people feeling unsafe and 27% of girls identifying sexual violence as a constant threat.
By providing access to mental health and psychosocial services for girls and young women, we can create a ripple effect that improves well-being across entire communities. When girls are supported, they contribute more effectively to rebuilding efforts — ultimately benefiting everyone.
3. Invest in the well-being and leadership of girls.
Prioritizing girls’ needs leads to better outcomes for entire communities. Programs focused on girls’ mental health, education and protection from violence help them recover and thrive, while simultaneously strengthening community resilience. These initiatives create safe spaces for community healing, fostering sustainable, long-term recovery and community growth.
Mentoring girls and helping to deepen their leadership skills are essential to promoting inclusivity and bridging generational gaps. By investing in girls’ leadership, we support their ability to participate in decision-making and tackle local challenges from a position of strength. This builds a more inclusive, resilient and innovative environment that supports long-term development goals.
When girls are given the tools and opportunity to lead, they contribute to stronger, more equitable communities. Investing in girls not only transforms their lives but strengthens the fabric of society, laying the foundation for sustainable development.
It takes an extra step to include girls’ and young people’s voices in localization efforts, but it is the only way to ensure sustainable, long-lasting transformation. Successful localization requires amplifying the voices of those often overlooked, creating culturally relevant solutions that drive positive change. By centering girls and youth in localization efforts, communities can challenge existing social norms, promote equality and dismantle barriers. When girls and young people are engaged in localization, they are more likely to invest in and advocate for their communities in the long run, ensuring lasting, positive change.
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