Maryvale Students Engage in Global Dialogue on Girls’ Rights
In 1995, the United Nations organized a World Conference on Women in Beijing. Participating countries unanimously adopted a plan to advance the rights of not only women but girls. On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world while promoting their empowerment and human rights.
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) were accredited as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) at the United Nations since 2001, using this status to advocate for justice and peace in their global ministries. As a UN-accredited NGO, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) influence policy and raise awareness on issues such as poverty eradication, sustainable development, education, women's and girls' rights, and climate change. They collaborate with other NGOs, share their grassroots field experience, and participate in UN committees to bring about positive systemic change.
On October 7, Kaya S. ’26, Paige T. ’26, and Rory W. ’26 had the opportunity to participate in a unique and valuable collaboration with four other SNDdeN schools, nationally. The meeting was led by Sr. Isabelle Izika, The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur representative to the United Nations. After a welcome and prayer, Sr. Isabelle shared the details of the important and influential relationship between the SNDdeN and the United Nations.
Maryvale met with:
- Notre Dame Academy of Worcester, MA
- Notre Dame Academy of Hingham, MA
- Notre Dame High School, San Jose, CA
- Notre Dame High School, Belmont, CA
Our students beautifully presented an introduction to Maryvale and then spoke to the plight of girls living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan – and the consequent lack of access to education. The lack of education further undermines women’s roles in Afghan society and leads to an unequal, segregated, and impoverished society without women’s meaningful contributions.
“Getting the chance to share our thoughts with other girls our age and learn from their perspectives as well, was such an incredible experience. It opened my eyes to issues I hadn’t known much about, and having meaningful discussions about how we can make an impact as students and as girls was truly unforgettable,” expressed Kaya.
Paige shared, “speaking with SNDeN schools from across the country was a wonderful opportunity to hear different perspectives on women’s issues and rights across the globe and to discuss plans of action. It was so insightful to hear the sad but truthful reality about how some girls and families do not have the privileges that we so often take for granted.”
For Rory, she said “It was very empowering to hear the voices and ideas of girls all over the country. I was reminded of the power women have to create change in the world and of our responsibility to be voices for girls and women who have been silenced”
A special thank you to Carol Fitzsimmons (Theology Department Chair and Faculty Member), Barbara Mantler (Experiential Learning Leader), and Laura Scott (Director, Mitchell Leadership Institute) for supporting the students on this endeavor.
On Thursday, October 9, all advisory classes learned about the International Day of the Girl, why this is an important recognition, and how it aligns with the Maryvale mission. This aligns with our Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Hallmarks, specifically Hallmark #2: We educate for and act on behalf of justice, peace and care for all creation and Hallmark #5: We embrace the gift of diversity. As well as with Catholic Social Teachings, specifically the following:
- Call to Family, Community, and Participation: The family is the cornerstone of society, and all people have a right and responsibility to participate in community and the broader social and economic life of the world.
- Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: A just society is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members; the needs of the poor and marginalized must be prioritized in all policies and actions.
On Friday, October 10, Kaya, Paige, Rory, and Ms. Mantler participated in a girl-led United Nations townhall discussion about current issues. This space prioritized girls, in all their diversity
For many years, the Girls Speak Out has featured Girl Activists’ stories from around the world and reflections and responses by UN dignitaries. This year offered a new format, the townhall discussion. The theme was “We are here – bold, diverse, unstoppable.”
Girls from Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Mexico, Canda, Spain, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom were in attendance. The purpose of the sessions was eloquently stated by one of the students who led the discussion: “building a global movement- demanding a world grounded in justice, equality and dignity for all.”
Many dignitaries were also in attendance, including President Annalena Baerbock (Germany), the President of the General Assembly.
Paige said, “seeing a global community of women come together to spark change is truly incredible. We learned about a variety of topics including identity, access to education and healthcare, violence, and personal testimonies. I believe it is extremely important to be able to speak up about what can be better, and that is exactly what happens when powerful girls and women create opportunities such as the International Day of the Girl to use their voices for change.”
Rory shared she was so happy for the opportunity to watch. She said, “I learned how important it is to support not only women, but girls. Statistics and studies prove that when you invest in a woman, they will return the investment and more, both economically and in the community. Women all around the world are amazing and it is important for us to be united and lift each other up because when we lift one woman up, we lift all women up.”
Maryvale was proud to participate in three separate events leading up to the International Day of the Girl, which is nationally celebrated on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
