Photo story: Focusing on girls’ political participation in Peru

April 12, 2023

For too long, girls and women in Peru have been shut out of the rooms where important conversations are happening — and where decisions that will affect their lives are made. Their voices have been ignored and even silenced.

Now, a new generation of young women is boldly making their voices heard. They’re not just asking for a seat at the table. They’re demanding access to the decision-making spaces that shape their futures and the world around them.

Plan International asked 20 young women in Peru to capture an image that represents the challenges girls face when they try to engage in politics. Their photographs were displayed at the Cultural Center of Fine Arts in Lima, in an exhibition titled “Here we are: Girls’ voices for political participation.”

Eight smiling women standing in a large room preparing to cut a blue ribbon.
Several of the photographers attended the grand opening event and helped to cut the ribbon for their exhibition.

Each photograph was accompanied by a QR code, which people could use to hear an audio caption read by the photographer. The girls also wrote their own manifesto, which was displayed on a giant piece of paper that hung from ceiling to floor. They also worked together to create a mural that tells the story of the past, present and future of girls’ rights in Peru.

A colorful mural on a brown wall with the message: “Nothing without girls; everything with girls” in Spanish.
The photographers’ mural displayed at the Cultural Center of Fine Arts in Lima.

Here are five of the photographs featured at the exhibition, along with the photographers’ hopes for the future, in their own words.

Giuliana, 17

A girl wearing a pink sweatshirt with a fake mustache and goatee painted on her face holds up her arms and smiles at the camera.
Photograph taken by Guiliana, 17.

“Many adults, because of our young age, consider us to be the future of the country, but it is time to realize that we are also the present. Much is expected of us in the future, but they do not recognize our ability to act now … We are tired of the patriarchal norms and thoughts that define our lives, tired of being underestimated and ignored. Isn’t it time to achieve equality in power?”

Jhussahara, 17

A girl’s eyes and nose are visible looking through a rectangular hole in a brick wall, looking directly at the camera.
Photograph taken by Jhussahara, 17.

“This photo represents for me how a mold is imposed on girls in various aspects of their lives, and the bewilderment I feel about the limited formal spaces for their political participation. Also, the risk of remaining behind such a wall; behind such a limiting frame. While it is difficult to challenge the ideas of others about who you are, it can be done.”

Sari, 16

A girl with long hair in two braids and a pink striped shirt sits on the ground next to a light brown dog.
Photograph taken by Sari, 16.

“All girls and women dream of being able to take power from a young age to achieve big changes, such as promoting gender equality. We have the necessary inspiration, the capacity for leadership and should not let anyone or anything stop us because we are all valuable.”

Joselyn, 15

A girl wearing black tights and boots steps on a cell phone, which is perched on a yellow curb.
Photograph taken by Joselyn, 15.

“Cyberspace is a powerful tool, but it is also full of stereotypes and can be prejudiced. But we have the desire to break the paradigms of society, with firm steps that build unbreakable foundations. This starts with us, when we decide to take action in the spaces of participation to leave it to the next generations of girls.”

Damaris, 15

A girl in a colorful red top with a ruffle neck holds her fist in the air.
Photograph taken by Damaris, 15.

“Girls from the coast, highlands and jungle have the right to political participation where our diversity and our capacity to analyze the problems we face every day in our society is valued. We reflect strength, resilience and, above all, leadership. Participating in politics is representation and inspiration for more girls and adolescents throughout Peru. We demand more girls and adolescents in the political world!”