The G(irls)20 Delegate Representing Young French Women from Overseas

Lamia Mounavaraly is this year’s G(irls)20 delegate for France who has found her feminism and empowers young women living in her community in the French territory, La Réunion.

Lamia told G(irls)20 that, “I've been on my way to feminism for a few years now, quietly, and the Summit has been a major push in this process, in just a few months I gained lots of confidence in my beliefs, ideas and in myself.”

Since Lamia’s recent return home, she has seen and felt the many ways in which her participation at the Global Summit has been received by the media and how it has changed the confidence of young women and girls in her community.

Lamia said “I was really surprised by the media’s interest in me and my story because there has always been a lack of representation, in national and international authorities, of people from the overseas territories and I suffered from it. Growing up, I did not have role models or young women to refer to so the fact that I would represent not only La Réunion, not only the overseas territories, but France at this Summit was seen as a huge accomplishment in my community.”

After hearing her story, we’ve asked Lamia to share what it was like returning home.

“[Young women’s] voices are finally being heard and the whole island is taking great pride in it. Coming back home and going to high schools, where I was 5 years ago, to talk about gender equality was the culminating point of this crazy year. I was overwhelmed by all the love, interest and support coming from both young girls and boys in our work and hearing "thanks to your presentation, I think I gained a bit of confidence in myself" is exactly the reason why I decided to apply to the Summit. I hope I'll be able to develop my initiative and keep inspiring young girls from my territory to never be limited in their ambition. This is just a start!"

Lamia’s story is much like the story of many of our Global Summit delegates who come from communities where they’ve felt unseen, unheard or have experienced hardships. Following the Summit, delegates are encouraged to take their experience and use it to develop a social impact initiative or advocacy back home.

In this way, the delegates work to ensure that girls and young women are no longer held back because of their gender.

Follow the links below to read more about Lamia’s story.