In Latin America and the Caribbean, violence against girls is not uncommon.
To address the growing threat of online violence against girls, Tejiendo Redes Infancia and Together for Girls organised "Connected for Change," a regional gathering for girls and young women focused on girls' digital rights and advocacy.
Dharma had been interested in human rights since she was little. She began her journey as an activist at the age of 12, after witnessing injustices at her school in San Luis Potosí, Mexico—especially the unequal treatment of girls.
It was her mother who encouraged her to get involved in defending rights. While it all seemed exciting at first, she soon faced a harsh reality: she often felt unheard. And when she did manage to speak her mind, many people doubted that her ideas were really hers. They couldn’t believe that someone her age could have such clear thoughts or speak with such confidence.
But this time would be different
Since late 2023, Dharma has been part of the Niñas Poderosas ("powerful girls" in Spanish) project from Tejiendo Redes Infancia and Together for Girls. After a series of workshops, she developed her Digital and Community Seed project, “Nueva FEM,” an initiative aimed at strengthening the empowerment and leadership of girls, adolescents, and young women.
“Connected by Change: Digital Empowerment, Info-activism, and Data Use for Niñas Poderosas and Women Leaders” was a gathering of adolescents and young women aged 13 to 23, along with women leaders from the network of Niñas Poderosas ally organizations.
It was held in November 2024 in Antigua, Guatemala, and aimed to create an intergenerational space for sisterhood and collective action.
Participants from Argentina, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic shared their experiences with the challenges they face in their communities and explored new ways to turn the digital world into a tool for promoting girls' rights and gender equality.
“Niñas Poderosas has transformed me. It's a safe space where girls can truly be themselves without fear, where they are genuinely listened to, where they can share what they feel, dream, and experience. Girls learn, but they also teach. It’s a space where every girl can be the protagonist of her story, shine, and be a beacon of hope for others.”
Karla, 23, México
Technology with purpose: Girls at the heart of change
The regional gathering, which was held in a hybrid format, aimed to center girls, adolescents, and young women as leaders of their communities and agents of change by strengthening their ability to use digital tools to advocate for human rights, especially gender equality and a life free from violence.
“Female empowerment gives us confidence, security, leadership—and helps us achieve self-realization. It allows us to become a little more independent each day and reach any goals we set.”
Ailen, 21, Argentina
One of the most widely discussed subjects at the event was digital violence. Bullying and cyberbullying are daily realities for many girls. 58% of adolescent girls in the region have experienced online harassment, mainly on social media. Offensive comments, threats, and the non-consensual sharing of images are some of the most common forms of digital violence.
That's why the participants discussed practical strategies to protect themselves and others:
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Limit how much personal information they share online
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Activate safety settings on social media and digital platforms
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Raise awareness among families and teachers about digital risks and how to respond to them
Violence against girls is not a rarity in Latin America and the Caribbean
Other data sources, like the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) in Colombia, Honduras, Haiti, and El Salvador, show how gender-based violence in Latin America and the Caribbean often begins at a young age and is worsened by factors such as poverty, discrimination, and digital exclusion.
For example, VACS findings show that girls experience sexual violence more frequently. These experiences have long-term negative impacts on health and social well-being, including psychological distress, school absenteeism, and unwanted pregnancy.
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The findings from these surveys are a clear call to collective action to ensure girls and adolescents are heard, protected, and empowered.
Using the power of data for Niñas Poderosas' projects
During the gathering, participants learned how to interpret data and turn statistics into impactful messages. They also reflected on how data can be a key ally in demanding public policies that address their realities.
Artificial intelligence (AI) was also a topic of discussion, with a focus on how gender stereotypes often reflect the patriarchal biases embedded in society. Participants were encouraged to explore AI and use it as a tool to boost their activism and advocate for the digital rights of girls and young women.
“I learned about topics I had never even heard of—like sexist biases in artificial intelligence.”
Danna, 17, Colombia
Planting seeds: Projects led by powerful girls
One of the most exciting moments was the presentation of the Digital and Community Seeds—projects developed by Niñas Poderosas participants that address topics like menstrual health, gender-based violence prevention, girls' leadership, ecofeminism, comprehensive sex education, and digital rights.
“Niñas Poderosas helped me connect with other young women who also want to change their environment. My digital and community seed was born out of a desire to inspire more girls to stay in school and break the gender gap.”
Valentina, 18, Mexico
Each presentation was a showcase of creativity, commitment, and leadership. Despite challenges—like lack of funding or adult skepticism—these initiatives continue to gain momentum. Most importantly, they are building alliances, crossing borders, and weaving networks that promise to keep growing.
“Niñas Poderosas and my Digital Seed ‘ScienceGirls’ have been a profound awakening in my life: it’s where I grew, discovered myself, and realized that I’m part of the change I want to see—and that my leadership can inspire others too.”
Abril, 17, Mexico
The event concluded with the reading of the Declaration of the Niñas Poderosas International Gathering in Antigua, Guatemala, drafted by Niñas Poderosas participants themselves. In it, they demand public policies that protect girls and adolescents in digital spaces, access to education with a gender equity approach, and a genuine commitment from governments and society to end all forms of violence.
Connected by Change was a powerful reminder that girls shouldn’t just be part of the conversation—they should lead it. Their voices are not the future—they are the present. Technology, data, and digital activism become powerful tools when placed in the hands of those fighting for a more just world and the human rights of girls, adolescents, and young women.
“For me, being part of Niñas Poderosas meant discovering that my voice has power. Thanks to my digital seed ‘Girls Transforman,’ I learned that I can transform realities—starting in my own community, using social media.”
Melany, 16, Guatemala
Dharma didn’t just attend the gathering in Guatemala—she also had the opportunity to represent Mexican and Latin American youth at the Japan Peace Summit 2025, where she received the Young Innovator Award.
Just like Dharma, each of the Niñas Poderosas participants who attended the gathering returned to their communities with a clear mission: to continue advocating for and promoting the rights of girls, adolescents, and women. But this time, they weren’t alone—they returned empowered and connected to a regional support network that believes in their power, respects their voice, and stands with them.
“All the experiences I’ve had with Niñas Poderosas—webinars, workshops, discussions, networking events, and the gathering in Guatemala—were things that, at the time, felt like big challenges. But now I see that they bore fruit—even in Japan, on the other side of the world. I wouldn’t have the digital tools I have today if it weren’t for Niñas Poderosas.”
Dharma, 18, Mexico
For more information, follow #niñaspoderosas or visit tejiendoredesinfancia.org/ninaspoderosas
Tejiendo Redes Infancia is a network of 22 civil society organizations and coalitions across 12 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.