Today, 11 October, marks the 10th anniversary of the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl. FT editor Roula Khalaf is among the public figures partnering with Plan International UK for its ‘Girls Takeover’. In celebration and recognition of the power of girls, the initiative supports girls across the UK to take over positions across the worlds of business, media, technology and politics.
Niamh, 16, was welcomed by Roula Khalaf to experience life at the helm of the FT during an unprecedented period of economic instability in the UK, geopolitical crisis and war in Ukraine. Niamh joined the daily news conference meetings, met one-on-one with Roula and learned about video journalism and audience engagement, including how the FT is working to attract more female readers.
Niamh said: “Roula being the first female editor of the Financial Times is incredibly inspiring to me, and when talking with her I was able to understand what it takes to be an editor but also how the industry is adapting and constantly developing to better suit and attract women.”
FT editor Roula Khalaf said: "Young women continue to face disproportionate challenges when having their voices heard in politics, media, finance and more. Taking part in this year's Day of the Girl was an important part of the FT's commitment to enhance gender diversity both as a business and in our reporting. It was a pleasure to welcome Niamh to the newsroom and hear her views on the global news agenda."
Plan International UK CEO Rose Caldwell said: “As we celebrate ten years of International Day of the Girl, I’m truly inspired to see girls taking over across the worlds of business, media, entertainment, and politics. Girls tell us they want a seat at the table, but all too often they are undervalued, undermined, and underestimated. Today’s takeovers prove there is growing commitment to championing equal power and gender equality.”
Other leaders involved in the initiative include Hillary Clinton – who is handing over her Instagram account and its 5.7 million followers to girls from the UK and US to talk about girls’ political power – astronaut Tim Peake, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, as well as organisations including AstraZeneca and Office of National Statistics.
For more information about Girls’ Takeover, visit plan-uk.org/poweredbygirls. Read the full announcement from Plan International UK here.
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For more information about the initiative, contact:
Mark Staniland, Financial Times | mark.staniland@ft.com
Laura MacLeman | Plan International UK laura.macleman@plan-uk.org
About the Financial Times
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of 1.2 million, more than one million of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.