It was an early morning call to action for a breakfast panel event celebrating ten years of International Day of the Girl with Plan International Australia and Future Women. But early starts are made easy when shared over fruit and frittatas… and they are made purposeful when the subject for discussion is how to build a better future for girls of the future. “If we can unlock the power of the ten year old girl, they hold the key to change,” said Plan International Australia CEO Susanne Legena. “We have to catalyse that girl.” “From the inspiring and defiant young women and girls protesting in Iran right now, those leading climate justice movements in schools and on the streets, to the brave and determined young women fighting to be heard in politics – and demanding that politics to be safe and equal – when girls are freed from societal restrictions around gender everyone benefits”. Susanne’s words kicked off the morning’s celebrations and discussions, before a panel of inspiring individuals were introduced to discuss the change they’re fighting for today. “My life is inherently political,” Elly Desmarchelier told a sea of tables at the Sheraton Melbourne on Tuesday morning. Elly was a disability advocate long before she’d ever heard of the term, or knew what it meant. While she relishes the role she plays today, Elly also says that taking up this work was never really a choice for her. 

“When I was in the classroom, I knew that cuts to teacher aides would affect me more than it would affect the other kids in the classroom. Every political decision had a much bigger impact on my life as a disabled girl than it did on girls without disability. I felt a real injustice from that. So I wanted to change it.”

The breakfast ended with a special musical performance from Clare Bowditch. “I’m going to make you do something you’re not comfortable with,” she grinned, strumming the opening of her iconic song, Woman. 

“I want you to stand up and sing along.”