ENGAGING ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND BOYS IN ACHIEVING GENDER EQUALITY AND COMBATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

FHI 360, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Plan International USA, Social Development Direct, MenEngage Alliance, George Washington University's Global Women’s Institute, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Peace Corps, presented the fourth global Gender 360 Summit in Washington, D.C. on 15-16 June 2016. The Gender 360 Summit was designated as an official side event to the White House United State of Women Summit, which took place on 14 June 2016.

The 2016 summit spotlighted important development issues affecting adolescent girls and boys. Speakers from around the world - including adolescent girls and boys, youth activists and development experts - convened to support adolescents' empowerment and leadership, addressed core obstacles such as gender-based violence and came up with tangible solutions to help advance gender equality. The summit provided a space for international development experts to better understand adolescent girls’ and boys' challenges, strengths and priorities and to discover ways to support their empowerment and partnership. In parallel, it will provided adolescent girls and boys a space to learn, network, be heard and help shape the international development agenda on issues that matter to them most.

Speakers included Amb. Catherine M. Russell, U.S. Department of State; Dr. Tessie San Martin, PLAN International USA; Susan Markham, USAID; Aldijana Sisic, UN Women; adolescent girl and boy ambassadors; young human rights advocates; and implementers from the global south.