Author: Ariadna Beneventi, She’s the First Girl Activist Fellow & Girls Advisory Council Member

Two months ago, I had the amazing opportunity to be a delegate for the Chilean delegation for the IX Conference of States Parties for the Belém do Pará Convention the Interamerican Convention to Prevent, Sanction, and Eradicate Violence Against Women. This convention is the biggest women’s rights instrument that punishes forms of violence against women and girls.

My home country, Chile, hosted the convention on the ECLAC/UN side in Santiago. The Women and Gender Equity Minister, Mrs. Antonia Orellana, selected me, among other organization representatives, to be part of the Chilean delegation.

I was at school when I received an email from the Minister. To my disbelief, the application I submitted weeks ago was accepted! I didn’t believe I had a chance because I do not hold any academic degrees and some would say I am “too young” for this kind of event.

Why is the event called Belém do Pará? Because the convention was written in 1994 in the City of Belém in the State of Pará in Brazil. Since then, there have been nine state conferences with the nations affiliated with the convention to promote new modifications and discuss the convention. Last year was the first time I heard about this when Chile won the presidency to host the IX State Conference in 2024.

During an online meeting with the delegation before the state conference, we met to coordinate our roles and discuss the convention's objective. I realized I was the youngest delegate! I was proud to be breaking the narrative of adult-centered spaces.

In-Person Meeting

This conference was held on June 11th and 12th. However, on June 10th, we met with civil society organizations from Inter-American countries. During the first half of the conference, I heard that we could have an opportunity to talk and give our point of view to help build strategies to end violence against women.

 I had the opportunity to talk during the second part of the meeting. I knew I had to use my voice to advocate for key issues I am passionate about. It was important to me to advocate for a nonsexist education—education without gender gaps and stereotypes. I had two minutes to talk. Well, it was only one minute, but one was not enough. I spoke about the need to implement nonsexist education to reduce the rates of gender violence and the need for integral sexual education. Education is the key tool for eradicating gender violence in new generations. We must break all taboos regarding sexual education and nonsexist education and put on the march for the implementation of them at schools. 

I received applause and great feedback from large organizations and activists. We all shared the same perspective on the topic, although we come from different life experiences and cultures. We all know the need for this!

Later that afternoon, the delegation and other civil society organizations had the chance to connect and promote ideas to write a declaration for the conference that would be held the day after. 

Day One of the State Conference

On the first day of the state conference, discussions about advances, challenges, strategies, regional articulations, and analyses regarding the convention took place. On this day, our final declaration was presented.

Day Two of the State Conference

During the last and most important day, I saw the states discussing the accelerator strategies documents. It was impressive to see that! I learned that that day, there were countries that still do not consider transwomen to be women, amongst other things, in their legislation, which I think is a shame. 

Minister Orellana, who is the President between 2023 and 2025 for the state conference, closed the conference. During the closing, she gave me goosebumps because she made a call to the member countries to include girls and teenagers who are victims of gender violence. She called on adults, who have a responsibility to ensure the victims are not alone in a world that still has many cases of gender violence, to focus on building campaigns and policies based on their needs, especially after the pandemic, when girls began to be more exposed to violence and vulnerabilities. I knew I did something right, being the youngest there, representing my generation, and showing the authorities our power because we also have a voice and ideas to work against violence.

After the day ended, I walked away with many ideas to implement in my organization, in my activism, in my future academic career, and in my community. Because I have told my story, you now know the importance of nonsexist education and integral sexual education all over the world or the need to work closely with organizations to promote a life without gender violence. I felt it was also important to bring awareness to this convention and be sure others know they have the power to utilize such an amazing tool to eradicate gender violence.

Learn more about the convention on the Organization of American States website. 

Ariadna, a 19-year-old student and activist from Chile, is a She’s the First Girl Activist Fellow and a member of the Girls Advisory Council. In 2022 at the age of 17, she founded the non-profit organization Intransigentes. This organization empowers and trains youth to be changemakers and promoters of life without gender violence to their peers.