A teenager from Belfast had the incredible opportunity to take over Hillary Clinton's Instagram account to share an important message.
Rachel, 19, is a youth activist and member of Plan International UK’s Youth Advisory Panel. She was able to take over the former United States Secretary of State's Instagram account to talk about girls' political power on International Day of the Girl earlier this month.
She first became involved with local youth activism when she joined the Northern Irish Commission for Children and Young People youth panel (NICCY).
Read more: Belfast young people launch powerful mental health campaign
While here, Rachel learnt more about the United Nation’s Conventions on the Rights of the Child and began thinking of how she could use her position to speak out.
She told Belfast Live: "For several years I focused my efforts through several organisations on reform of mental health services in Northern Ireland, but I always felt like I needed to go further.
"I had worked with Plan International UK back when I was 16 during their nationwide report of girls’ rights, so the moment I heard they were looking for new members on their Youth Advisory Panel, I jumped at the chance."
Rachel said she was overwhelmed with the positive response she received after getting the chance to speak to Hillary Clinton's 5.7 million Instagram followers on October 11.
"Plan International UK has a lot of opportunities for girls and young women to have takeovers, both in person and online, of companies as well as involvement with some incredible people," she added.
"One of our newest campaigns is focused on girls’ political power, which as a law student I was immediately fascinated with. The takeover was actually a joint effort with Plan International USA, which was so fun because I got to know Rohini, who is the American Youth Advisory Panel and also participated in the takeover.
"I know a lot of my friends were amazed to hear a Northern Irish accent on such a big account. I’m still so thankful for all the girls on the Youth Advisory Panel who messaged me because it can be a little nerve wracking to be on such a huge account.
"Like anything on social media, there are always going to be some people who post negative things in the comments, especially on a politician’s social media, but it didn’t dishearten me. Their comments weren’t criticisms of me or Rohini, but often much larger issues.
"I was overjoyed to be able to speak about girls’ political power on such a big platform. I’m so thankful for all of the opportunities Plan International UK has provided for me and the rest of the Youth Advisory Panel."
Hillary Clinton said of the takeover: "Throughout my career I have seen first-hand how girls are discriminated against for being girls – they are told who they should be, what they should look like, and how they should act.
"Despite constant barriers to the corridors of power, girls are taking action. They are raising their voices, demanding a seat at the table and refusing to rest until they have achieved full participation. That’s why I’m joining Plan International UK and thousands of girls around the world on International Day of the Girl to stand up for gender equality."
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