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My first experience working with GWL Voices was during my first semester at The New School in New York City. I was immediately drawn to GWL Voices’ mission and felt immensely inspired by its members as it resonated with my research in areas of conflict, security, and gender. During the first Her Turn event I attended, when Maria Fernanda Espinosa and Jessie Rose Mabutas sat with our program, I felt the weight of pursuing a career in politics as a young woman wash off.
They made me feel that regardless of how intimidating and limiting the field can appear, there is room for women’s voices at the table–and that does not exclude young women.
Months later, and thanks to GWL Voices, I was fortunate enough to attend the Fourth Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development. In coordination with Juli Blasco and Evanna Corona, I attended side events–in addition to the general schedule–pertaining to gender and climate inclusivity in the final outcome document. This experience involved going to the United Nations Headquarters all week and interacting with women leaders from all over the world. Although at moments I felt intimidated by being one of the youngest participants, I felt immensely supported by GWL Voices at all times.
Later on, over the summer and along with three other young women from The New School, we a helped prepare GWL Voices’ report on women’s representation in local executive positions (Mayorships and Governorships) in 6 countries in Latin America (Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic). Our work consisted mainly of data analysis and visualization, thus taking a closer look and working with recent data accurately portraying the progress of women in leadership positions in Latin America.
We were later invited to assist with several events at the Ford Foundation including the presentation of GWL Voices’ 2025 Women in Multilateralism Report and later the Madam Secretary General campaign. These events were inspiring to participate in, and they created pathways for us to connect with leaders and get a sense of what the field is in need of–more women in leadership positions. We learned about the role of women in decision making and peacekeeping, the importance of gender approaches to conflict, and the impact all of these factors can have on policy making. That same week we attended the Environmental Justice: Gender Equality + Women's Rights at Nuveen, an event hosted by GWL Voices on climate justice.
Most excitingly, I was able to attend the 2026 GWL Voices Dialogue in Madrid, Spain. Along with 13 other students from around the world, I attended both days of the conference as part of the Her Turn initiative and as a Young Rapporteur. We were invited to participate by directly engaging with each of the panels by asking the first questions. Additionally, we worked on preparing executive summaries and reflections on topics that were discussed at the conference. Besides sitting through world-moving and inspiring conversations, we were able to sit down on several instances for coffee breaks with GWL Voices members. These conversations allowed us to connect in both professional and personal ways. Members including Kate Gilmore, Jan Beagle, Flavia Bustreo, Irena Vojackova, and Maria Eugenia Brizuela de Avila, answered our questions pertaining to development, climate, and conflict, but also pertaining to launching our careers as young women, navigating male-dominated spaces, and starting a family alongside leading a successful career.
Through working continuously with GWL Voices, I have learned that there is an urgent need for more women in politics to create a multilateral world that addresses the entire population, and not just 50% of it. I can confidently say that GWL Voices is doing the work of creating pathways for young women in politics.