Ketsia Passou

Ketsia is an 18-year-old student and UNICEF youth advocate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In her country, girls and women face multiple barriers such as gender bias. Prejudice is one of the main obstacles to the development of women, girls and society, as they are the catalysts for change and development. She is passionate about raising awareness among young people and the public about issues affecting children and young people around the world, inspiring other young people to take action to make the world a better place and ensuring that the rights of every child are respected.

She participated in the climate issues campaign on international media and also at COP26. With the support of UNICEF, she initiated a campaign called "Bopeto na Kelasi" ("Clean in School") to sensitise pupils and students on waste management and the importance of recycling. She has participated in demonstrations with other climate activities in Kinshasa.

One action Ketsia would like everyone to take:

“I would like the voice of girls to be heard and taken into account and boys to be taught from an early age about equality between women and men so that girls are not considered weak and inferior. That the way we look at girls changes.

I would like to see more young people get involved in activism, it is an effective way to influence decision-makers, to change the narrative by highlighting women's actions.

We can't write the laws, but we can make the law because the many always come first and we are worth more than just being passive recipients.”

Follow Ketsia on Instagram.