Finland may already have the youngest Prime Minister in the world, Sanna Marin, who was sworn in when she was just 34 years old, but for one day, they will have someone even younger. Aava Murto, a 16-year-old Finn, will take over the Prime Minister's seat on the 11th of October for one day as part of the United Nation's 'Day of the Girl'.
While she won't in charge of passing any laws, she will meet various politicians and dignitaries during her day in charge, discussing with them gender equality in the field of technology. Miss Murto is an active campaigner for human rights and issues related to climate change and environmental protection, which went some way in winning her the right to take over the PM's seat.
This is, in fact, the 4th time a young female Finn has taken over for a day to highlight issues important to young people, and in particular young women.
Miss Murto said in a speech:
"It is a pleasure to be speaking here before you today - although, in a way, I wish that I did not have to stand here, that campaigns like the Girls' Takeover were no longer necessary. However, the truth is that we have not yet achieved gender equality - not anywhere on earth. Although we have accomplished a great lot of good in this area, there is still much work that needs to be done."
The UN's 'Day of the Girl', celebrated on October the 11th, was started in 2012 to advance female rights in the workplace, and in terms of medical care, financial freedom and legal rights. The day is also designed to bring attention to the millions of girls around the world who suffer abuse and who are denied a proper education.
The UN states:"Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow's workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders."
Finland is regarded as being among the most progressive nations in the world when it comes to women's rights. It has had 4 female Prime Ministers, including the sitting PM, and the Gender Inequality Index, which measures gender inequality across the world, states that Finland is the 8th most gender equal nation in the world. The United States is ranked at number 41.
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