As a student at Barnard College, studying political science, I often reflect on how young people, especially girls, see their role in civic life. This past summer, UNICEF USA partnered with Harris Polling to conduct a nationally representative survey of young people ages 14–22 on their perceptions of civic engagement, the issues they prioritize, and how they want to be involved in civic life.

Did you know that only 25% of girls ages 14-17 feel included in the political process (vs. 35% of boys)? Statistics like these further my passion to get girls’ voices heard and supported. Representation is vital in creating a more inclusive society that values unity and diversity.

When I think of the term Gender and Politics, I consider the lack of inclusion and representation of women in high-level spaces. Moments like these remind me why I advocate for gender equity in my daily life. Recognizing women in leadership positions makes me feel seen and motivated to continue my advocacy journey. If I can be that type of motivation for even one girl, I know I am making an impact towards gender equity!

I remember that in elementary school, when I wanted to run for class president, my parents were extremely encouraging of my goal. However, when I learned that there had never been a female president before, I was disheartened by that fact. Thankfully, this didn’t push me away from my goal but rather pushed me further to achieve it. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for every young girl learning these types of statistics, which is why it is important to promote visibility and create pathways for girls to become inspired.

Despite these gaps, optimism is high: 81% of girls 14–17 and 82% of young women 18–22 believe they can make a difference (similar to boys and young men). This optimism gives me hope for the future of gender and politics. Women, like Amanda Gorman, an award-winning poet and activist, and Malala Yousafzai, a champion for girls’ education, and many others, prove that progress is happening! However, it’s important to note that only 37% of girls aged 14–17 and 24% of young women aged 18–22 feel that the country is heading in the right direction, compared to 50% of boys aged 14–17 and 43% of young men aged 18–22. This highlights the severe need to invest in systems that promote girls’ involvement in decision-making spaces! Youth-driven recommendations from the Harris Poll conclude that young people desire opportunities for youth leadership and inclusion of their voices in decision-making and policy development.

 A huge initiative that represents these recommendations is implementing youth advisory boards. For me, joining the UNICEF USA National Youth Council and my local city youth advisory made me feel genuinely heard and represented. Meaningful youth engagement in places of power can make a significant difference in better reflecting the voices of the underrepresented. I know change won’t come easily, but by continuing to advocate for youth in decision-making spaces and by including the voices of girls and women in decisions and policymaking, we can positively shape a political landscape that better reflects the world we live in and the people who will inherit it.

Citation: The Harris Poll. (2025, October). The 2025 UNICEF USA/Harris Poll: How Young People See America Today.