As a first-year college student, transition is both an expected and necessary part of the undergraduate process. For me, entering a co-ed academic space was one of the most significant adjustments after attending an all-girls school from 6th to 12th grade. This past summer, UNICEF USA partnered with Harris Poll to conduct a survey examining how young people across the United States perceive their voice and whether space is being made for them to express their views, and how they feel they are being heard by leaders. The poll data reflects my personal experience transitioning to a co-ed academic space and what I observed in my classes.

At my high school, girls’ perspectives were central to academic discussions. Because of this, I always felt empowered to speak up in the classroom and extracurricular spaces. The women around me were outspoken, involved, and expressive. However, in college, especially in courses with a majority of first-year students, I noticed that young women feel greater pressure to perfect their thoughts before speaking up compared to young men. Young women feel that in order to be heard, we first need to be perfect.

Girls feeling unheard extends beyond academic spaces; there are parallels of what I see in my college classroom playing out in society. While both boys and girls feel less included in political processes, the Youth Poll shows that only 22% of girls aged 14-17 feel included compared to 29% of boys. This disparity only increases with age. Only 26% of young women aged 18-22 feel included compared to 40% of young men.

I experienced this gender “culture shock” before coming to college.

In the summer after my junior year of high school, I participated in a Model UN conference. After each delegate delivered their speeches, we were given time to deliberate and draft resolutions. In our small groups, I noticed that boys were dominating the conversation. They spoke first. There was little time left for others. By our second deliberation session, I was determined to ensure everyone felt they had the same platform to speak up. Instead of trying to control the conversation, I decided to ask the delegates who had been mostly silent for their perspectives. In the end, this was important, not just because it was the fair thing to do, but also because every delegate casting a vote had space to share their voice, and the confidence that they’d be listened to.

This experience taught me that for every member of our society to feel heard, they must feel like they can speak up in the first place. There has to be an environment that respects their voice and participation. Just as importantly, I left feeling empowered, knowing there are real ways to close this inclusion gap between boys and girls. Young women nationwide feel this too. In fact, we have a real opportunity because more than 80% of girls said that they believe that people their age can make a difference.

So how do we ensure that young women are being heard? To me, the most important thing is to value each perspective equally. For our local and national leaders, this means taking all youth seriously and ensuring we all have the platform to be heard. In the poll, youth shared they would like their leaders to understand youth views and consider the impact of legislation on young people. Youth simply want a seat at the table, and to know we’re being seen and understood.