I believe that a better, more just world in which our children and grandchildren will thrive can only be achieved once women and girls of today are empowered and have equal rights. The right to education, to vote and to participate in political processes is crucial. To be able to freely decide to be whoever they want to be and to shape their future free from any form of discrimination and fear from all forms of violence must be our common goal. The idea that progress can be achieved with half of the population not be able to participate fully is not just wrong and unjust; it is inhumane. Gender equality has to be a state of mind.