Linda Barry – Women Deliver
2020

Linda Barry

  • Age: 27
  •    |   She/her/hers

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Meaningful engagement of young people, and girls and young women in particular, is part and parcel of achieving gender equality and a more just and equitable world.

- Linda Barry

Bio

Linda is a Guinean-Dutch young feminist passionate about social justice, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and meaningful youth participation with a demonstrated history in youth-led programming, human rights, and international development. Linda is known for her enthusiasm and commitment to fostering equitable, inclusive, and anti-colonial spaces & partnerships. She received a Master of Science in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology from Leiden University. As a programme officer for girls’ rights at Defence for Children-ECPAT The Netherlands, she supports the coordination and management of ongoing international programs in the area of girls’ rights, meaningful and inclusive youth engagement and gender equality. Additionally, Linda is a member of the supervisory board of the Dutch Young Climate Movement (de Jonge Klimaatbeweging) and a volunteer fundraiser at the Guinean organisation Action pour les Droits de L’enfant et la Protection de l’environnement.

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What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?

My pursuit for gender equality was ignited in 2013 when I worked with Congolese human rights lawyer, and women’s rights advocate Irène Esambo during my shelter city internship at Justice and Peace The Netherlands. Her incredible work ethic, resilience, and fearless advocacy for women’s rights inspired me. However, the seeds to resist the patriarchy were instilled in me long before that by my mother — a survivor of female genital cutting and early forced marriage — she did everything to ensure I would not be subjected to similar injustices. She is my daily inspiration.

Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.

I co-organized and facilitated a global youth meet-up of 23 gender equality youth advocates from Africa and Asia in The Netherlands. The meet-up consisted of a week-long of linking and learning, capacity exchanges, skill-building, joint strategizing and advocacy.

Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?

I love reading, dancing, and connecting with people.

Languages Spoken:

  • Dutch (Advanced/Native)
  • English (Advanced/Native)
  • Poular/Fulani (Advanced/Native)
  • French (Intermediate)

Publications:

Speaks On:

  • SGBV
  • meaningful youth engagement
  • HIV/AIDS
  • maternal health

Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:

  • Utrecht University Summer School Reproductive & Maternal Health: A Global Perspective (2019)
  • Winter Course University of Amsterdam: Health & Human Rights in Cross-Cultural Perspective (2018)
  • International Human Rights Mechanisms & Youth Participation in Geneva (2017)
  • University College Utrecht East Africa Educational Programme (2014-2015)
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