By Isabella Sofia De Gregorio

“They say young women aren’t interested in politics. But what they really mean is we weren’t invited into the room where politics was defined.”

For generations, politics has been framed as something external to us — distant, complex, dominated by men in suits making decisions behind closed doors. If you’re a young woman and feel like politics wasn’t made for you, that’s not your fault. It wasn’t.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t belong there.

When Women Say They’re “Not Political”
Let’s break a myth: young women aren’t apathetic.
According to recent research from the WISE Centre for Economic Justice, 88% of young women say they care deeply about social issues, from gender equality to climate change, reproductive rights to racial justice. And yet, when asked if they’re interested in politics, only 51.4% say yes — compared to nearly 80% of young men.
Why the gap? It’s not about lack of passion. It’s about how we define politics — and who’s been allowed to feel confident enough to claim it.

Confidence is Political
The same study reveals something powerful: young women often don’t feel confident in their political abilities, a phenomenon known as low internal efficacy. In simple terms: we care, but we doubt we’re “qualified” enough to act.
This lack of confidence isn’t accidental. It’s the result of gendered socialisation — where boys are taught to lead, and girls to listen. Where “politics” is presented as a battlefield, not a community. Where assertiveness is admired in men and punished in women.
But here’s what the data also shows: when young women do gain political confidence, they’re likely to participate in even more non-electoral political actions than their male peers. We’re already leading movements — just not in the ways that traditional politics knows how to measure.

Redefining What Politics Looks Like
What counts as “political” has long been defined by institutions that weren’t built with women in mind. But that’s changing. Today, young women are reclaiming politics in new forms:
• Organising protests
• Mobilising communities
• Signing petitions
• Choosing ethical consumerism
• Leading online awareness campaigns
• Building intersectional movements
These are not side activities. They are politics, and they are powerful.

You Don’t Need Permission to Lead
Our campaign, Leading Change: Women in Politics for an Inclusive Future, is built on one core truth: you don’t need to fit into politics. Politics needs to evolve to fit you.
We’re here to:
• Empower young women to build political confidence
• Provide mentorship, tools, and resources
• Redefine civic participation to include the voices and experiences of those who’ve been excluded for too long
• Push for inclusive political reform, like lowering the age of candidacy in the EU and beyond
Because leadership shouldn’t come with an age limit.
Because you shouldn’t have to wait to be heard.
Because you belong in politics. As you are. Right now.

Join the Movement

Are you a young woman aged 18–29 who wants to lead change?
Do you care about democracy, gender equality, and representation?
📣 Get involved in our digital campaign
📩 Sign up for our mentorship programme
📲 Follow us on social media and use the hashtag #LeadingChange
🌍 Help us build a future where all women, everywhere, can take up space in politics — and thrive.

You don’t have to fit in. You’re here to take up space.
This is your voice. This is your power. This is your time.
Discover more HERE.

📢 Disclaimer: Leading Change – Women in Politics for an Inclusive Future is part of the Mediterranean Youth in Action Transformative Narratives programme, implemented by the Anna Lindh Foundation. The programme serves as a platform for young influencers and digital content creators to create meaningful content and lead social media initiatives and awareness campaigns that highlight youth voices, strengthen media narratives, and promote intercultural dialogue across the Euro-Mediterranean region.