(WOMENSENEWS) Teen Voices delivers the direct, authentic voices of teen girls through our partnerships with youth serving organizations that work with thousands of girls in Afghanistan, Kenya, Uganda, Morocco, Kenya and the United States. Here, we're celebrating the top partner stories of this year that got you reading and sharing their voices online.
While all the stories speak to the larger issue of human rights of teens, they touch a very personal moment about what it means to be a girl today.
Here are our most read partner stories of the year:
No. 5: Teen's Journey of Acceptance More Than Skin Deep
It was always hard for Girls Write Now teen Rachel Aghanwa to write about her race, but then an ad she saw while traveling in Nigeria made her realize she should see herself as a blessing, instead of a curse.
Read the full story.
No. 4: Girl Describes Life After Taliban Attack of Kunduz
Aida is 14 years old and her world has been irreparably damaged by the Taliban's brief takeover of nearby Kunduz in her home country of Afghanistan.
Read the full story.
No. 3: Girls in Kenya Destigmatize Periods for Peers
Studies report that girls in Kenya miss 3.5 million learning days per month because of a lack of available menstruation products. Here, Daraja Academy student Joyce Wanjiru writes about a friend who inspired her to help all girls in Kenya, one sanitary towel at time.
Read the full story.
No. 2: A Daughter's Love of Her Father Can't Be Locked Up
Teen Ashley Christie struggles with having a dad who is in prison. She said part of the reason she wrote this essay was to "allow him to be a part of my life."
Read the full story.
No. 1: Why Good Girls Never Choose Love in Afghanistan
Even though teen writer Zahra W. says "people don't believe in love" in Afghanistan, for her, life without love is "less sweet."
Read the full story.
