“You define your worth, not the world. Be the voice that reshapes the narrative.” – Malala Yousafzai When 14-year-old Maria stepped into high school, her vibrant personality and dreams of becoming an artist made her a joy to be around. However, endless scrolling through perfectly filtered social media posts left her questioning her worth. Maria began skipping meals, hoping to emulate the “ideal” bodies she saw online. Her story isn’t unique, it’s the lived reality of millions of teenage girls worldwide, struggling to reconcile their self-worth with societal expectations. Body image and self-esteem issues are not just personal struggles; they are systemic problems that impact mental health, career aspirations, and overall quality of life for teenage girls. Addressing these challenges isn’t merely about reshaping individual perspectives—it’s about changing societal norms and providing a foundation for young girls to thrive authentically. The Alarming Reality A 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report…

By Tanya Maswaure

We are all raised in different ways and in different houses. Everyone has their values and priorities, and sometimes your preferences may not align with those around you. This is why conflicts are inevitable. Some people think that if you have a dispute with someone, then you both are not meant to be friends, but actually, that’s hardly ever the case. Arguments are bound to happen even in families where everyone was raised under the same roof, with the same values. There is no way of absolutely avoiding conflict amongst your friends, which is why you need to learn how to navigate through them.

Goodnews Lekpea

Growing up, I struggled with turning down people’s requests. I was a people pleaser.

I was the only one tasked to check up on the others among my peers. Whatever responsibility shared amongst us, I bore the heaviest; that was because I didn’t know how to tell them I could not. It was completely draining. But I didn’t know how to turn them down.

A child’s identity begins the moment they are born; however, the teenage phase is a defining period. In this phase, critical decisions that will affect and shape their identities into adulthood will be made. One of such is the frequently asked question, “What will you want to be when you grow up?” Parents play a crucial role when it concerns kids’ aspirations of what they want to be. The adolescent age is where self-limiting thoughts can appear especially for girls, but the parent can help keep the passion of the teenage girl in check through conversations and creating the right opportunities.