Today's 10-year-old girls, whether they live in developing or developed countries, cities, villages or refugee camps, all have hopes and dreams for the future. But each will face different challenges on their journey to adulthood. When a girl reaches age 10, her world changes. In some parts of the world, a girl on the verge of adolescence sees limitless possibilities ahead. In 2016, we took a glimpse into the lives and aspirations of girls from diverse backgrounds. Today, we follow up with eight of them.

“I like school a lot this year. My favourite subject is history, because it teaches us everything that happened a long time ago and what people did... If I could say anything to people around the world, I’d tell them that I love them.”

“If I could do anything to celebrate my birthday, I would invite all of the girls in my grade to a giant sleepover at my house. We would watch movies and eat a lot of junk food.”

“For fun, I like to play with my girlfriends – to go out and walk with them in our free time. I used to have a best friend, but she got married. I do not have a best friend anymore... If I could tell the world anything, I’d tell people that all my peers should be educated.”

“I wish to visit countries around the world so that people can see my behaviour – see that I am a person who is assertive all the time. I would like them to share their stories with me, as I would share mine with them. And I’d like to be in a group of girls, to comfort those who feel not comforted.”

UNFPA is on the ground in more than 150 countries, working to ensure that young people – especially girls – have the ability to participate in the decisions that most affect them. Because when a girl is able to exercise her rights, stay healthy, complete her education and make choices about her own life, she – and everyone around her – wins. What the world will look like in the future depends on our doing everything in our power to ignite the potential of a 10-year-old girl today.