KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 5 A 16-year-old Nepali girl symbolically took over the role of director of social affairs at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretariat for a day on Tuesday as part of a campaign promoting girls' leadership and rights. Kriti, vice-president of an adolescent club in Siraha, took over the role of SAARC Director for Social Affairs Shahiya Ali Manik as part of Plan International's Girls Takeover initiative. The programme was organised by Plan International Asia Pacific with support from Plan International Nepal. Kriti has been involved in promoting girls' education, preventing child marriage, raising health awareness and advocating for girls' rights through community initiatives. Through the Ujjwal Bhawishya Project, implemented by Samagra Jan-Utthan Kendra in partnership with Plan International Nepal, she is developing leadership skills and raising awareness about child marriage and discrimination. During the symbolic takeover, Kriti learned about leadership and decision-making at the SAARC Secretariat and visited the SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre in Bhaktapur, where she interacted with officials about regional efforts to prevent tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. 'Child marriage should never define a girl's future. Every girl deserves the freedom to learn, lead and make her own choices,' Kriti said. She has pledged not to marry early and has been encouraging other girls in her community to speak out against child marriage. Manik said the SAARC Secretariat supported the regional Girls Takeover initiative to promote girls' participation and ensure their voices contribute to a more inclusive and equitable South Asia. The Girls Takeover campaign is being organised in 15 countries across the Asia-Pacific region this year, with adolescent girls taking symbolic leadership roles in government offices, diplomatic missions and private institutions. The initiative is part of Plan International's global campaign linked to the International Day of the Girl Child, observed on October 11.