Katariina, 18, to be Helsinki mayor on Oct 11

The City of Helsinki joins Plan International’s Girls Takeover campaign, in which girls step into the shoes of political, social and economic leaders on the International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October, a day of observance declared by the UN.

Helsinki Mayor Jan Vapaavuori will step aside for a day on 11 October, to be replaced by 18-year-old Katariina Pekkonen, said a press release of the City of Helsinki.

The one-day takeover is part of Plan International’s campaign, which seeks to draw the world’s attention to the discrimination met by girls, and also to the enormous potential possessed by girls.

Girls Takeover will now be organised in Finland for the third time. Last year the girls of Plan International Children’s Board and a young Ugandan activist of Plan International successfully took over nine leadership positions. Globally, girls took over the offices of 2,000 leaders in 70 countries.

This year’s campaign seeks to highlight especially the impact of climate change on girls in developing countries. Therefore the offices to be taken over comprise enterprises and organisations that can influence climate change mitigation with their actions.

In addition to the Helsinki mayor’s office, the offices to be taken over by girls comprise those of the following persons in leadership positions: Member of European Parliament Eero Heinäluoma, Finnish Energy Managing Director Jukka Leskelä, Marimekko CEOM Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko, Trade Union of Education in Finland President Olli Luukkainen, Nordea’s Head of Personal Banking Sara Mella, Ilta-Sanomat Senior Editor-in-Chief Tapio Sadeoja, Anna magazine Editor-in-Chief Emma Koivula, and SRV Group Plc President and CEO Saku Sipola. In addition, a Cambodian activist of Plan International, Hory Toth, will take over the office of Krista Mikkonen, minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

“One of the major issues of justice in our times is how to secure the rights of girls and young women. The takeover is in a good position to wake up people to think about the position and opportunities of girls in Finland and elsewhere in the world. The City of Helsinki continuously promotes gender equality with concrete action, for example, by fixing salaries and wages and through an equality project and plan. The International Day of the Girl Child is a grand way to celebrate our progress, but it also reminds us all that systematic work to promote equality has to be continued, also here in Finland and in Helsinki,” said Helsinki Mayor Vapaavuori.