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What’s it like to be a 16-year-old girl in Kenya?

Meet Monica from Nairobi, Kenya:

Monica describes herself as kind, helpful, and passionate about reading and girls’ education. She attends a boarding school eight hours away from her home in the hopes of one day becoming a journalist. She loves her country, saying that “Kenya is a beautiful country, beautiful people.”

Monica is part of TakePart’s 16 in ‘16, a video project that profiles 16 teens who will turn 16 in 2016. For American teens, turning 16 often means driving cars, going on dates, and attending dances. But, particularly in far-flung corners of the world, adult responsibilities, disparity, and conflict can underscore everyday teenage life.

As part of the project, TakePart editors searched the globe for a diverse and inspiring group of girls to participate. From questions about gender identification and growing up in modern families, to love, education, their career dreams, and hopes for the future, this video-only series examines real teenage experiences today and showcases what the world’s next generation of women looks like.

Watch the rest of the videos here, then join us in taking a stand for girls everywhere.

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