Fostering Peace by Mentoring Teenage Girls: A Personal Story

Some time ago, I noticed a young, vibrant teenager I know behaving differently—she was acting out, becoming arrogant and disrespectful. I didn’t approach her immediately but kept observing. Then, one day, a young man who knew her reached out to me with a complaint.

This young man, a friend of hers, came into my DM, clearly upset. He explained that the girl had started insulting him and treating him disrespectfully since she began her first degree. According to him, she went as far as tarnishing his image by telling others false things about him.

Once he finished venting, I quickly apologized on her behalf and assured him that, as an advocate for peace and someone who has a passion for working with teenage girls, I would get to the bottom of the situation.

One key approach I take when working with teenage girls is allowing them to express themselves freely. I give them space to cry, scream, and share their frustrations because I know, from my own experience, how challenging adolescence can be. This period of life is often misunderstood by adults—parents, teachers, and other authority figures—who don’t realize the intense emotional upheaval a teenage girl goes through.

As girls approach their teenage years, starting from around thirteen, significant physical and emotional changes begin to occur. Puberty brings physical developments like breast growth and body hair, but it also brings emotional turbulence.

These young girls are often confused, interpreting the smallest acts of kindness or attention as love. This confusion is often worsened if they come from a broken home, have lost a parent, or lack proper parental care, especially the presence of a father figure.

Back to my story —when I finally had the chance to speak with the young girl, I asked her how she was feeling and how she was managing her emotions. She opened up to me, confessing that she felt heartbroken, betrayed, and confused.

Imagine—this young girl, not yet 25, already feeling heartbroken and emotionally drained.

As she poured out her heart, I realized the root of her hurt stemmed from emotional neglect. She had misunderstood the attention and affection from this young man. He had, at one point, told her he loved her and even mentioned marriage, but then, without explanation, he started treating her differently. She didn’t know how to handle the sudden shift in his behavior.

Listening to her, it was clear that she was dealing with more than just heartbreak. This was a case of misinformation, emotional immaturity, and a lack of guidance. She had no one to properly explain to her the difference between genuine love, infatuation, and emotional attachment.

I took the time to mediate between the two. I called them both for a conversation, helping them understand that love is something that grows and changes over time, and what they were experiencing might not be love but a temporary emotional connection. They both needed to learn that emotions evolve, and people change, especially during such a formative stage in life.

Unfortunately, many teenage girls experience similar emotional crises. Some are left vulnerable, falling into the wrong hands of boys who exploit their confusion. These girls often become victims of manipulation, molestation, drug abuse, or even worse, violence.

Many young men, lacking proper understanding of relationships themselves, take advantage of these girls and then discard them, believing they are “too easy” or “too available.” Some of these situations escalate into dangerous outcomes, with girls being mistreated, abused, or even killed.

This is why, during this International Day of Peace, I urge all women, especially those on platforms like World Pulse, to look out for young girls. We must mentor them, not only teaching them technical skills but also focusing on vital soft skills like communication, self-love, confidence, and kindness.

These young girls need to understand that they deserve to be treated with respect. They need to know that no one can love them more than they love themselves, and they must never settle for less than what they are worth. It’s crucial that we, as women, take the time to nurture these values in them, fostering a generation of confident, empowered young women who will contribute to a more peaceful world.

By mentoring these girls, we prevent them from falling prey to emotional manipulation and exploitation. We give them the tools to make informed decisions about their lives and relationships. In doing so, we are creating a ripple effect of peace, one girl at a time.

We need to understand that peace is not just the absence of war or conflict but also the presence of justice, equality, and respect in our everyday lives. When we teach young girls to value themselves and treat others with respect, we are building the foundation for a more peaceful future.

So, as we reflect on this year’s International Day of Peace, let us remember that peace starts with the younger generation. It starts with the girls in our homes, communities, schools, religious gatherings who need our guidance and support directly or indirectly.

By starting with our loved ones, creating an atmosphere where they can thrive, we can create a world where peace leads, love leads and women blossom and take their place among Kings. Be treated with equality and respect.

Ps: I see myself starting a STEM platform for young girls soon where they can learn as the future is Technology.

All suggestions on how to amplify my one on one teachings with these girls are welcomed but for now, I volunteer with an NGO's called Lush Foundation though am on transition to furthering my Education but I will not stop.