For just one day, teenager Aava Murto became the Prime Minister of Finland to promote gender equality ahead of United Nation's 'Day of the Girl' on 11 October, several news outlets including BBC and AFP reported.

Part of a global campaign by charity organisation

Murto's "appointment" as a one day Prime Minister is a part of an international children's charity organisation Plan International's "Girls Takeover" project.

"The global #GirlsTakeover on International Day of the Girl (11 October) is a call to action for radical social and political change to tear down barriers of discrimination and prejudice that continue to hold girls back.

"Each year, girls from the United States to Thailand hundreds of girls step into the roles of media, entertainment, business and politics for a day to demand equal power, freedom and representation for girls and young women.

"Through the #GirlsTakeover, girls occupy spaces where they are rarely seen or heard and making it clear they have the right to be there without being silenced or ignored," the Plan International website says, explaining what the project is all about.

We spoke to 14,000 girls from 22 countries about the abuse and harassment they’ve faced online. This is what they have to say ? #FreeToBeOnline #DayOfTheGirl #IDG2020 pic.twitter.com/tL8fSYD0ye

— Plan International (@PlanGlobal) October 7, 2020

This year, the organisation is promoting digital skills and technological opportunities for girls.

"It is a pleasure to be speaking here before you today - although, in a way, I wish that I did not have to stand here, that campaigns like the Girls' Takeover were no longer necessary,

"However, the truth is that we have not yet achieved gender equality - not anywhere on earth. Although we have accomplished a great lot of good in this area, there is still much work that needs to be done," Murto said in a speech.

She also spoke about online harassment as well as gender stereotype that has a big impact on girls' involvement and exposure to technology.

"Gender stereotypes related to technology affect children from a very young age. If a girl says she plays video games, she is often considered weird. If, on the other hand, a boy says he does not play video games or have a game console, he is considered weird for that reason.

"When teachers have problems with technology, they usually ask the boys in the class to help. The default assumption is that boys are more interested and skilled in technology than girls.

"Despite these circumstances, some girls do not lose interest in technology. Despite these circumstances, some girls would like to study IT in school and someday even work in the technology sector. However, they often face the same old obstacle: fear of being excluded and discriminated against," she said, adding that girls in developing countries are much more affected by this issue.

Murto further explained that girls are not just victims but represent enormous potential and things have to change, and change fast to achieve equality.

Not the only take over

Murto is not the only girl who will be taking over an important position during this campaign.

Girls from several countries including El Salvador, Guatemala, the Netherlands and the Philippines will be swapping senior jobs at Microsoft, Samsung, Facebook and Twitter.