Dr Alaa Murabit, medical doctor and renowned women's rights advocate, has been appointed as the new Chair of Girls Not Brides' Board of Trustees. Currently serving as Global Policy and Advocacy Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr Murabit brings decades of experience championing gender equality and inclusive security. We caught up with her to discuss her vision for Girls Not Brides and what drives her commitment to ending child marriage.
1. In all your work on gender equality and rights over many years, why do you do what you do? What motivates and inspires you?
Gender inequality doesn’t just harm individuals; it destabilizes entire societies because the strength of our communities rests in dignity, opportunity, and freedom for every person. From an early age, I saw how structural inequalities robbed girls of opportunities, dreams, and fundamental freedoms.
I’m actually most inspired by my mom & the women and girls who came before us-we’re here and able to demand better because others first fought for more. And by the women and girls I meet—those who, despite facing incredible challenges, continue to lead, advocate, and work for change.
2. We’d love to know more about you – what is something you are most proud of? What has been your greatest challenge?
I’m most proud of the work I’ve been able to contribute to in local communities—where real, lasting change begins. Founding Voice of Libyan Women at a time of immense crisis in my country and seeing how that platform became a vehicle for women’s leadership and advocacy is something that I hold close to my heart. I’m also deeply proud of the phenomenal women leaders I’ve worked with through the Emerging Leaders Lab. Watching them rise, innovate, and transform their communities has been one of my greatest joys.
The greatest challenge has been navigating systems that were not built with us in mind—whether as women, as people from conflict regions, or as marginalized voices. equality is ultimately about power, and it means transforming ingrained societal, political, and institutional norms, so the work is an uphill battle.
3. Why do you want to join Girls Not Brides as the Chair of the Board?
Girls Not Brides is more than a global movement to end child marriage; it is a community that uplifts girls' power. It amplifies their voices, and advances their ability to choose a future for themselves. This mission is deeply personal to me. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the impact of early marriage on girls’ lives, I understand how vital it is to ensure they have the freedom to chart their own path. Joining Girls Not Brides as Chair allows me to contribute to this transformative work, focusing on collaboration, localisation, and driving forward the systemic change necessary to amplify every girl’s agency, everywhere. The opportunity to support an organization that so clearly centers the needs and voices of girls is both an honor and a responsibility I take very seriously.
4. What is the greatest opportunity for Girls Not Brides in the next 5 years?
Girls Not Brides has always understood that meaningful change must be community-driven. Over the next five years, we have the chance to further strengthen the links between grassroots efforts and global advocacy. By leveraging the knowledge, experience, and leadership of local organizations, we can accelerate progress in ways that are sustainable and rooted in the needs of girls themselves. We also have the opportunity to build stronger alliances across sectors—health, education, economic empowerment—ensuring that the movement to end child marriage is part of a broader push for freedom and justice.
5. What is your message to the Girls Not Brides staff, members, and partners around the world?
You are the heart of this movement. The progress so far, the lives transformed, and the futures reclaimed are because of your dedication, your passion, and your belief in the potential of every girl. I want to thank each and every one of you for the work you’ve done and for the work that lies ahead. Together, we will continue to build a world where no girl is denied her right to choose, to dream, and to thrive. I am excited to work alongside you, to listen, to learn, and to ensure that our collective efforts continue to create lasting impact. Together we will end child marriage.