How Allison Choong helps girls find their voice

KUALA LUMPUR: When Allison Choong and a group of young activists from around the world set out to create a children’s book about safety, they hoped it would help girls understand boundaries, recognise unsafe situations, and trust their instincts.

Today, “Safiya Speaks Up” has reached readers across multiple countries and languages, carrying a message that remains central to Choong’s work.

For the Penang-born activist, the book is part of a much larger mission: ensuring girls have the knowledge, support and agency to shape their own futures.

“Literature is such an innovative way to help people process information at any age. Girls deserve age-appropriate resources that teach them about their agency, boundaries and safety,” Choong told FMT Lifestyle.

“Safiya Speaks Up” follows a young girl who learns to navigate the difference between safe and unsafe interactions in her community, and discovers how to use her voice.

Choong said abuse remains a reality for far too many girls in homes, schools and communities. Sadly, many lack the language to describe what they are experiencing.

“If even one girl picks up this book, recognises that something is wrong, and finds the courage to speak up, then that alone shows why resources like this are so important,” she said.

Choong is one of six Malaysians listed on the prestigious Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list in the “social impact” category. At just 22, her work already spans classrooms, boardrooms and conference stages.

She is currently pursuing Sociology and Criminology & Justice at Drexel University in Pennsylvania on a full scholarship, while serving on the board of directors of non-profit organisation Girl Rising and speaking internationally on girls’ rights and youth advocacy.

Later this year she will head to Kenya, where she will work with World Vision International on public health interventions.

But long before the accolades, Choong was simply looking for ways to make a difference.

During the pandemic, she discovered She’s The First – an organisation that has since merged with Girl Rising – and was selected for its activist fellowship programme.

There, she joined a group tasked with developing a campaign on safety from violence. Rather than producing a traditional awareness campaign, the young activists decided to create a children’s book and mentor’s guide.

“We saw a need for resources about safety that were designed specifically for young girls, using language, illustrations and concepts they could easily understand,” she explained.

“We also wanted to help girls identify trusted adults and understand that they have the right to speak up when something feels wrong.”

Choong developed the book with activists aged 15-21 from Malaysia, Kenya, the Philippines and the US, all of whom were part of the fellowship programme.

The team intentionally crafted the story to be as universal and accessible as possible so it could be translated across different countries, cultures and languages.

Choong recalled spending countless hours on Zoom calls with her teammates across different time zones, discussing the story and refining their message.

“We wanted girls everywhere to be able to see themselves in Safiya’s bravery,” she emphasised.

While the book has reached readers around the world, Choong believes there is still much work to be done closer to home.

She said Malaysians need to become more comfortable discussing issues that affect girls, including menstruation, while also challenging harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

Malaysian society, she noted, often places a strong emphasis on preserving dignity or “saving face”. While this can be valuable in some circumstances, it should never come at the expense of speaking out when girls are being harmed.

“Especially with social media, every time I scroll. I see content that dictates what girls should wear, say or do. Comment sections are often filled with questions like ‘what was she wearing?’ or ‘it’s her fault’,” she said.

“We need leaders who are willing to genuinely listen to young girls and include us in conversations that affect our futures. We need more support, stronger legislation, and more opportunities for girls and young women to help shape the future of our country.”

Follow Allison Choong on Instagram.