Born to a Nigerian father and a Japanese mother, Irene Evbade-dan recalls valuable lessons from her parents on the importance of treating people with respect, regardless of their age, gender or background.
She took those lessons to heart. Knowing firsthand the challenges children with different ethnic backgrounds face in Japan, Evbade-dan, 23, has been dedicated to supporting young people in Japan with African backgrounds overcome cultural differences and maintain their heritage.
Now, she is pushing her beliefs as Japan's representative to the G(irls)20 summit, an annual forum aimed at advocating gender equality to Group of 20 leaders in the hopes that Japan and the world will better embrace diversity and narrow gender gaps.