A TEENAGE student has described standing up for girls at a prestigious event as 'the best day of her life'.

Jess Leigh, from Wincham, was invited to speak at this year’s annual TEDxExeter event which explored the theme of The Art of Possible.

The 18-year-old is no stranger to public speaking having delivered an impassioned speech at the House of Commons when she represented Cheshire West and Chester in the UK Youth Parliament.

The former St Nicholas Catholic High School pupil delivered her TEDx talk on street harassment.

Reflecting on her own experiences of harassment growing up, Jess told a sell-out audience of 900 people:“I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been harassed in public. We can name places which are virtual ‘no-go zones’ because we fear being harassed there. We share tips, we warn each other. We experience street harassment so often that we almost feel it’s a normal part of growing up”.

Northwich Guardian:

Jess Leigh, 18, spoke about street harassment at this year's annual TEDxExeter event in front of an audience of 900 people

Jess has been a member of children’s charity Plan International UK’s youth advisory panel since she was 15 and has worked on a number of campaigns to give girls an equal chance in life.

Most recently, she supported the charity’s #ISayItsNotOK campaign, which successfully lobbied the UK government to recognise street harassment as a form of gender-based violence.

Wrapping up her TED talk, Jess encouraged the audience to stand up for the girls and young women in their lives, saying:“We need to empower girls and young women because when we speak up, we form a language that destigmatizes and empowers. We need to create a new norm which is based on equality and respect”.

Tanya Barron, chief executive of Plan International UK said: “It is fantastic to see TEDxExeter open up the stage and provide a platform for young people like Jess.

Northwich Guardian:

Jess Leigh said speaking at TedxExeter was a privilege

“As a global girls’ rights’ charity, we know that girls are experts in their own lives and that it is only through listening to their experiences and amplifying their voices that real change can happen.

“Jess has delivered an inspirational talk on an issue we know is a prevalent part of girls lives today. Our research found that two thirds of girls aged 14-21 have experienced unwanted sexual harassment in a public place.

“I applaud Jess and TedxExeter for elevating girls’ voices and their calls for change – a truly insightful day."

After the event, Jess said:“Today was possibly the best day of my life. Speaking at TedxExeter has been such a privilege, something I would never have dreamed of being involved in as a local village girl from Cheshire.

“For me this is very much the start, to inspire and empower each girl in our lives to have control over their own bodies, but also to express that everybody needs to be involved in the conversation.

“There are hundreds of young people just like me trying to make a change in the world. I have one very simple message everyone – have courage in what you do and stand up for what you believe in”.

The day-long conference took place at Exeter Northcott Theatre on April 5.