By making a regular donation, together we can build a world where all children grow up safe from violence, and have access to an education so that they can pave their own futures.
Photo: Diana and her friend have overcome their fear of the classroom. © Plan International
Global aid cuts are hurting girls
Despite significant achievements in areas such as education over the last three decades, millions of adolescent girls across the world today are still out of school, ill-equipped for the future, facing gaps in life-saving health services, and at risk of harmful practices such as child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), violence, and abuse.With governments around the world cutting humanitarian aid and rolling back on their commitments to gender equality, support for girls has never been more important.
We know that:
- Despite a 39% decrease in out-of-school girls in the last 20 years, 122 million girls remain out of school globally. Adolescent girls aged 15-19 in South Asia are three times more likely than boys to note be in school, employment, or training.
- Nearly 1 in 4 adolescent girls who have married or partnered have experienced intimate partner violence worldwide, and 50 million girls alive today have experienced sexual violence.
Girls and women everywhere deserve a life free from violence and abuse, opportunities for education, training, and employment, and to have control over their own bodies.
Support girls and their families around the world through our Change for Girls program. Even a small regular donation makes a life-changing difference.
It’s time to move. Until we’re all equal.
Every child deserves an education
When the pandemic hit, 15-year-old Mamta was forced to drop out of school.
Refusing to give up her dreams, Mamta enrolled in Plan International’s Balika Shivir program, attending their free accelerated learning classes. Now, back in mainstream school, Mamta is motivated because of her achievements and the support she’s received.
In partnership with Z Zurich Foundation, the Balika Shivir program supports out-of-school girls in remote areas of India to return to school to complete their education, or learn skills to earn an income.
The program aims to reduce the number of girls forced into child marriage or trafficked for domestic labour, while raising awareness of the importance of a girls education within their communities.
Now enrolled in year 11 at a mainstream school, Mamta tells us, “Today my teachers and parents are so proud of me for my achievements.”
With your support, more girls like Mamta can keep learning and have the power to shape their own futures.
Help her choose her own future.
Photo: Mamta, 15, is now studying in year 11 at high school. © Plan International
No girl should live in fear of gender-based violence
For too many girls around the world, the threat of violence and abuse is inescapable. It is prevalent in all aspects of their everyday lives from their bus ride to school, walking home, and especially inside their homes.
The role of men and boys is pivotal to protecting girls from violence and ensuring healthy relationships between men and women. That’s where our Real Fathers’ Club’s come in.
In a small community in Ghana, Michael, a father of six daughters, has joined his local Real Fathers’ Club. It’s a space for husbands and fathers to share their experiences of life at home, challenge traditional gender stereotypes, and ensure that the harmful practice of FGM does not resurface in their community.
Since joining, Michael has started to think differently when it comes to household responsibilities and the future he wants for his daughters.
Now, because of the club’s activities, numerous fathers in the community are stepping up to share household responsibilities with their wives, bond with their children, and challenge deeply ingrained gender and masculinity norms that have shaped their communities for generations.
Learn more about Michael’s story.
Photo: Michael with his six daughters. © Plan International
Choosing her own career path
In Jalapa, Guatemala, 24-year-old Claudia still faces discrimination and barriers as a woman.
Instead of letting each “no” shape her future, she pushed herslef to keep going and follow the career she’s passionate about – motorcycle mechanics.
Claudia stumbled upon Plan International’s Generation with Decision and Leadership project and she took it as a sign to learn something new, in a field she loved. Meeting other young women and learning new skills, she felt immediately motivated and knew she was in the right place.
Through the workshop, Claudia mastered new skills and saw the greater impact of the program within her community. “To girls and adolescents, I say: we are capable. No matter how many challenges you face, if you have a dream, follow it.” Speaking on the program, she continues, “They help us prove that we can do it. That gender doesn’t matter – determination does.”
Now, Claudia works at her uncle’s workshop and dreams of opening her own business. Programs like these empower girls to challenge stereotypes and shape their own futures.
Photo: Claudia, 24, wants to start her own business selling motorbike parts. © Plan International