Support the Because I am a girl project

Every day, millions of girls around the world are denied their basic human rights simply because they’re girls – but you can make a difference. Help safeguard and promote girls’ rights by supporting the Because I am a Girl project.

Your generous contributions will be matched by our funding partners – meaning your support will reach 3X more girls around the world, for 3X the impact.

Globally, more than 129 million girls are not attending school.

Nearly every two seconds, a girl under the age of 18 is forced into child marriage – that’s about 12 million girls each year.

For 15- to 19-year-olds, complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death globally.

Your donation supports equality for girls through projects that:

Help girls in the Philippines complete their education and engage their communities as change makers against abuse targeting girls and women.
Kick-start young women’s entrepreneurial initiatives in Colombia and teach girls job-specific and management skills as well as financial-literacy skills so they can earn and save money for their futures.
Enrol girls in school and train teachers to be equality advocates in Uganda, which helps create protective learning environments where girls’ voices are shared and heard.

The history and inspiration behind Because I am a Girl

“Because I am a girl.” How did this simple phrase become the name of a global initiative, powering a movement to promote equality and girls’ rights? The story behind the name of Plan International’s Because I am a Girl project is a poignant one. Here’s how it started:

Ten years ago, during a conference in Katmandu, Nepal, Marianne – a Plan International staff member – went out for a walk. Seeing a very little girl out on her own, scavenging for food, Marianne struck up a conversation with her. She then accompanied the girl back to her home, as she wanted to meet the parents. Upon her arrival, Marianne tried to sensitively broach the subject with the mother about the reason her daughter was out scavenging while her brothers were in school. The mother’s answer was simple: “Because she is a girl.” To that mother, and many people around the world, that phrase explains it all.

Every day, millions of girls around the world are denied their basic human rights – simply because they’re girls. They continue to face unique barriers that violate their rights and keep them from reaching their full potential. Discrimination leads to grave injustices like gender-based violence, limited or no educational opportunities, child marriage and early pregnancy.

Plan International’s years of experience and research show that when girls are educated, healthy and informed, they can successfully advocate for and lead change in their lives, in their community and around the world.

Marianne’s story stuck with us and became the inspiration behind the name “Because I am a Girl” for our goal of equal rights for all children and helping girls around the world reach their full potential.

Still have questions? We can help!

What countries are supported by the Because I am a Girl project?

Plan International Canada’s  Because I am a Girl  project supports communities in dozens of countries around the world; these can include Bangladesh, Niger, Colombia, Tanzania, Mali, Ghana and Zimbabwe.

How does Because I am a Girl differ from sponsoring a child?

When you sponsor a child, you support community-based projects in specific locations to help the children and families within those areas.

When you support the Because I am a Girl project, you join a growing movement of fellow Canadians who are also committed to helping champion girls’ rights. Together, you fund gender equality-focused programs spanning hundreds of communities around the world. You help reach girls worldwide with the support they need, helping save and transform lives while driving equality forward. You will learn about girls’ rights issues and see the progress your support makes through the eyes of the girls you’ve helped reach with empowerment opportunities.

If I become a monthly supporter, how long of a commitment am I expected to make?

The length of your commitment is up to you. Many of our Because I am a Girl project supporters have been involved for several years and find it to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Helping advance girls’ rights and achieving equality for girls will take time. The World Economic Forum estimates we won't achieve gender equality for another 132 years. Consistent long-term support is the key to driving fundamental shifts in mindsets and lasting change.

Why can’t I support a project that helps boys?

The Because I am a Girl project is designed to help advance equal rights starting with girls, as they are one of the groups most at-risk of human rights violations in the countries where we work. However, our projects offer meaningful opportunities for boys, too. Gender norms and negative stereotypes are harmful to boys and men, as well.

Gender equality benefits everyone, and it takes everyone being involved to achieve it, which is why we include boys, men, women and girls of all ages and community positions within our work. If we build a school, boys will also attend. If we educate young people about sexual and reproductive health and rights, boys learn as well. Only by working together can we create a more just and equal world where all children realize and achieve what they are capable of.