Because I am a Girl

Girls’ rights are human rights

Every day, millions of girls around the world are denied their basic human rights – simply because they're girls. Because I am a Girl  is Plan International’s global initiative that is working to advance girls’ rights by helping them unleash their inherent power and potential.  

WHY IS BECAUSE I AM A GIRL IMPORTANT? 

Around the world, girls 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 is standing with girls and young women by providing a platform, opportunities and support for them to become leaders and make change happen. Once girls are aware of their rights and can exercise them, they can successfully advocate for change in their lives, in their community, or around the world. For example, we have seen girls at the forefront of movements to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in their community or ban child marriage in their country. 

Equality will not be a reality until the world recognizes the inherent power and potential of youth – especially girls. We are on Team Girl but that does not mean we exclude boys from our work, in fact we actively engage men and boys in our efforts to advance equality. Important shifts and real, lasting change require everyone to be involved in the process. Together, we can create a new and equitable normal over time.

Learn more:

» Girls' education » Child marriage » Gender-based violence » Statistics

Is gender equality important during a crisis like COVID-19?

Yes! The impact of crisis is never gender neutral and COVID-19 is no exception. This global pandemic is actively unraveling decades of progress made towards girls’ rights around the globe.

In the next minute alone:

20 Girls will drop out or lose access to school
20 Girls under 18 will be married
7 Girls will go through Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Learn more

Globally, Nearly

130

million

girls are not in school.

Every year, nearly

million

girls are married before the age of 18.

Approximately

million

girls aged 15 to 19 years give birth each year

STORIES FROM THE FIELD

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Oumou is working to end child marriage in Senegal

Meet Oumou and see how a vibrant, young women like her are working to end child marriage and early pregnancy in Senegal through education and youth empowerment.

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Meet 3 boys who are putting an end to sexual harassment in Egypt

These boys are no longer accepting sexual harassment or inequality faced by girls in their communities as 'normal'. They are standing up to Defy Normal.

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Gender and Coronavirus: Why women are bearing the brunt of COVID-19

Gender norms and expectations play a role in how women are impacted by coronavirus. See the 5 reasons why women are bearing the brunt of COVID-19.
›Read More

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