Surviving trafficking: Esther’s story in her own words
NOV. 03, 2020
Gender & Youth Equality
Girls’ rights are human rights. When girls face injustices, their communities suffer. Gender equality is a fight we must take on together, with young people leading the charge for a fair and equal world.
Our comprehensive, inclusive approach to Gender & Youth Equality programming strives to be girl-led, encouraging girls to unlock their full power and potential by stepping into positions of leadership.
Girls identify the challenges they face, and we work together to come up with resilient solutions that reflect their priorities, needs and visions.
It’s important that this type of program comes to areas that are difficult to access, so that it contributes to the leadership and empowerment of girls.
Paty, El Salvador
Your impact in
Gender & Youth Equality
- 1,508,639
- community members trained in gender equality.
- 499,794
- community members and volunteers, and 33,251 staff in partner organizations and institutions trained in child protection.
- 5,716,214
- million girls in gender-sensitive child protection.
Our girl-driven approach includes five focus areas
Human trafficking
Child trafficking is a global crisis that we combat through teaching girls and families how to defend themselves from traffickers’ tricks, bringing survivors home faster and helping them recover from physical and emotional abuse. We work with government officials and communities to help protect girls and increase rescues by strengthening checkpoints in dangerous border areas. Once girls are rescued and provided counseling, we also help to provide housing, counseling, education and job training they need to recover and create a better future for themselves and their families.
Gender norm change
We help challenge social norms by supporting girls and boys to think differently about gender and the harmful impact of gender norms. These young leaders then support the learning of those around them. Our programs encourage girls to promote equality and their internal power, and enable boys to self-reflect and identify the harmful consequences of toxic masculinity in their cultures. By working together as teams, girls and boys in our programs build a more equitable tomorrow.
A champion, in her own words
APR. 17, 2020
Youth voices
Our youth engagement programs serve young people, both domestically and internationally. Through Plan’s Youth Advisory Board and Youth Leadership Academy, youth —particularly young women — enhance their leadership skills and bring a strong voice to develop, guide and evaluate Plan’s programs. And through our unique approach to development, GirlEngage, the voices of girls and young women are what inspire and inform our programming for advancing girls’ rights.
Engaging girls
MAR. 03, 2020
Child, early and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU)
Our CEFMU prevention programs are designed to enable girls and young women to avoid marriage, stay in school and decide for themselves whether, when and whom to marry. Plan takes a holistic approach to address the root causes of this harmful practice and identify opportunities for change. We help girls work with parents, community leaders and governments to end forced marriage around the world.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
Our programming ensures that girls, youth and women realize their right to sexual and reproductive health, including access to information, education and services. Our SRHR program areas include life skills programming, comprehensive sexuality education, family planning, addressing child and early forced marriage and unions (CEFMU), and increasing access to HIV care.
The crux of the toilet paper shortage
MAY. 08, 2020