The crux of the toilet paper shortage
MAY. 08, 2020
Maternal and Child Health
Too many girls, children and young women lack equal access to healthcare. Plan International USA is committed to providing health programming for those who need it most, all across the world.
We work with marginalized communities to ensure that they have access to the health services necessary to survive and thrive, and to equip them with the information, skills and self-efficacy to manage their health.
We recognize that climate extremes and conflicts are increasing the frequency of food shortages, as well as economic, political and health crises. We collaborate with youth and communities to identify, prioritize, design and monitor programs and solutions that address their unique and diverse health needs. Our comprehensive, inclusive approach to programming strives to be girl-led, because we believe the best way to identify the challenges that girls and young women face and define the path forward is to ask the experts: the girls themselves.
My mother and I started to make some face masks during our free time, so we can give them to the most vulnerable people.
Mely, Guatemala
Tisay, Philippines
Your impact in
Maternal and Child Health
- 5,501,362
- girls impacted by sexual and reproductive health programs
- 34,423,821
- girls, boys, women and men reached sexual and reproductive health and rights
- 4,002,243
- girls involved in the better start in life program.
Our programming includes six main focus areas
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
We ensure that girls, adolescents and women realize their rights 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, adolescent and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health access, addressing child and early forced marriage (CEFM), access to sexual reproductive health in emergencies (SRHiE), HIV prevention and increasing access to HIV care.
Gender-based violence
We prevent gender-based violence by opposing the patriarchal systems that seek to control the lives of girls and young women and recognizing that girls have the right to bodily autonomy. Programming allows girls to speak up about the issues they face and advocate for change, and encourage boys and men to end discrimination and violence. We also work with local governments to enforce laws that keep girls protected and hold perpetrators accountable.
How Cairo’s Girls Are Fighting Back
MAY. 10, 2018
Access to quality health care
Our programs are designed with a community-led approach, equipping young people with the ability to access health care services and ensuring their experiences are positive and safe. For communities to thrive, girls and young women need equitable access to support systems. Plan’s work reflects the priorities of communities’ urgent health care needs and cultivates sustainable environments for all girls, children, women and families to thrive.
Born into a pandemic
JUN. 05, 2020
Disease prevention
We work to improve knowledge, skills, competencies and capabilities related to disease prevention through a range of interventions. We address primary health care and increase access to health care services; projects are often cross-sectoral to help girls and children stay healthy, so that they can live their lives and reach their full potential.
Menstrual hygiene management (MHM)
We deliver menstrual hygiene management programming that helps build sanitation facilities in schools and communities, improves access to menstrual hygiene supplies, and engages boys, men and key community stakeholders to eliminate the stigma and taboo around menstruation. This work increases girls’ school graduation rates, improves overall health, allows girls to better participate in society and helps girls live with dignity.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
Plan helps to ensure that girls, boys, women and men have equal access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, in the community and the home. In particular, we ensure that girls have access to sanitation at school, so that they can safely and comfortably manage their periods — without sacrificing their education. We work with communities to implement the use of low-cost technologies for point-of-use water treatment. We also actively promote the proper use and handling of water, using behavior change approaches and educational campaigns. Our work is with both urban and rural communities to overcome context-specific barriers to safe water and hygiene.
A powerful ripple effect
APR. 13, 2020