Act for girls with Plan International UK

Around the world, including here in the UK, girls still don’t have equal rights – and that has to change. That’s why we’re standing with young people as they campaign on the issues that matter most to them, from child marriage and trafficking to street harassment and sexual exploitation at work.

Our campaigning model is simple and, most importantly, youth-led. We work with young people and youth activists around the world to find out what meaningful change would look like in their communities and how it can be achieved. Then, with your support, we stand with them as they lead campaigns and lobby those in power to create lasting impact.

We’ve seen girls across the globe change their futures in this way. But every day, girls are still being discriminated against just for being girls – and we’re still a long way away from achieving gender equality. That’s why we need you to join our Because I am a Girl campaign and stand with brave girls everywhere in the fight for equal rights. Join us now >

Why we campaign for girls' rights

41,000 girls

under 18 are married around the world every day

13 million girls

are out of school because of conflict and disaster

2 out of 3 girls

in the UK have been sexually harassed in public

Stand in solidarity with girls in crisis

The coronavirus crisis is having a devastating impact across the world, but for the millions already living in refugee camps or conflict affected areas, it has meant a crisis on top of a crisis. Girls are among the worst affected in any crisis - their voices often the least heard, and their rights and needs left unmet. This World Refugee Day we’re asking you to craft for a good cause. By creating a 'paperchain of girls' to display in your window, you’ll be showing the world you stand in solidarity with girls living through crisis.

Girls' Rights in the UK 2020

In 2016 our research revealed that, despite living in one of the richest countries in the world, girls across the UK were being denied their rights.

Now, at the turn of the decade, our latest report shows the true extent of gender inequality in the UK. It reveals that girls are ‘fed up and frustrated’ with the lack of progress on gender equality, and are continuing to face very real threats to their safety in public, sexism in school and a lack of control over their bodies.

STREET HARASSMENT: I say it’s not ok

Across the UK, girls are being harassed in public places and told it's just part of growing up – and they've told us they want it to stop.

Will you stand with them and say 'It's not OK'?

Join the campaign

Youth advocates Tama and Gift in Nigeria

Say No To Trafficking in Nigeria

In North East Nigeria, humanitarian crisis and conflict have put girls’ safety in jeopardy. Traffickers are luring girls and young women with promises of well-paid jobs and tricking families into giving up their daughters, but what seems like a way out is a path to exploitation.

We’re standing with youth advocates Tama and Gift as they champion a girl-led movement to say no to the trafficking of girls and young women in Nigeria. Will you stand with them?

Add your name

Left Out, Left Behind

If you’re a girl affected by conflict or disaster, you’re more likely to be married before the age of 18 than to finish school. But in places like South Sudan, Nigeria and the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazaar, girls are telling us they want an education more than anything.

Period poverty: the toxic trio

Since launching our Menstrual Manifesto, we’ve been taking on the three issues UK girls identified as creating a ‘toxic trio’ of period poverty: the cost of sanitary products; a lack of education about periods; and shame, stigma and taboo.

Our Locked Out campaign highlighted the issue of girls not being able to go to the toilet during lessons at school, even when they get their period. Meanwhile, your support for our period emoji campaign has secured a new way to smash the period taboo, using one of the world’s fastest growing global languages.

My story in virtual reality: Mamie's Dream

“Because I was born a girl, I’ve had to face many difficult challenges along the way – from avoiding FGM, to teenage pregnancy, and getting an education.”

In a country where 73% of girls don’t finish their education, Mamie’s dream of becoming a teacher in Sierra Leone seemed impossible – but she was determined to succeed. This is her story.

Watch Mamie's story