Act for girls

Girls learn at a Plan International Digital Learning Centre in India.

Because I am a Girl

Stand with brave girls everywhere. Join the fight for equal rights.

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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

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. Our survey shows that 38% of girls are experiencing verbal harassment like catcalling, wolf whistling and sexual comments every month, while 15% are being touched, groped or grabbed – and they've told us they want it to stop.

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

Join the campaign
Kadie from Birmingham talks about body image

Society needs a makeover

Around the world, including here in the UK, girls are experiencing huge pressure around their appearance – and it’s holding them back from going to school, getting their voices heard and achieving their dreams.

No girl should miss out because society says she should look a certain way. That’s why we're asking you to #ListenToGirls about body image.

Take action

Stand with brave girls everywhere

Join the Because I am a Girl campaign

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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. 

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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.

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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

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Campaigns

Locked out

It’s time to stop locking girls out of school toilets when they have their period.

Because I am a girl

Stand with every brave girl

Join the campaign