Act for girls
Because I am a Girl
Stand with brave girls everywhere as they campaign for equal rights
At Plan International UK, we believe girls shouldn't be discriminated against just for being girls. Our Because I am a Girl campaign focuses on giving girls an equal opportunity to boys, and our campaigns tackle the real issues girls and young women face every day around the world.
With your amazing support, brave girls across the globe have led campaigns and changed their futures, taking on issues from the trafficking of girls in Nepal to child marriage in Tanzania, accessing sexual health services in Uganda and living safely in the world’s cities. But we’re still a long way from achieving gender equality – including here in the UK.
That’s why we asked you to help ensure the new Relationships and Sex Education curriculum includes the issues that matter most to young people. It’s why we’re taking action on street harassment and highlighting girls' experiences of periods in the UK, in our first-of-its-kind report. And it’s why we’re calling for a period emoji, so girls everywhere can talk about their periods without shame or stigma.
STREET HARASSMENT
Across the UK, girls are being harassed in public places – and told it's just part of growing up.
Our latest 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.
That's why we're asking you to say 'It's not OK', as we call on the government to recognise harassment in public as a form of gender-based violence.
Standing with brave girls in Nepal
Every day, girls are being trafficked within Nepal, across the border into India and overseas. Once they’re taken away from their homes, they're being sexually exploited in brothels, and forced into child marriage, domestic servitude and to work in clothes factories.
It's a horrendous abuse of girls' rights, and it has to stop. That's why we asked you to support youth advocates like Sarita and Sabina, as they campaign to get their Mayor to take action.
Break the Barriers
When you start your period it’s all hush, hush. You can’t talk about it. It should be seen as a natural human thing.
- Sugi, 20, Middlesbrough
Our first-of-its-kind report reveals girls' experiences of periods in the UK, and how a culture of stigma and silence is putting girls' physical, sexual and mental health at risk.
Making child marriage illegal in Tanzania
In Tanzania, 1 in 3 girls get married before they turn 18. That’s why we asked you to stand with young people and brave girls, as they campaign to change the law and make child marriage illegal – and we were overwhelmed by your support, with 49,125 people from around the world signing the petition.
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.
Campaigns
Stand with brave girls to stop trafficking in Nepal
Trafficking is a horrendous abuse of girls’ rights. It has to stop. Stand with young campaigners today and sign their petition to end trafficking in Nepal.
Why we need a period emoji
We're calling for a period emoji to make the conversation around periods easier.
My Body. My Future.
Stand with girls in Uganda to give girls better access to sexual health services
Stand with every brave girl to end violence
Join our Because I am a Girl campaign to stand with every brave girl and take action for girls' rights
Relationships and Sex Education: It's my right
Young people are calling for mandatory sex and relationships education, stand with them
Make cities safer for girls
Around the world, girls aren't feeling safe in the cities they're growing up in.
Because I Am A Girl
We campaign globally to end violence and discrimination against girls.
Girls' Rights in the UK
We’re shining the spotlight on the situation for girls in the UK.