WHY GIRLS?

All over the world, millions of young girls are being denied important rights. Globally, 1 in 5 girls are denied an education by the daily realities of poverty, violence and discrimination. Every day, girls are taken out of school, married far too young, and subjected to sexual violence in school. Not only is this unjust for the girl, but it’s also a huge waste of potential, leaving half the world’s population out of development. We believe that gender equality is central to achieving long-term change. We have a vision of a world that values girls, promotes their rights and ends injustice.

Our extensive research shows that girls continue to be the single most excluded group in the world. They face discrimination and abuse simply for being young and female.

Girls and young women are often denied their right to:
• education,
• engage actively and equally in society,
• take important decisions about their futures and bodies,
• justice and equal opportunities,
• protection from gender based violence.

We believe that gender equality is central to achieving long-term change. We have a vision of a world that values girls, promotes their rights and ends injustice.

GIRLS' RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY
We believe that gender equality is central to achieving long-term change. We have a vision of a world that values girls, promotes their rights and ends injustice. We are part of a global movement driven by Plan International to ensure girls everywhere can learn, lead, decide and thrive.

LEARN
All girls have the right to quality, safe education and access to lifelong learning. An educated girl is more likely to marry later and have fewer, healthier children. She has a better chance of staying healthy herself.

LEAD
All girls and young women have the right to take part fully in the political life of their community and country. We’ll support and empower young female leaders to drive social, economic and political change.

DECIDE
All girls have a right to decide if and when to marry or start a family. Ensuring girls are able to make decisions about their futures is fundamental to achieving gender equality.

THRIVE
Girls have a right to reach their full potential, to realise their personal ambitions. To do this, they must be able to live free from violence and discrimination and have equal economic opportunities.

A girl who makes it through both high quality primary and secondary education is…
…less likely to experience violence or marry and have children whilst she is still a child.
…more likely to be literate, healthy and survive into adulthood, as are her children.
…more likely to reinvest her income back into her family, community and country.
…more likely to understand her rights and be a force for change.

GIRLS AND THE GLOBAL GOALS

In 2015 world leaders agreed an ambitious set of goals for sustainable development. However, they will only be achieved if we can unlock the power of girls. Otherwise, girls will continue to be left behind.

Without a bold new movement that confronts the root causes of discrimination, girls will still be denied their rights and remain unable to reach their full potential. 

Because I am a Girl is dedicated to ensuring gender equality and upholding the rights of all girls and young women by 2030. We strive to achieve this by collaborating with children, communities, civil society, governments and other partners to implement long-term programmes that target the root causes of inequality.