Girls are getting a raw deal. They face the double discrimination of their gender and their age, and in many societies remain at the bottom of the social and economic ladder.
In 2007, Plan launched the report - 'Because I am a Girl: The State of the World's Girls' - revealing huge global complacency about the rights of girls. Now, in 2008, we have recently launched the second report, 'The State of the World's Girls 2008: In the Shadow of War'. This report examines the lives of those girls in countries affected by conflict: the challenges they face every day and their dreams for the future.
Plan believes it doesn't have to be like this. Join Plan's campaign and help us break the cycle of discrimination and maltreatment.
Meet a few of the girls living in the shadow of war.
The campaign starts with the 2007 publication of a report on the disturbing situation, pulling together global statistics highlighting the extent of female foeticide, early marriage, abuse and violence and the lack of education given to girls in the world's poorer countries. It warns that the Millennium Development Goals agreed by world leaders are likely to fail girls living in poverty.
The State of the World's Girls 2008: In the Shadow of War, the second in the series to be published over the next eight years by Plan, goes in depth to examine the effects of conflict on the lives of girls around the world. Recently released, it highlights the stories of a few of the over 200 million girls living in war-torn nations, suffering from violence, a lack of education, poor nutrition, and much more. The campaign will focus specifically on these girls - pushing world leaders to follow through on commitments to gender equality in education.
Our goal is that by May 2009, the UK Government's Department for International Development (DFID) will:
Have ensured full financing for girls education in conflict-affected countries
Be working in cooperation with conflict-affected countries and other organisations to develop effective strategies for girls education
To learn more or to download the report visit the campaign website at www.becauseiamagirl.org
What you can do to help!
Did you know that your voice can make a difference??
Take 2 minutes to send an email to Gordon Brown! Tell him that you think education is important, and that the UK should commit more money to support education in post-conflict situations: a minute of your time will make a huge difference in girls lives throughout the world!
"Education is the key to success...if nations are compelled to break treaties we should build a conscience within the inhabitants of a nation...we are the future and people should be aware of that...right now, we are inheriting a very unstable world. - Girl, 16, Colombia"
The numbers...
200 million girls live in conflict affected countries!
Over 900 million girls and women live on less than one dollar a day
43 million girls are not in primary school throughout the world
Around 20 million children have been forced to flee their homes due to war
Between 1990 and 2003, girls were part of fighting forces in 55 countries!
Plan is one of the largest child-centred community development organisations in the world, helping children and their families in 49 of the poorest countries to break the cycle of poverty.
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Anyone who wants to help create a equal and fair world for girls
At Plan UK, we're passionate about girls rights, that's why we're working on the Because I am a Girl campaign. But we can't do it alone...we need your help to make a difference! Please spread the word to your friends, take a minute to email Gordon Brown, and let us know what else you think we can do, whether it's on this page, or helping out somewhere with the campaign. We'd love to hear from you!
