Plan International USA

The worst drought to hit the Horn of Africa in 40 years is painting a grim scene: Dried up wells, wilted crops and cattle dying by the thousands. In a resource-abundant region that should be boasting with life, this drought — and the hunger crisis it’s created — are plaguing communities. Children, especially girls, are paying the highest price. View photo story

Urmila’s journey toward a career wasn’t as straightforward as she hoped. She moved to a city seeking more job opportunities, but since she didn’t have much professional experience, she was often turned away. But Urmila didn’t give up. She kept looking for safe and reliable work, and eventually heard about an initiative that helps young women become teachers — a program run in collaboration with Plan International. More information

Andrea, a young advocate from El Salvador, is using activism to make her voice heard — and it’s brought her all the way to the U.S. government, working to make global change for gender equality. More information.

Food insecurity was already on the rise in Guatemala before COVID-19. The pandemic and resulting economic crisis have only exacerbated inequality and poverty. The climate crisis is also taking its toll, with many families losing crops as a result of Hurricanes Eta and Iota in 2020. And the war in the Ukraine is only going to make the situation worse. More information.

Protected Passage supports and protects children, adolescent girls and their families as they migrate, seek asylum or return to their country of origin. A survey examines thoughts and knowledge around migration in-region. More information.

There are now over 2 million refugees fleeing the violence in Ukraine. And half of them are children. Millions more are still expected, as this becomes the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. View photo story.

Schools in Uganda have finally begun to reopen after two years of closed doors. Girls are especially vulnerable to permanently losing their education due to COVID-19, but they’re not giving up. More information.

Being a girl in a lower-income country like Guinea can mean a lesser chance of completing your education, and a higher chance of becoming a child bride. For girls who are able to finish school, the opportunities in the job market are slim. And for those young women who do land a job, they end up getting paid less than their male counterparts. None of that has stopped Teninké and N’Mahawa in pursuing their career goals. More information.

Harassment and intimidation aimed at girls for being unmarried is often referred to as “eve teasing” in Bangladesh, as well as some other South Asian countries. It’s an umbrella term used to describe sexual harassment, sexual assault or other forms of violence toward girls who don’t have husbands. More information.

The recent earthquake is one of many crises facing Haiti right now. Here, we break down what's going on and how girls and young women are uniquely impacted. More Information