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Blog
February 9, 2021

Did you know: Saying “developing countries” is more controversial than you think

Here’s the problem with labels: They limit. They come with biases. And sometimes, they get it wrong.

Categorizing is something we do by nature. It’s convenient to compare things as good or bad. In some cases, it works. But when it comes to comparing countries with that approach — “developed” or “developing” — it doesn’t quite get it right.

Saying “developing countries” as an alternative to “Third World” is reasonable. But as language evolves, we know we can always do better. Here are three reasons why you should avoid using the terms “developing country” and “developing world,” and what you could perhaps say instead.

1. Saying “developing countries” implies a hierarchy.

If you were to list every country from best to worst, which would be first? Which would be last? What makes the top half superior, and the bottom half inferior? If you’re ranking based on each country’s gross domestic product, that still doesn’t define what makes a country “developing” or not. There are no established benchmarks from the UN for what constitutes a country that is “developing.”

When we separate nations by “developed” and “developing,” it not only creates a false “good vs. bad” division, but also an “us vs. them” mentality. It suggests that the countries that are “developing” must follow the models of the “developed” to progress. But even the countries believed to be some of the world’s most advanced are, in some facets, falling behind some of those that are “underdeveloped.”

There are too many factors to consider to ever create a just and fair hierarchy. And we shouldn’t use terms that suggest one exists.

2. We’re all “developing.”

No country in the world is on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. If that’s the case, is any country truly “developed”?

Let’s take a moment and consider the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Across news channels, journalists compared the attack to something that happens in “developing countries” or the “Third World.” We must take ownership — without comparison. The insurrection happened here, and it’s dangerous to simply ignore the long history of violence and inequality that led us to this moment, and instead point the finger at other parts of the world.

And then there’s COVID-19. While there are a number of factors to consider, European countries and the U.S. are among those with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths. Major successes in COVID-19 response are coming from countries in Africa: Senegal created a 10-minute COVID-19 test without complex technology very early on in the pandemic. But we didn’t hear about it. We’re only hearing about the successes from other “developed” countries, like New Zealand, as if there is nothing to recognize or value in the “developing world.”

3. The “developed” are built off resources from the “developing.”

The history is clear: “Developed” countries often stole and continue to steal the resources of the countries that they colonized. And comparing countries with the vague terms of “developed” vs. “developing” is almost a modern way of describing “colonizer” vs. “colonized.”

Look at the computer or phone you’re reading this from right now. There’s a good chance your device is made out of tantalum, and that the tantalum came from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s one of many minerals that comes from the country — the Congo is home to an abundance of resources, making it one of the world’s richest countries in terms of natural wealth.

So then why is it also one of the world’s poorest countries?

Because of foreign exploitation. Colonial powers have stolen the country’s resources for hundreds of years, fueling severe poverty and oppression. The very people who walk above such precious minerals are the ones suffering from foreign greed and domestic corruption. And although we hold the Congo’s resources in our own hands — phones, cameras or computers — we’re blind to the journey of how they got there.

So, if you shouldn’t say “developing countries,” what should you be saying?

Language is tricky. Broad, dividing labels just can’t capture the whole story. And we’re all aiming to get this right.

We’ve laid out the problems with blanket terms, so maybe the solution is not to use them. If you are grouping countries together, perhaps instead use their geographic location. Say exactly what a country’s strengths and weaknesses are. It may require more work to lay out all the facts, but convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of integrity. Details tell the better, truer story.

The “developing world” is the majority of the world. It’s where most of the people on our planet live. We have to look at the world through an inclusive lens and see each country’s unique challenges as parallel to our own. And from a place of understanding each other, supporting each other and progressing together, comes the language we use.

Report & Resource
October 27, 2020

Report: Citi GPS Girls in the Economy

Citibank partnered with Plan International to explore the economic impact of gender inequality. If every girl completed secondary school, country GDPs would rise by 10%.

News & press
October 15, 2020

Engaging young boys is a key to achieving gender equality and healthy manhood reveals new research

Washington, D.C. — A first-of-its-kind, research-backed initiative focused on boyhood, founded by Promundo and the Kering Foundation in partnership with Plan International, launches today in the United States (US) with plans to expand internationally.

2/3 of parents in the US say boys aren’t comfortable expressing when they’re scared, sad, lonely, or unsure of themselves; Nearly half say boys aren’t comfortable expressing love.
At least 72% of young men (18-30 years old) in the US say they’ve been told “a ‘real man’ behaves ‘a certain way’”: which involves being heterosexual, tough, and a risk-taker.
Young men who embrace harmful masculine norms are 5 times more likely to bully (verbally, online or physically) or sexually harass someone; and twice as likely to experience depression or suicidal ideation.
To prevent violence, and raise a more connected, emotionally healthy, gender-equal generation, adults must support boys’ emotional skills and their ability to build and maintain a network of strong, caring relationships.

The Global Boyhood Initiative (GBI), founded by Promundo and the Kering Foundation in partnership with Plan International with the support of Gucci’s Chime For Change, launches today in the United States and will expand internationally in 2021. The Global Boyhood Initiative aims to equip adults with the tools and resources to raise, teach, and coach boys (aged 4-13) to share emotions in healthy ways, accept and connect with others, stand up and speak out against inequality, and break free from stereotypes. The initiative is focused on long-term systems change and aims to impact every level of the child’s environment – at home, school, in the media – to support boys to be healthy, emotionally connected, and nonviolent; it ultimately aims to prevent violence and achieve gender equality.

The Global Boyhood Initiative launches with:

A Conversation Starter filter on Instagram with simple questions for kids and their parents to start meaningful conversations; Access by searching Instagram Stories or Reels for @BoyhoodInitiative
A free, downloadable Boyhood Initiative Conversation Starter Card Deck, designed to deepen conversations between parents and kids, encouraging boys to be emotionally brave, accept and connect with others, and embrace gender equality. Access here: www.BoyhoodInitiative.org/Deck
Episode 1 of a #BraveryIs IGTV Series, looking at how artists and musicians use their art to express difficult emotions featuring Kevin Bacon, will be available Thursday, October 15 at 6:00pm EDT. The series will feature artists including Justin Michael Williams, Man One, and Ziggy Marley. Access here: www.Instagram.com/BoyhoodInitiative
State of America’s Boys report, which complements existing research for the Global Boyhood Initiative; Access here: www.BoyhoodInitiative.org

Follow @BoyhoodInitiative on Instagram, and visit: www.BoyhoodInitiative.org

Why an Initiative on Boyhood:

Two-thirds of parents in the US say boys aren’t comfortable expressing when they’re scared, sad, lonely or unsure of themselves; Nearly half say boys aren’t comfortable expressing love. Everyday, boys encounter messages about what it means to “act like a boy” – in families, schools, sports programs, neighborhoods, media and digital worlds – and embracing these messages has long-term consequences. According to research by Promundo and partners: At least 72% of young men (18-30 years old) in the US say they’ve been told “a ‘real man’ behaves ‘a certain way’” at some point in their life: which involves being heterosexual, tough, and a risk-taker.

Young men who embrace these harmful masculine norms are 5 times more likely to bully (verbally, online or physically) or sexually harass someone; and twice as likely to experience depression or suicidal ideation. And research finds that these and other impacts start young: boys use substances like alcohol and tobacco, drive more recklessly, engage in unsafe sex and in other kinds of dangerous activities more frequently than girls do.

The new, State of America’s Boys report presents research and expert perspectives and investigates what it is about boyhood that too often plants the seed for such destructive and self-defeating behavior – why open and authentic boys may become more guarded, cynical, and disconnected as they grow. The report points to the need for adults to support boys’ relational and emotional skills and their ability to build and maintain a network of strong, caring relationships as keys to raising a more connected, emotionally healthy, gender-equal generation.

While most parents want healthy masculinity – honesty, respect, and emotional health – for their sons, they worry that if their sons show vulnerability, talk about love, show fear, imagine anything other than heterosexual identities, they will be bullied by their peer groups. Nearly 2/3 of survey respondents agreed with the statement, “My parents taught me that a “real man” should act strong even if he feels nervous or scared.” The report calls on parents to model and help their sons affirm a healthier vision of manhood, critically consume media, and resist harmful pressures.

In schools, the report affirms that boys receive accolades, acceptance, and respect from being rigidly heterosexual, demonstrably athletic, and dominating (of girls and of other boys), emotionally stoic, bold and aggressive, and anti-academic – and that those who deviate are corrected, threatened, even bullied. This reinforcement of stereotypes can teach boys to separate their private thoughts and feelings from their public selves; and one cost of this may be a long-standing gender achievement gap in schools, where boys fall behind – with their soft skills lacking even before kindergarten. The report however, affirms that when teachers and educators are engaged, paying attention to, seeing and understanding boys, it can support boys to reconnect to their studies in authentic and successful ways.

Cultural and social norms about masculinity, particularly those that restrict emotional expression and cause social isolation, undermine boys’ and men’s mental and physical health and are a root cause of violence against women and other men. In the name of greater emotional connection, violence prevention, gender equality, and public health, these norms must be changed.

Visit: www.BoyhoodInitiative.org

Follow: @boyhoodinitiative

Contact:

Alexa Hassink I Director of Communications, Promundo I [email protected]

Carly Newman I Project Manager, Kering Foundation I [email protected]

Notes to Editor:

About Promundo

Founded in Brazil in 1997, Promundo works to promote gender equality and create a world free from violence by engaging men and boys in partnership with women, girls, and individuals of all gender identities. Promundo is a global consortium with members in the United States, Brazil, Portugal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Chile that collaborate to achieve this mission by conducting cutting-edge research that builds the knowledge base on masculinities and gender equality; developing, evaluating, and scaling up high-impact interventions and programs; and carrying out national and international campaigns and advocacy initiatives to prevent violence and promote gender equality. For more information, visit: promundoglobal.org

About the Kering Foundation

Worldwide, 1 in 3 women is or will be a victim of violence during her lifetime. Since 2008, the Kering Foundation combats this violence that affects all cultures and all social classes. To maximize its impact, the Foundation works hand in hand with a limited number of local partners in the three main regions where the Group operates: the American continent, Western Europe and Asia. The Foundation supports local survivor-centered organizations that provide comprehensive services to women, and, since 2018, has begun working with younger generations, particularly young men and boys, to combat violence against women through prevention programs. The Foundation also seeks to change behaviors within Kering and in society in general. It offers training sessions on domestic violence for Kering employees and created, in 2018, alongside the FACE Foundation, “One in Three Women”, the first European network of companies engaged against gender-based violence. www.KeringFoundation.org

About the Global Boyhood Initiative

Launching in the United States and expanding globally the Global Boyhood Initiative (GBI) is led by Promundo and the Kering Foundation in partnership with Plan International. It will reach adults in boys’ lives and equip them with tools and resources for raising, teaching, coaching, and setting an example for boys to become men who embrace healthy masculinity and gender equality. The Global Boyhood Initiative will include: a digital and media campaign; an interactive platform featuring evidence-based approaches, tools, and content; and a global network of organizations supporting and engaging boys (ages 4-13) and their families. Learn more: www.BoyhoodInitiative.org.

Insights
May 29, 2020

The equality accelerator: Funding girl-led organizations

With less than 1% of international development funding going to women-led organizations, where do girl-led organizations in the Global South find resources for their programming, activism and advocacy efforts? This was a question posed to Plan International’s Innovation Hub in 2019.

Through a series of consultations, girl activists considered this question and others like it. It quickly became apparent that there are lots of funding databases that already exist; however, they are not youth-friendly, nor are they regularly updated. In addition, applications can be long, convoluted and inconsistent. Existing databases often lack funding options specific to girls and their needs, particularly in the Global South. In general, girls felt they had limited access to key decision-makers and partners, which can be a factor in their overall success. These barriers were keeping girl-led organizations from locating and accessing resources, limiting their scale and impact.

Funding for girl-led organizations continues to be critical during crises like COVID-19. As resources are diverted to humanitarian response, girls get left out and left behind. This happens again and again and again.

So, what would a girl-friendly database look like?

Flexible funding: The database needs to offer traditional and nontraditional funding sources, such as crowdfunding opportunities, community fundraising and municipal government funding.
Application: There is a need for a consistent application and funding model for all opportunities — something like the Common Application used by students in the U.S. to apply for college. In addition, there is a need to put support systems in place to help marginalized girls access assistance when filling out applications.
Mapping: A girl-friendly funding database provides useful information to users by mapping seasonal trends that show how funding opportunities are flowing, as well as hot spots and gaps throughout the year.
Tools and resources: Girls are looking for tools and resources to access funding and manage grants. There is a need to grow the capabilities of young people to manage funds, create a bigger impact and develop compelling reports, which can lead to more funding. They also want to help others out in the process and are looking for a collaborative hub to share knowledge. The website and tools need to be readily available and easy to understand.
Network building: Girls would like to build a community where other like-minded organizations can come together and collaborate.
No branding: Youth activists are more likely to use a site that is unbranded and not linked to one specific organization. This is a matter of trust for youth civil society organizations.

Equipped with this information, Plan International created the Equality Accelerator, built by and for girls.

How does it work?

Externally, a pilot has been launched in Guatemala and Brazil for one year. It is backed by Plan International, Mama Cash, CIVICUS, Frieda and other partners. Youth can search the database for funding opportunities or create a project page for crowdfunding. Plan staff are available to assist with applications at the community level to ensure that marginalized groups are able to access funds. In light of COVID-19, this is taking place through text messaging with free responses. Advertisements will be sent through youth networks, radio spots, social media channels and local partners.

To address the specific needs of girls, the Equality Accelerator has a resource hub that they can contribute to and where partners can upload resources they feel are helpful. In addition, a community page has been designed where groups can create profiles and communicate with each other. Funded groups will be able to access training and organize face-to-face meetings at the country level. This will allow girl-led organizations to build their capacity and local networks, as well as share successes and challenges. The Accelerator includes a mapping feature to help young people better understand funding cycles and where funds are currently being focused. And, the Accelerator contains no branding, though users can find information about how the site is supported in the FAQ section.

Internally, this new platform requires unlearning business as usual for Plan staff. Training for staff is focused on shifting attitudes; finance and compliance reporting processes; and related areas where bureaucracy and compliance measures hinder the ability to be girl-friendly. For the Accelerator to be successful, we need to remove barriers, which requires new ways of doing business.

In a rapidly changing world, girls are embracing innovation and providing unique perspectives on some of the most pressing issues of our time. How can the international development community support girls’ influencing and advocacy efforts? Supporting their ideas, solutions and networks is critical to finding solutions to climate change, gender inequality and unemployment. However, it also requires organizations to engage girls at all stages of a project. Girls need access to the funds, tools and resources to implement ideas that reach new populations in relevant ways and address the issues that are most critical for youth today. Youth should not just be invited to the table; they need to play a leading role in setting the agenda and strategic priorities.

Are you interested in giving girls access to real funding and decision-making power? Join the Equality Accelerator.

For more articles of this nature, sign up for From Plan to Action, a quarterly newsletter that highlights the technical work of Plan International USA.

News & press
May 27, 2020

Kotex brand marks 100th anniversary with Global She Can Initiative to fast forward women’s progress

DALLAS — The global COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the strength of women around the world who are leading the response as doctors, nurses, scientists, engineers, farmers, public servants, volunteers and in many other essential roles. At the same time, the job loss resulting from pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women and has left more than 743 million girls in 185 countries out of school.

In response, Kimberly-Clark and its Kotex brand are engaging consumers, communities and employees in a global effort, the Kotex She Can Initiative, to fight stigma within society, ensure access to education, and open doors for women and girls to pursue their dreams.

“The stigma attached to menstruation or simply the lack of access to products will keep millions of women and girls from pursuing dreams of becoming one of those heroes on the front lines,” said Juanita Pelaez, Kimberly-Clark. “The Kotex She Can Initiative is a long-term effort to build a future where a period never gets in the way of any woman’s progress.”

Kimberly-Clark’s commitment to menstrual hygiene was born from insights of women working as war-time nurses more than 100 years ago, who stitched together hygiene pads made from Kimberly-Clark’s cellucotton bandages so they could stay on the front lines during their period. When the Kotex brand was introduced in 1920, the stigma attached to menstruation required it to be sold in a plain, unmarked box behind a pharmacy counter.

One hundred years later, the company and the Kotex brand remain focused on eliminating stigma, improving access and improving key outcomes for women and girls in the areas of education and overall health and wellness.

The Kotex She Can Initiative will focus its social impact of Kimberly-Clark’s feminine care brands in four key areas:

Address lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and education, through the Alliance for Period Supplies and other efforts around the world;
Partnership with Plan International to invest $2.5 million over three years into girl-centered solutions for basic menstrual hygiene management and education, reach a total of 1.6 million individuals and help women and girls confidently and comfortably manage their periods through our overarching partnership with Plan International;
Enabling a supportive environment and increasing knowledge and skills for girls, boys and teachers to destigmatize menstruation; and
Investments and grants through efforts around the globe to open doors for women to pursue independent futures.

“For years, menstruation has kept girls and women from opportunities,” said Dr. Tessie San Martin, President and CEO of Plan International USA. “Kotex and Plan have worked in partnership to dismantle the stigma associated with periods, while providing access to education to help women and girls in marginalized communities manage menstruation and improve hygiene. I’m beyond excited that we’re expanding this work. We’ve covered a lot of ground but we still have ways to go.”

Kimberly-Clark and Kotex are sponsors of Menstrual Hygiene Day, a global awareness program launched by WASH United in 2014 to bring global attention to the lack of menstrual hygiene management access, education and sanitation affecting millions of women and girls. In the US, U by Kotex is the founding sponsor of the Alliance for Period Supplies, which is raising awareness through Period Poverty Awareness Week.

“Over the past five months, we’ve donated millions of Kotex products to COVID-19 response and relief efforts around the world,” added Pelaez. “We know that we can do more to help her rebuild the future of our communities, and the Kotex She Can Initiative will provide sustained support for women and girls whose futures can be changed through access to period supplies, community education and an independent future.”

To learn more about the She Can Initiative, visit Kimberly-Clark.com/Kotex-She-Can-Initiative

About Kotex

Our Kotex, U by Kotex and Intimus brands aim to ensure a period never gets in the way of any woman’s progress. Kimberly-Clark created the feminine care category with the launch of the Kotex brand 100 years ago, and today, its products are trusted by millions of women in more than 100 countries to provide outstanding protection and inspire confidence that period or not, she can.

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people’s most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what’s important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company’s 148-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

About Alliance for Period Supplies

The Alliance for Period Supplies is an initiative of the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leads a nationwide movement aimed at helping individuals and families who struggle to afford material basic needs. Launched in May 2018, with the support of founding sponsor U by Kotex, the Alliance for Period Supplies raises national awareness of period poverty (#endperiodpoverty) and supports the development and expansion of period supply programs in communities throughout the country. The organization is comprised of Allied Programs that collect, warehouse and distribute menstrual/period supplies in local communities. More information on Alliance for Period Supplies is available at allianceforperiodsupplies.org, and on Twitter and Facebook.

About Plan International USA

Powered by supporters, Plan International USA partners with adolescent girls, young women and children around the world to overcome oppression and gender inequality, providing the support and resources that are unique to their needs and the needs of their communities, ensuring they achieve their full potential with dignity, opportunity and safety. Founded in 1937, Plan is an independent development and humanitarian organization that is active in more than 80 countries.

Blog
May 21, 2020

Ending the unhealthy stigma

Fatima is a member of Plan International USA’s Youth Advisory Board.

Imagine this. You’re a 13-year-old girl from Nepal, and you just got your period. Not only are you forced to skip school today, but you’re also sent to a “menstrual hut” because you’re believed to be impure. You find yourself all alone in the forest, completely exposed to mosquitoes, animals, insects and men. It’s an unsanitary place where the day’s humidity consumes you, and the night’s rain makes you shiver. No bathroom. No shelter. No safety. The number of diseases and infections that you could acquire are endless, and your mental health is being tested more and more as each day passes.

This is a reality that many girls in Nepal have to endure every month. This “tradition” was made illegal in 2017, yet it is continually practiced due to the culture of taboo surrounding menstruation. Not just in Nepal, but around the world, girls and women are treated with shame when they menstruate. But the stigma needs to end.

Stigma around menstruation affects all aspects of a girl’s life: health, education, work and dignity.

Health

In low-income countries and communities, girls and women don’t have access to feminine products, toilets, bathrooms, clean water or even private spaces to take care of their hygiene. Mental health is also a huge concern because of the shame that girls endure from their families, friends, teachers and community leaders. And that shame stems from the stigma around menstruation that is embedded in their cultures.

Education

Girls often have to stay home from school because they don’t have the resources to safely manage their periods and feel comfortable going to class. This directly affects girls’ academic development. Not only does skipping school make a girl fall behind in her education, but also creates high stress and anxiety.

Work

Similar to girls missing school, young women often can’t to go to work while menstruating if they don’t have menstrual products or are forced to isolate. This creates an even greater barrier preventing women from succeeding in their careers. And looking at the bigger picture, this impedes women from achieving high leadership positions, and therefore, having the authority in society to make positive changes surrounding gender equality.

Dignity

If girls don’t have the resources and support needed when they get their periods, they can’t live with dignity. The lack of sanitation, the shame, the seclusion and the stigma that girls have to experience during menstruation robs them of their livelihoods. And if girls can’t live equally, they can’t take full advantage of their potential.

In the past decade, we’ve seen issues around period poverty emerge more and more in conversation. And as the media amplifies that awareness, the need for accessible menstrual health management is becoming harder to ignore. Popularly advertised among period product companies has been the “buy one, give one” business model — Lunapads started a One4Her campaign, donating pads to low-income communities, and Conscious Period, an organic brand, also follows the same model.

Giving away free menstrual supplies helps, but it is not a sustainable solution for girls. It is simply not enough to create lasting change.

So what can be done?

Schools, health facilities, governments and media channels that influence cultural norms need to work to permanently end period stigma.

Schools and health facilities: Schools around the world should implement a universal health curriculum that includes menstrual and reproductive health, teaching young people of all genders how bodies function and what is needed to manage menstruation. Health facilities everywhere must also be transparent with girls and young women about their health, letting them know that they don’t need to be ashamed of what’s normal.

After-school activities and government: After-school clubs also play a big role in allowing young girls to feel empowered to lead their classmates in discussions and activities. Creating safe spaces for girls and young women to express their concerns, experiences and questions should be prioritized by governments. This will normalize the period conversation, while slowly chipping away at the stigma.

Media: Gen Z and Millennials around the world are the main consumers of media. So, it’s important to take full advantage of radio, television, magazines and newspapers so that young people can have the knowledge to create change for the future. This could include creating a radio talk show where women and girls can have “unplugged conversations” about menstruation and health.

But there’s a catch here. People in power tend to impose their ways, without considering cultures outside of their own. This is why it’s crucial to work with the young women and girls and have them be the leaders of change. We women and girls must be the driving force of this movement to normalize menstruation, and our personal experiences and perspectives should be at the center of all solutions.

To directly help girls and make an immediate impact, make a donation to Plan.

Report & Resource
May 1, 2020

Youth advocacy toolkit

UNESCO: Keeping girls in the picture: Youth advocacy toolkit

News & press
February 20, 2020

Plan International USA among top 100 proposals for MacArthur $100 million grant

Washington, DC — Plan International USA (Plan) today announced the organization is among the highest-scoring 100 proposals for the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change competition. Nearly 4,000 organization entered for a single $100 million grant to help solve one of the world’s most critical social challenges.

For people to count, they must first be counted. Plan and its partners, Vital Strategies, Jembi Health Systems, Simprints, and the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, entered the competition with a bold solution for the world’s identity crisis. A quality civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system records major life events like births, deaths, and marriages and is critical to a country delivering services, raising revenues, and progressing on more than half of the Sustainable Development Goals. The consortium proposes to take a holistic CRVS systems-strengthening model that is adapted for local needs. The OpenCRVS software platform will enable collaboration with governments to register every birth and death, and ensure that every individual on the planet is recognized, protected and provided for from birth.

“Five hundred million children have no official identification,” says Dr. Tessie San Martin, President and CEO of Plan International USA. “Birth registration is one of the basic rights of a child. It is the foundation for protection and well-being and ensuring that every child can learn, lead, decide, and thrive. This project can have a transformational impact on millions of children and prove a scalable model for universal registration globally. This bold solution requires bold investment.”

The Top 100 represent the top 21 percent of competition submissions. The proposals were rigorously vetted, undergoing MacArthur’s initial administrative review, a Peer-to-Peer review, an evaluation by an external panel of judges, and a technical review by specialists whose expertise was matched to the project.

Each proposal was evaluated using four criteria: impactful, evidence-based, feasible, and durable. MacArthur’s Board of Directors will select up to 10 finalists from these high-scoring proposals this spring.

“MacArthur seeks to generate increased recognition, exposure, and support for the high-impact ideas designated as the Top 100,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change and MacArthur Managing Director, 100&Change. “Based on our experience in the first round of 100&Change, we know the competition will produce multiple compelling and fundable ideas. We are committed to matching philanthropists with powerful solutions and problem solvers to accelerate social change.”

Bold Solutions Network Launches

The Bold Solutions Network launched today, featuring Plan as one of the Top 100 from 100&Change. The searchable online collection of submissions contains a project overview, 90-second video, and two-page factsheet for each proposal. Visitors can sort by subject, location, Sustainable Development Goal, or beneficiary population to view proposals based on area of interest.

The Bold Solutions Network will showcase the highest-rated proposals that emerge from the competitions Lever for Change manages. Proposals in the Bold Solutions Network undergo extensive evaluation and due diligence to ensure each solution promises real and measurable progress to accelerate social change.

The Bold Solutions Network was designed to provide an innovative approach to identifying the most effective, enduring solutions aligned with donors’ philanthropic goals and to help top applicants gain visibility and funding from a wide array of funders. Organizations that are part of the network will have continued access to a variety of technical support and learning opportunities focused on strengthening their proposals and increasing the impact of their work.

About Plan International USA
Plan International USA is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan believes in the power and potential of young people. Working together with children, young people, supporters, and partners, Plan strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

For more information, please visit PlanUSA.org.

More About 100&Change

100&Change is a distinctive competition that is open to organizations and collaborations working in any field, anywhere in the world. Proposals must identify a problem and offer a solution that promises significant and durable change.

The second round of the competition had a promising start: 3,690 competition registrants submitted 755 proposals. Of those, 475 passed an initial administrative review. 100&Change was designed to be fair, open, and transparent. The identity of the judges and the methodology used to assess initial proposals are public. Applicants received comments and feedback from the peers, judges, and technical reviewers. Key issues in the competition are discussed in a blog on MacArthur’s website.