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Plan International was quoted in Devex as Congress debates the future of US foreign aid amid political pressure and funding uncertainty. The article examines whether recent congressional statements will translate into real protections for aid budgets ā and what that could mean for partners and communities worldwide.
Read more in Devex: Devex Newswire: Congress speaks up about US foreign aid. Will it matter?
Words: Anniek Groothuis
Photos: Mona van den Berg
In Ethiopiaās Afar region, where tradition shapes every stage of life, a girlās future is often decided within days of her birth. For generations, female genital mutilation has been considered inevitable, a practice carried out in silence, fear and conformity. But some parents are choosing a different path.
Through these stories, we meet mothers, fathers and daughters who are quietly defying expectations to protect girls from harm. Their choices reflect courage in everyday moments: a decision made at home, a conversation in a classroom or a community beginning to shift. Against a harsh landscape and powerful social pressure, these accounts reveal how change begins, one family, one choice at a time.
āI am relieved I was spared FGM.ā
Hayat, 14
Hayat, 14, and her mother Birtukan, 38
Relieved not to be cut
In Ethiopiaās Afar region, 14-year-old Hayat rests her head on her mother Birtukanās shoulder, a powerful image of love and resistance. Despite cultural pressure, Birtukan refused to subject her daughter to FGM, choosing health, hope and a different future.
āI am relieved I was spared FGM, because I could have bled a lot. There is also the risk of HIV/AIDS and the risk of fistula during childbirth due to cutting,ā says 14-year-old Hayat.
Her mother Birtukan explains, āWhen I was pregnant, before I gave birth, I experienced pressure to have my daughter cut. I heard that circumcision is harmful to women due to diseases and many consequences that follow. I have learned a lot about it. So I did not cut my child.ā
āIn everything we hear, in education and on the radio, it is a harmful practice that exposes girls to a lot of bleeding. I hear about fistula disease. In general, it is completely harmful. In Afar, especially in the remote areas, there is a saying that if a girl is not cut, her desire for men increases. But thatās not true. You cannot link that to not being circumcised.ā
Shishig, 34, and her daughter Eman, 14
TV broadcasts sparked her awakening
Shishig, 34, embraces her daughter Eman, 14, in a moment of solidarity and strength. In a community where FGM has long been the norm, Shishig stood firm and said no after learning about the dangers through TV campaigns.
Shishig learned about the dangers of FGM through TV broadcasts. āI saw on television the message: āDonāt circumcise your children, donāt cut them.ā Female genital mutilation is harmful, we see it in advertisements and dramas. Thatās why I didnāt cut my children. I learned this on my own. I just saw it on television and I didnāt cut my daughters. I am also not cut.ā
FGM is rarely spoken about openly. Even with public messages, awareness is still limited, especially in remote communities. āBut I knew it can cause children to bleed to death and has lifelong consequences. Women experience problems during menstruation, have difficulty urinating and face a high risk of infections. It is extremely dangerous. That is why I decided to protect my daughter.ā
She recalls one tragic case: āIn our area I have seen one girl who was cut and bled a lot and they could not take her to hospital because the cutting could not be disclosed to others.ā
Although she herself is not cut, many of her friends are. After conversations, they now also advocate for abandoning the practice. āWe should not cut children. It is harmful.ā
āWe should not cut children. It is harmful.ā
Zehara, 37, and her daughter Fatuma, 14
Educating others to break the cycle
A mother and daughter in Afar stand together, reflecting the strength of families choosing to protect girls from harm.
Zehara is a teacher and facilitator of a Girlsā Club at her school, an initiative established by Plan International to teach girls about their rights. āWe know that cutting harms us. We are torn apart,ā she says.
She acknowledges the pressure from the older generation. āSome people say: āThis is our culture.ā But something that harms girls is not culture. Thatās what I tell them.ā
Zehara told a story to fellow parents about a 17-year-old girl with a swollen abdomen. Her father thought she was pregnant, but the real cause was the buildup of menstrual blood due to FGM. The situation was life-threatening. āThat made the parents stop and think.ā
Fatuma, a club member, speaks out against FGM and encourages others. āItās better not to be cut, because it causes harm later in life,ā she says.
Zehara remains hopeful: āThe community is changing now. If training and awareness-raising continues, it can become sustainable. We can save our community.ā
Ali, 48, and his daughter Seyida, 14
A father taking a stand
In Afar, fathers often have the final say in family decisions. Ali believes men must also take a stand and openly reject FGM.
āAll my daughters are uncut,ā says Ali. In Afar, fathers often have the final say in family decisions. Thatās why Ali believes men must also take a stand. He openly discusses FGM and encourages other fathers to reject the practice.
āFemale genital mutilation is often seen as a fixed part of our society,ā he says. āBut it is something that has developed over time. Something that started at a certain point can also be brought to an end.ā
His daughter Seyida shares her concerns: āThe genital mutilation practiced in Afar is very severe. When a girl is pregnant and wants to give birth, the doctor may refuse her because she is already cut. Then sheās cut again at the doctorās office. How many times can one girl be cut?ā
āIt is a difficult process, but together we can stop FGM,ā Seyida adds.
Ali believes change is possible: āWhen we advocate for our children, things will gradually become better.ā
Sinidu, 34, and her daughter Mekidas, 13
Knowing the law, making a choice
Families are making informed choices to protect girls, even when social pressure is strong.
āItās better for a girl not to be cut. They bleed a lot while being cut. Itās better for menstruation not to be cut,ā says Sinidu.
She is well aware that FGM is illegal and punishable by law. Her decision to protect her daughter was motivated by both legal understanding and what she has seen firsthand in her community.
Shimelis, 38, and his daughter Betelihem, 13
Calling out harmful practices
Fathers speaking out can shift norms, especially in communities where men influence family decisions.
āIt is an obligation to say that a girl should not be mutilated, to save the girl,ā says Shimelis. āIt was historically accepted, but the cutting of girls has nothing to do with religion. To tell the truth, it does not.ā
He continues, āIn the past, it was said that it is tradition. But it is time for development. We shouldnāt let anyone think otherwise.ā
Meyirema, 40, and her daughter Sumeya, 14
Facing resistance, choosing education
Some parents face backlash for protecting their daughters, but they stay firm and keep advocating for girlsā health, safety and right to learn.
āIf you are cut, childbirth becomes dangerous,ā explains Meyirema. āThe baby cannot come out, it becomes stuck and dies unless you are cut open. Many women do not understand this. And still they continue cutting girls. It is unbelievable.ā
She faced backlash for protecting her daughter: āOlder people say I am spreading bad ideas. They do not support me. But we do not listen to them.ā
Sumeya recalls the stigma: āPeople said if a girl is not cut, she will break things and wonāt be a good wife. They believed men would reject her.ā
But attitudes are changing. āNow we receive training about the consequences of FGM. Weāll start spreading what we learn at school and beyond,ā says Sumeya.
Women We Admire highlights new global research conducted with Plan International that explores how girls and young women define leadership and the barriers they expect to face. Drawing on insights from nearly 10,000 participants across 19 countries, the findings show high leadership ambition alongside persistent expectations of inequality.
Read more: Research finds leadership ambition high among girls worldwide
Since April 2023, while many countries have seen progress in development, recovery and climate action, Sudan has endured the opposite. The countryās security, health, environment and education systems have continued to collapse under the weight of an ongoing conflict that has now lasted nearly 1,000 days.
As humanitarian workers, we witness daily the suffering of communities trapped in besieged areas, where access is extremely limited. Aid convoys are delayed, blocked or even targeted, and unarmed civilians ā particularly women and children ā are increasingly caught in the crossfire.
Women and girls bear the heaviest burden. Their bodies have become battlefields in a war marked by widespread sexual and physical violence. Many children arrive alone at displacement shelters, separated from their families during long, dangerous journeys.
During a recent mission to Al-Aafad in Northern State, I met women and girls who had fled El Fasher. They shared harrowing stories: of watching their families killed, homes destroyed by shelling and lives shattered in a single night.
One woman told me she buried her children in the yard after they died of hunger. Another does not know the fate of her missing husband and son. A young girl said her education ended when the conflict began ā and her sense of safety was lost after she was sexually assaulted while trying to flee. Another woman watched her sister die instantly during a shelling attack, leaving behind seven children.
These are not isolated accounts. They represent the daily reality for millions across Sudan. After nearly 1,000 days of conflict, the people of Sudan must not be forgotten. The scale of suffering demands sustained global attention, meaningful action and full accountability.
As a displaced Sudanese mother who knows the pain of raising children in conflict, I urge the international community ā governments, donors, media and civil society ā to act:
1. Keep Sudan on global political and humanitarian agendas.
2. Amplify the voices of Sudanese women, girls and communities whose stories are often left unheard.
3. Advocate for the protection of civilians ā especially women and children ā and demand accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.
4. Ensure sustained, flexible humanitarian funding to reach those in besieged and hard-to-access areas.
5. Support access and safety for humanitarian workers so they can deliver life-saving aid without obstruction.
After 1,000 days of war, our commitment remains strong. The needs are overwhelming. Resources are scarce. Funding is falling short. But giving up is not an option.
A New York Times investigation into Elon Muskās Department of Government Efficiency found that sweeping federal cuts caused widespread disruption while delivering far less savings than claimed. Among the programs affected were 13 Plan International USA grants, including education initiatives designed to keep girls in school and prevent early and forced marriage.
As Plan International USA president and CEO, Shanna Marzilli, told The New York Times, āWhen we left, a lot of parents could no longer afford to send their children to school,ā underscoring how abrupt funding decisions can reverse progress for children and girls, even when the dollar amounts appear small.
Read more in The New York Times: How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little?
A year-end MediaPost roundup of the most-read advertising stories of 2025 highlights how celebrity campaigns, emerging technologies, and cause-based marketing are shaping public conversation.
Among the top stories was Plan Internationalās International Womenās Day campaign with Paramount and KFC, Empower Girls. Change the Future., launched amid global setbacks on gender equality and cuts to development funding.
The list also reflects growing scrutiny of how brands use artificial intelligence, underscoring why ethical influence, transparency, and accountability matter when corporate power intersects with public trust and social impact.
Read more at Marketing Daily: Celebs, Reactions To AI, Changes In Bev Companies: Most-Read Stories
Because of you, children ā especially girls ā found safety and opportunity in a year of both crisis and recovery. Here are 12 photos that show the impact you made in 2025.
You helped to provide students in Lebanon ā and around the world ā with the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond. | Ā©Plan International
With support from our corporate partners and donors like you, Plan distributed 1,400 backpacks to students in Lebanon, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru and Uganda. Thank you for helping children to show up at school prepared, proud and ready to learn.
Since joining Plan’s sponsorship program, Merly has grown more confident and is thriving in school. | Ā© Plan International
In a remote indigenous community in Guatemala, 11-year-old Merly is a confident girl who loves to play soccer and recite poetry. But this wasn’t always her story.
Not long ago, Merly watched soccer games from the sidelines. She struggled to speak up in class or to connect with classmates.
Her shyness wasn’t the only challenge she faced. At home, her family struggled to make ends meet. But everything changed when Merly joined Planās sponsorship program. The program provided the school supplies she needed to succeed in school, and it gave her something even more valuable ā belief in herself.
Gradually, Merly began raising her hand in class, sharing her poetry and joining soccer games.
“Now I’m not afraid anymore,” Merly says. “I want to support girls so they can achieve their dreams, just like me.ā
Sandra, 19, speaks at an event hosted by Plan during the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women in New York. | Joel Sheakoski, Ā© Plan International
At the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women in March, youth advocates from Plan International’s official delegation ensured adolescent girls’ voices were heard. Because of you, young leaders like Sandra, a member of Plan USA’s Youth Advisory Board, co-wrote a petition with over 40,000 signatures for digital literacy, co-created recommendations for Meta to address online gender-based violence and advised the State of the World’s Girls Report.
Sreykorn, 8, can concentrate on school now, instead of collecting water. | Ā© Plan International
Clean water is a basic human right that millions still lack. Without it, children get sick and miss school. Girls like 8-year-old Sreykorn in Cambodia spend hours collecting water instead of learning. To address these barriers to children’s health and education, Plan distributed water tanks to communities, including Sreykorn’s.
“I used to spend more than an hour each day collecting water,” Sreykorn says. “Since the new water pump was installed, it takes just 10 minutes to get clean water close to our home.”
Thank you for delivering the most basic building block of a healthy childhood: safe water near home.
Children participate in a group activity at a child-friendly space in Myanmarās Mandalay region. These spaces have helped thousands of children recover through play, learning and psychosocial support. | Ā© Plan International
After a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, you reached over 83,000 people with food, clean water and shelter kits. Plan set up 23 child-friendly spaces where 5,300 children found safety and emotional support. These safe spaces gave families a path to recovery and helped children rebuild their routines.
With your support, Plan’s emergency response in Gaza has reached more than 250,000 people with lifesaving aid, including food, clean water and hygiene kits. | Ahmed Salama, Ā© Plan International
Nearly every school in Gaza has been damaged, cutting children off from safety and learning. With your help, we reached more than 250,000 people with lifesaving aid, including food, clean water and hygiene kits. Parts of Gaza are facing famine and record rates of malnutrition, so we are preparing nutrition supplies, winterization kits and school materials to restore learning.
Savings groups make it possible for more parents in Tanzania to send their children to school. | Ā© Plan International
You helped establish 62 savings groups in Kisarawe, benefiting more than 1,000 parents of sponsored children in Tanzania. By saving together and accessing small loans, families are able to invest in small businesses and cover school costs. Thank you for backing a simple, proven idea that grows income, strengthens resilience and keeps children learning.
Carla, 18, is a young leader in Guinea-Bissau who is advocating for menstrual health education and supplies, so that girls can stay healthy and in school. | Ā© Plan International
On Menstrual Health Day (May 28), 18-year-old Carla spoke to an audience of girls, women and government leaders in Guinea-Bissau about what girls need to manage their periods. She asked for menstrual health education, clean, private bathrooms at school and supplies like reusable pads.
“These changes will help thousands of girls in Guinea-Bissau feel confident about their periods and stay in school,” Carla says.
Helga, 9, enjoys spending time at the child-friendly space near her home in Ukraine. | Ā© Plan International
In war-torn Ukraine, 9-year-old Helga found sanctuary at a child-friendly space near home.
“When the center opened, it was like a miracle!” Helga says. “I go there every day. My friends are there and there are so many interesting things we can do together.”
Thank you for bringing back play, friendship and hope amid conflict.
Nyabhan, 19, is fighting against child marriage and advocating for girls’ rights in her community in Ethiopia. | Enzo Mauro Tabet Cruz, Ā© Plan International
Nyabhan, 19, is an adolescent advisor with Plan International’s Adolescent Participation in Humanitarian Action program in Ethiopia. She works to empower young people in crisis settings to lead and create change.
āI want to see fewer girls dropping out of school, and I want to tackle child, early and forced marriage,ā Nyabhan shares. āI also want to influence decision-makers to provide better support for adolescents and young people.ā
Thank you for helping girls lead change in their communities.
Mitzy (center), 15, is helping to keep girls safe in her community, thanks to your support. | Ā© Plan International
In rural Cusco, girls like 15-year-old Mitzy face gender stereotypes, bullying and violence. Yet Mitzy refuses to let these barriers define her or her peers. Through Plan’s Decide Without Violence project, she has become a beacon of change in her community, leading workshops in her school to educate others about preventing gender-based violence.
Mitzy is one of 569,000 adolescent girls and young women across South America trained by Plan International to lead transformative change in their communities.
“These activities make me feel good because I am helping women, girls and adolescents to have safe spaces where they can express themselves freely,” Mitzy says.
Young people in Indonesia are learning about sustainable farming that strengthens families and communities. | Ā© Plan International
In drought-prone Lembata, agriculture is vital but fragile. This year, 27 young people learned smart farming methods that protect soil, conserve water and improve yields. Practical skills today mean food on the table tomorrow ā and keeping girls in school. Thank you for investing in sustainable farming that strengthens families and communities.
Your support is transforming communities and helping children, especially girls, to learn, lead, decide and thrive. Together, we’ll create even more positive change in 2026 ā and we won’t stop until we’re all equal!
Educational experiences of adolescents in the context of pregnancy and parenthood in Paraguay
The research, conducted in communities in GuairĆ”, ParaguarĆ, San Pedro, and AsunciĆ³n, was based on 97 interviews with teenage mothers, their parents, teachers and community leaders.
Girls who become pregnant due to sexual violence, child marriage, or forced unions also face poverty and widespread discrimination, including school bullying, a new study by FLACSO Paraguay and Plan International reveals.
It shows that teenage pregnancy is not an isolated event, but connected to inequality and violence, which in turn reinforces exclusion from school and wider society.
The findings show that stigma in classrooms often turns into mockery, forcing girls out of school.
Emilia, now 17, became pregnant at 15
Concerningly, the interviews also found that many teenage pregnancies occur in contexts marked by violence, including sexual abuse and coercive relationships with adult men. FLACSO and Plan International warn that these situations leave girls isolated and vulnerable, cutting short their right to a full and safe adolescence.
Traditional expectations still place the burden of childcare almost entirely on girls and women, the report also found, reducing their chances of staying in school or continuing their education.
Emilia, now 17, became pregnant at 15
Another recurring pattern highlighted is the absence of men in parenting roles. The lack of recognition of adolescent fatherhood reinforces unequal dynamics and leaves young mothers to face the challenges alone.
The findings point to the need for stronger efforts to promote equality, shared responsibility and non-violence, conditions that are essential to protecting girls and preventing child pregnancy.
