Search Results
Search results for
- Insights
One month after Israelās seven commitments on humanitarian access: the realities on the ground as Rafah military offensive unfolds.
Following on the killing of seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen, the Government of Israel madeĀ seven commitments in a reported effort to increase humanitarian access into Gaza on April 6.
In this public briefing note, humanitarian actors operating in the Gaza Strip clarify what are the realities on the ground in Gaza: Israeli authorities have not implemented the pledged commitments they made to facilitate increased humanitarian access.
The NGOs see no significant improvement from Israeli authorities in alleviating dire challenges to provide life-saving aid for a population of 2.3 million on the verge of famine.
In this detailed paper describing the challenges for humanitarian access in Gaza, NGOs highlight that the current situation is only expected to deteriorate even further with the Israeli military invasion of Rafah, voicing concerns towards the potential closure of the Rafah crossing and the evacuation of aid actors from the governorate.
Third States must urgently put the looming Israeli military invasion of Rafah on top of their political agenda and create monumental diplomatic pressure to deter the Government of Israel from moving forward with its plan immediately.
- News & press
The U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, has awarded Plan International the USAID Equity and Inclusion in Education activity in Nepal. The award, which is up-to $20 million, began in September 2023 and will last for five years in the provinces of Karnali and Madhesh.
The activity will focus on improving equitable educational outcomes for marginalized young people in grades 6 ā 10 through three objectives: Reducing barriers to access and retention; improving quality of education; and strengthening the government of Nepal systems to improve equity and inclusion at the local level.
āThe USAID Equity and Inclusion in Education activity will listen directly to marginalized learners to understand the barriers they face in obtaining a quality education,ā Country Director for Plan International in Nepal Ram Kishan said. āYouth-driven solutions will be supported by local partners and by the government at the provincial and local levels.ā
Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility principles are written into project design. This includes recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of the community, and intentionally supports the most marginalized children and youth in Nepal.
In close collaboration with Ministry of Education Science and Technology, the activity will be co-led by Plan International and two Nepali nonprofits, Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Center in Karnali Province and Aasaman Nepal in Madhesh Province. In addition, OLE Nepal will provide digital educational solutions and Inclusive Development Partners will lead on designing inclusive learning tools and assessments for the project.
āAs we work to further the core tenets of localization, I am excited to partner with leading NGOs and organizations in Nepal,ā Plan International USA CEO & President Shanna Marzilli said. āThe activity leadership will be shared among our key partners so that expertise can truly be inclusive.ā
The project will target 1,927 schools from Karnali and Madhesh Provinces to carry out the MoESTās School Education Sector plan toward a more equitable and inclusive society. For more information, please visit: www.planusa.org/projects/nepal-usaid-equity-inclusion-education/.
For more information or interviews, please contact:
Maria Holsopple
Director, Communications & Creative Services
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 540.383.3628
Ā
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. We provide 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.
For more information, and to learn about our commitment to safeguarding, please visit www.PlanUSA.org.
- Statements
STATEMENT: Conflict and hunger in Sudan: an NGO call to action
April 10, 2024
The conflict in Sudan has already created the worldās largest displacement crisis. Now fighting, displacement and lack of humanitarian access to the most vulnerable population places millions at risk of sliding into emergency levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition.
As humanitarian organizations working in Sudan, we are making a call to action about the increasing levels of conflict, organized violence, sexual violence and growing evidence of conflict-induced hunger faced by the people of Sudan. Strong, evidence-based diplomatic action is needed to protect civilians and demand unhindered humanitarian access through all available entry points. We call for the respect of International Humanitarian Law and compliance with the demands of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2417 and 2573 which condemn conflict-induced food insecurity and the destruction of objects indispensable to civilian life.
Since hostilities broke out on the 15th of April 2023, the people of Sudan have been caught in a conflict of major proportions. This has deeply exacerbated the pre-existing hunger and child malnutrition crisis and displaced 8.5 million people. Today, over 25 million people across Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad are trapped in a spiral of deteriorating food security, violence and displacement. The IPC reports warned that hunger has reached the highest level ever recorded during the harvest season ā a time that is usually the most food secure period of the year.
High levels of acute food insecurity
The estimated population facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) increased from 15 million to 17.7 million people (37 percent of the population), an increase of 18 per cent compared to the previous projection. The IPC analysis released in December 2023 projected 4.9 million people (10 percent of the population) to be in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). Sudanese arrivals risk facing catastrophic conditions in Chad and South Sudan, as they put extra pressure on already overstretched resources and limited funding. Time is running out to prevent a rapid deterioration in the conflict-induced food insecurity crisis. The international community and conflict parties must take immediate action to alleviate hunger and prevent a catastrophic malnutrition emergency.
Humanitarian agenciesā ability to reach people in need is deteriorating due to the heightened violence and interference by warring parties. The prevention of sufficient food aid from reaching the population and targeting food production and distribution infrastructure and means for food transportation are a direct violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2417. This resolution was unanimously approved in 2018 to condemn the use of hunger and starvation as a weapon of war.
The people bearing the brunt of the conflict are those who are most likely to have exhausted their means and strategies to avoid harm, such as women, children, older adults, and people with disabilities. Roughly 2.9million children are already acutely malnourished and 729,000 children under five are suffering from severe acute malnutrition ā the most dangerous and deadly form of extreme hunger. Children are already dying of malnutrition and according to the Sudan Nutrition Cluster, about 222,000 severely malnourished children and more than 7,000 new mothers are likely to die in the coming months if their nutritional and health needs remain unmet.
The growing hunger crisis has strong gendered impacts, with women and girls, facing increased risk of gender-based violence, including sexual violence. Already before the conflict, social norms dictated that women have little control over resources and that women and girls eat last and least in their households, leading to 79% of women not meeting their daily minimum dietary requirements. Today, women and adolescent girls must continually choose between starvation and safety as they face violence or harassment when attempting to access markets, fields, livelihood opportunities, humanitarian distribution sites, or other zones. There are also reports of women and girls being forced to resort to survival sex to access food, and of increased early and forced marriage.
Extensive damage and disruption to essential infrastructure and services
The escalation of hostilities has caused extensive damage and disruption to essential infrastructure and services, including that necessary for food production, processing and distribution and water and healthcare facilities. Across the country, multiple food production factories and markets have been burned and destroyed and food aid has been looted on a large scale. While local markets continue to function in many areas of the country, the loss of purchasing power caused by the conflict is putting them at risk of collapsing. Equally worryingly, there have been at least 284 reported attacks on health care since 15 April 2023āincluding the killing of 61 health workers and the damage of health facilities on 62 occasions. The attacks undermine civiliansā, especially women and childrenās, access to essential services including nutrition and health.
On the 15th of March 2024, the UN Secretary General triggered Resolution 2417 by submitting a White Note to the Security Council on the hunger emergency in Sudan, which subsequently met to discuss the emergency. This is an important first step, which needs to be followed up by concrete action by the parties to the conflict and by UN member states and the international community to ensure conflict parties abide by their obligations.
To protect civilians and prevent catastrophic hunger:
ā We urge all parties to the conflict to take immediate measures to prevent the escalation of the hunger crisis in Sudan. This includes not targeting, looting or incidentally damaging sites or infrastructure vital to food systems such as markets, land used for agriculture or livestock, or food storage facilities like siloes or warehouses.
ā We call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to abide by their promises set out in the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, and to ensure their dissemination and adherence along the different chains of command to the local level. Vitally for reducing food insecurity, these commitments include agreements to allow civilians safe, regular, and principled access to humanitarian assistance, including cross-border access, and to protect humanitarian personnel and assets. It is also imperative that all parties to the conflict take steps to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict, to ensure a sustained cessation of hostilities in the short term, and to address the underlying causes of conflict.
ā We call on the international community to urgently increase funding for the humanitarian response in Sudan and to consider the comprehensive impact of the hunger crisis. Wherever possible, existing food systems and local markets must be supported to keep functioning, especially through cash-based programming. Financial support for the humanitarian response must also be designed to consider the extensive ramifications of the hunger crisis which requires a multisectoral response. Adequate funding for food security, nutrition, WASH, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, and protection clusters (including child protection and GBV prevention and response) is essential to mitigate the escalating impacts of rising food insecurity in the short and long term, and must reach national and local organisations, including womenās organisations and mutual aid networks.
ā We also urge the international community and all conflict parties including the Sudanese authorities to ease undue bureaucratic or administrative impediments to humanitarian assistance. Funding must be accompanied by unfettered access to the most vulnerable population, to ensure a response scale-up driven by the humanitarian needs. International actors must also ensure that humanitarian exemptions are guaranteed on any potential sanctions.
ā We call on the Security Council to hold regular, open briefings to monitor the implementation of the provisions in UN Security Council Resolution 2724, and the recommendations to address food insecurity put forward by the UN Secretary Generalās Resolution 2417-related White Note on Sudan.
ā We call on the Security Council to uphold its commitments under the Women Peace and Security Agenda to take action to prevent conflict-related sexual violence that is widespread across Sudan. Multiple UNSC resolutions (1820, 1888, 1960 and 2467) condemn sexual violence against women and children in armed conflict and urge Member States to adopt a survivor-centred approach to its prevention and response, whilst also strengthening access to justice for victims, including through the prompt investigation, prosecution and punishment of perpetrators.
ā We also recall that, before the ongoing crisis, Sudan faced a dire humanitarian situation affecting 30% of the population. We are now alarmed by the fact that the ongoing violence may continue to exacerbate the rapid and dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation. The rainy season, due to start in June, risks further limiting access to remote areas. We urge the international community to anticipate these needs, promote collective action and swiftly mobilise the necessary resources to save lives and protect affected communities.
Signatories
1. Action Against Hunger
2. ADRA
3. Alight
4. ALIMA
5. CAFOD
6. CARE
7. Concern Worldwide
8. Coopi
9. Humanity for Development and Prosperity Organization
10. Insecurity Insight
11. International Rescue Committee
12. LM International
13. MedGlobal
14. Medical Teams International
15. Mercy Corps
16. Nonviolent Peaceforce
17. Norwegian Church Aid
18. Norwegian Refugee Council
19. Plan International
20. Premiere Urgence Internationale
21. Save the Children
22. SolidaritƩs INTERNATIONAL
23. Triangle gƩnƩration humanitaire
24. Welthungerhilfe
25. Word Vision
26. ZOA
* Plan International is not responsible for the content of other sites.
ENDS
About Plan International USA Powered by supporters, Plan International USA partners with girls and their communities around the world to overcome oppression and gender inequality. We provide 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. For more information, and to learn about our commitment to safeguarding, please visit www.planusa.org.
- Blog
Child sponsorship is a popular way that a lot of charities fund their work. When youāre corresponding directly with a child whose life youāre impacting, itās easy to understand how your gift is making a difference. But critics point out that this relationship can set up an unequal dynamic between ādonorā and ābeneficiaryā countries. So, does sponsorship do more harm than good?
Sponsorship at Plan
Plan USA has been operating child sponsorship programming for more than 85 years, starting with our founders: John Langdon-Davies, a British war journalist, and Eric Muggeridge, a refugee worker. During the Spanish Civil War, John and Eric began evacuating children to safe houses to protect them from violence. Many of these children were orphans. In order to fund this work, John and Eric started recruiting āsponsorsā to support the children, eventually launching Foster Parentsā Plan for Spanish War Children in 1937. Read: A glimpse into Planās history: 1949 Impact Report That organization evolved into todayās Plan International, a network of more than 80 countries fighting for girlsā rights and gender equality. In 2022, donors sponsored more than 1.2 million children around the world.
Benefits of sponsorship
For Plan, sponsorship programming absolutely works as a way to fight global poverty and gender inequality. Sponsorsā monthly gifts provide a reliable, flexible source of funding for a wide range of programs led by local leaders designed to improve their communities. In fact, findings from a 2019 study show that Planās sponsorship programming is positively linked with key development outcomes. According to this research, sponsored children are more likely to attend school, have access to clean water and experience psychosocial well-being. But the benefits also extend beyond the sponsored child. For every year that Plan runs sponsorship programs in a community, school attendance in that community increases. Similarly, children are more likely to have access to improved water and sanitation in communities where Plan has worked for longer. Sponsorship benefits child sponsors, too. The model offers a tangible way for donors to understand their impact. In addition to knowing that sponsored children are more likely to go to school, you can also hear from your sponsored child about their school and what theyāre learning. Youāre getting a firsthand report on your impact. Read: Donāt write it off just yet: The lost art of letter writing This relationship also encourages people to go beyond their comfort zones to understand other cultures. While you might celebrate Easter, your sponsored child might celebrate Ramadan. You might ask about the different types of food that your sponsored familyās child grows and eats for dinner, and get to share with them what you like to eat. Or, you might practice how to say a few words in your sponsored childās language. Itās a way to learn more about the world. Ā
Common criticisms of sponsorship
Over our 85+ years of implementing sponsorship programming, weāve heard a lot of different criticisms of the model. At Plan, we don’t shy away from those criticisms, and we continually evaluate and seek to improve our sponsorship program so that it makes the most positive impact possible on children and their communities. Here are a few common critiques, and how weāve responded.
1. Sponsorship programs donāt encourage families to transition out of poverty.
This is a version of an even more common criticism of any kind of aid program: If you keep giving a man a fish, what motivation does he have to learn how to fish himself? Itās a valid concern ā and, itās why we carefully craft all Plan programs with an end in mind. We donāt want to be around forever. In fact, weāre constantly trying to work ourselves out of a job. Weāre working to create a world where weāre not needed. And, we know that the only way to create that world is to share what we know. Some of our proudest days are the ones when we leave a community. Recently, we made the decision to shut down sponsorship programming in Thailand after more than 40 years ā not because the program was a failure, but because it was a success. Read: Time to say goodbye in Thailand. Over the past several decades, Thailand has made enormous strides: Stable economic growth has helped to reduce poverty levels from over 65% in the 1980s to below 10% in 2018; 95% of children now complete primary school; over 98% of the population has access to safe drinking water; the health system has improved; and legal frameworks have been created and implemented for the protection of children and young people. Thatās not to say there isnāt more work to be done. In fact, we still work in Thailand on other projects, such as supporting girls and families migrating from Cambodia and Myanmar, and helping people access their rights through citizenship. But we made the decision to end our sponsorship program because weāre confident that the work in those communities can ā and will ā continue on without us.
2. Letters exchanged between sponsors and sponsored children can be culturally inappropriate.
Child protection is always our first concern, and this is absolutely a risk that exists in sponsorship. Thatās why we are proud to have some of the most thorough review processes among our peer organizations when it comes to monitoring correspondence between children and sponsors. Every letter goes through multiple reviews by Plan staff members, and when we find something that might make the recipient feel uncomfortable, we make sure to communicate with the sender to get a revised version. We believe that these conversations are a critical part of Planās role in facilitating cross-cultural understanding and learning.
3. The child sponsorship relationship is paternalistic and perpetuates inequality.
This criticism gets to the core of ethical international development, and itās why weāre passionate about decolonizing aid. By definition, philanthropy and charitable giving are relationships of inequality, at least financially. When this happens on a large scale, it begins to resemble the colonial systems of the past that many former colonies are still trying to recover from today.
Plan is an organization dedicated to achieving gender equality ā we canāt deconstruct inequality if weāre still perpetuating it ourselves.
Read: Girls lead the way with GirlEngage Thatās why we are so dedicated to sharing power through our GirlEngage approach. We approach every project with the knowledge that we donāt have all of the answers. In fact, if we want girls to understand their power, itās not enough to simply tell them that they have power. We need to show them they are powerful, and that their opinions matter to us, by sharing our power with them as we design and implement projects. Sponsorsā ongoing support is what provided Plan with the stability and flexibility needed to develop this approach ā and sponsors continue to support this kind of innovative programming.
That being said, sponsorship is not the only way you can support Planās girl-led work. As a We Are the Girls Activist with Plan, you can give and then see how your support is making a difference by following along with the progress of a featured project. If youāre interested in supporting girlsā rights and gender equality, but donāt like the one-on-one approach of sponsorship, this might be the right option for you. No matter which option you choose, your support for Plan will fund projects designed alongside girls and their communities to address their most pressing challenges. And, youāll be advancing programming that is community driven ā so that, together, we can make equality a reality.
- Blog
Crouched in a row of pepper plants peeking from the soil, a 24-year-old farmer named Olivia is cutting weeds with a small knife.Ā Ā Ā
Ā āWhen I think about how small a seed is, how itās put into the soil, how it germinates then turns out to be food for so many people, helping to reduce malnutrition and saving people from hunger ā it amazes me,ā Olivia says. Ā
Like many other countries across Africa ā and the rest of the world ā Ghana is grappling with soaring food, fuel and fertilizer prices, all compounded by the Ukraine crisis. Drought is making it even more difficult for girls and their families to access food, creating the worst hunger crisis seen in years. Traditional agricultural practices arenāt enough to protect crops anymore.Ā Ā
Read: What the war in Ukraine means for AfricaĀ Ā
Thatās why a new generation of entrepreneurial women farmers in Ghana is using green skills to shake up farming, producing nutritious food and creating sustainable livelihoods for their communities. After working with Plan, these young women like Olivia now have the skills to strengthen their countryās food systems, fight hunger and adapt to climate change.Ā Ā
As a teenager, Olivia noticed that despite the prevalence of agriculture, malnutrition levels in her community were high. She says people were prone to eating one particular meal all the time.Ā Ā
ā[The meal] was usually made from maize, without variety, and it led to high levels of malnutrition,ā Olivia says.Ā Ā Ā
Olivia learned about food and nutrition in high school, and went on to study biochemistry at university. Then, she attended a green skills training, led by Plan, which she says confirmed her interest in environmentally friendly farming techniques.Ā Ā
During the Plan training, Olivia learned about how to farm sustainably, with practices like mulching, compost-making and using natural fertilizers. She also acquired business skills, like building savings and planning out marketing.Ā Ā
Now, Olivia sells her cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, cabbages and chili peppers to her community ā and even to restaurants in Ghanaās capital city, Accra.Ā
āThe training from Plan International changed my life,ā Olivia says. āAs a farmer, I realized I could brand my products, and that would help me reach out to more customers. Plan provided me with a bicycle so I could reach the farm and safely transport my products to my customers. They also helped me build a fence to prevent animals [from] invading my crops.āĀ
āPlan Internationalās Green Skills program was designed to address youth unemployment,ā Plan International Ghanaās Youth Engagement Facilitator, Abigail, explains. āIt has a special focus on farming in a way that protects the environment. So, the projects equipped young people, especially women, with employable skills and alternative, unique methods in farming that are environmentally friendly.āĀ Ā
Green skills training from Plan has come at a key time for young farmers like Doris, who says she loses sleep over the climate crisis.Ā
āWhat weāre experiencing in Ghana right now is not good, itās very worrying,ā Doris says. āAs a young female in agriculture, itās hard to explain the negative effects of climate change on us as farmers.āĀ
This year during COP27 in Cairo, the U.N. climate change conference, Plan International advocated on behalf of young people like Doris, sayingĀ they need tools to participate in emerging and changing sectors of the workplace. In particular, the green economy represents a ripe opportunity for young people to both gain employment and drive the transformational changes required to tackle the climate crisis. Plan also called for increased training and education on green skills and climate change, as well as increased opportunities in the green economy, and urged governments to take action.Ā
āClimate change is severely affecting us,ā Olivia says. āYou canāt even predict the rain pattern, and currently it hasnāt been raining. By this point in the year, weāre supposed to have finished uprooting crops, but because we donāt have rain, weāre not always able to do that.āĀ
Now, with Planās support, young farmers are learning how to cope.Ā Ā
Ā āOur Green Skills course equips participants with the skills to overcome the challenges of unpredictable weather patterns and farm all year round, by adjusting to the weather changes and planting crops to get maximum yield,ā Abigail says.Ā Ā
Christiana, who grew up helping her father on his farm, benefited from Planās green skills training at a time when her farm was failing. Thanks to Plan, she was able to buy a pumpkin blender and a seed oil extractor.Ā
āI was almost collapsing when Plan came in,ā Christiana says. āThey gave me much-needed support.āĀ
Ā Now, Christiana is planting seeds of hope for others āāÆshe supplies local communities with food, hires other young women to work on her farm and helps coach her community members to set up businesses of their own.Ā Ā
Ā As the saying goes, āa forest starts with one tree.ā One small action can build a better world for girls, young women and entire communities. Will you join Christiana and create a ripple effect of positive change by donating a Gift of Hope?Ā Ā
- Blog
What does mental health mean to you?
Riya, 15: To me, mental health means keeping my mind healthy, free of stress and being emotionally stable to take on the challenges of life. Garrett, 20: As a gay male growing up in the deep south, I frequently feel very isolated. My mental health journey has been very lonely, and this did not change until going to college. This makes sense, sociologically, as stigma plays a major role in identity, especially at young ages. But I am a White male who is able to “pass” (portray oneself as a member of a social group other than the one they belong to) as straight. I was also able to afford mental health treatment and I had a great support system. So, for all intents and purposes, I was guaranteed to be okay in the end. My identity fits (almost) perfectly with those who maintain power. But most members of marginalized communities do not have this experience. Black people, women, and especially Black women, cannot typically mask their skin color or gender, which carry so much stigma. This makes them vulnerable to both systemic and societal racism and misogyny, worsening their mental health and stripping them of equal opportunity. Mental health has a lot to do with eliminating these stigmas and fighting for social justice and equality in society. An individual’s mental health has a lot to do with their place in society and the identities and roles that society places on them.We are thought by many, especially older generations, as being "dramatic" or "weak." In reality, we face unique challenges that older generations did not face. ā Garrett, 20
Do you think mental health is a problem at your school? Why/why not?
Riya: Mental health is an issue at every school. Everyone that isnāt or hasnāt experienced the current generation of high school does not understand the extensive social, academic and familial pressures that are placed upon us and that we place upon ourselves. Most high schoolers are working hard 24/7 trying to achieve their dreams of getting into their perfect college (because thatās all anything seems to be about these days) while balancing a respectable social life. Lots of people say āOh youāre young, just enjoy yourself,ā not realizing that itās because weāre stuck in that older-but-still-youngish phase of life that weāre not able to enjoy ourselves, thus leading to mental health problems and even depression. Garrett: Mental health is a problem at my school because it is a problem everywhere. In fact, many youth that suffer with mental health are neglected, and others are abused or bullied because of their struggles. In addition to physical markers like skin color or gender, stigma is also attached to mental health, and youth are especially vulnerable here. We are thought by many, especially older generations, as being ādramaticā or āweak.ā In reality, we face unique challenges that older generations did not face. These challenges are concurrent with issues of environmental justice, growing up in an inflated economy dominated by the 1% and the politicization of identity (gender and sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, skin color and more). A sense of anomie, a disconnect from society, from being unable to achieve institutionalized goals, is rampant among marginalized communities. This leads to a myriad of mental health issues, especially suicide.What Iāve noticed is that people will ask girls if theyāre okay and once they get that standard response of "Iām fine," theyāll stop trying. Donāt stop trying. ā Riya, 15
Do you think that girls experience unique mental health challenges? Why/why not?
Riya: Yes, I do think that girls experience unique mental health challenges because I feel like thereās more expectation for girls to look or act or do things a certain way, whether it’s the way they act, dress, etc. A guy could show up to school in sweats and a hoodie and it would be considered ācool,ā but a girl could do the same thing and it would seem like she isnāt trying hard enough. Girls also tend to put more pressure (i.e., academically) on themselves because of those expectations (this I know from firsthand experience). These seem like totally minor things, but they do have a significant amount of influence on the way that we see ourselves and the people we interact with. Girls also have an extra physical and mental obstacle to overcome: their menstrual cycle. Itās been scientifically proven that girls and boys have differences in hormone fluctuations and brain chemistry which could also affect their levels of anxiety. I donāt think that itās strictly physical or psychological differences that affect girlsā mental health challenges, but I do think that a combination of both results in more mental deterrents for girls over boys. Garrett: Girls absolutely experience unique mental health challenges. From oversexualization to being legal property of their husbands, women have been historically oppressed (and still are). There are many long-term effects of this oppression. Even in clinical trials, girls have historically been excluded from participation. This means that a majority of modern medicine has been tested primarily on men and does not take into account the biological differences between men and women, such as metabolism. Because of this, women are 50-75% more likely to experience adverse drug reactions, putting them at greater risk when taking medication for mental health treatment.What do you wish more people knew about the state of girls’ mental health in the U.S.?
Riya: I wish that more people knew that when girls say theyāre fine, weāre almost never fine. If you can sense something off about a girl you know, your instincts are probably right. This does not mean pressuring her until she talks (that could simply lead to further mental retraction), it simply means that you need to be aware that she is not okay at that moment and be prepared if she decides to talk about it. Until then, treat her kindly. What Iāve noticed is that people will ask girls if theyāre okay and once they get that standard response of āIām fine,ā theyāll stop trying. Donāt stop trying. We may not express it very well, and we may come across as moody, but giving up on us will only heighten the mental issues weāre facing. Garrett: The current state of girls’ mental health is a result of historic oppression. People (especially White men) see women and girls in the workforce or at the polls and seem to forget how they got here. Women’s place in society today was fought for, and women are still fighting. Progress has been made, but the fight for gender equality is not over. I wish that more people understood that. It is infuriating that we have the social science proving the inequalities between men and women, yet local and world leaders refuse to acknowledge it. As a White man myself, I have an incalculable amount of privilege and I can see the inequalities between myself and my female colleagues every day. We must continue elevating girls and women to an equal place in society so that girls can make these policies and advancements for gender equality themselves. As long as governments and bureaucracies are dominated by White men who simply do not care about equality for women, nothing will change. We have to elect more women into office and leadership positions, and we have to educate and empower girls across the world to do this. And ā I cannot stress this enough ā we have to ensure intersectional feminism in our practices to empower Black women and girls, who face even more unique challenges than their White female colleagues and classmates. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health-related distress, help is available. The National Alliance on Mental Illness runs a hotline you can text at 62640 or call at 800.950.6264. You can also call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.- Blog
Education is free in Ecuador.
But access to a quality education ā or any education at all ā is far from equal.
In rural areas, educational opportunities are extremely limited. Itās not unusual for children to walk miles each way to school, traveling down mountains and over rough terrain. Chronic challenges like poverty force young people to drop out of school and find work in order to help support their families. And girls face unique barriers. They are more likely to drop out due to marriage, pregnancy or gendered social norms, which prioritize boysā education.
A third of girls in Ecuador donāt even start high school, let alone graduate. And girls in remote Indigenous communities, where traditional gender roles are often enforced, are even less likely to continue with their education.
A girl may have to drop out because of the distance, or because the journey to school isnāt safe. Her family may not be able to afford the additional expenses, like uniforms or school supplies. She may be driven away by abuse and discrimination from teachers or peers. Or she may be forced to abandon her education simply because she is a girl.
Today, youāll meet three Indigenous young women in Ecuador who faced these exact challenges and found the courage to defy the status quo, with support from strong women in their lives, encouragement from child sponsorship and unwavering confidence in their own potential. Ā
Ā
Estefania, 26
Estefania doesnāt take her education for granted, because it was almost taken from her ā not once, but twice.
The first time was when she was 12 and had just finished primary school. Her father decided there was no need for his daughter to go on to high school. Why? Because she was a girl, and her place was at home.
For many girls, that would have been the end of the story. They would have no choice but to obey their fatherās orders. But, fortunately, Estefania had a strong mother who recognized the value of her daughterās education. She stood up to her husband and insisted that Estefania stay in school.
With her motherās support, Estefania graduated from high school. She was proud to reach this milestone, but thought that was the end of the road for her.
“I didn’t see the possibility of studying at university because I needed to dedicate myself to working in order to provide for my family,ā Estefania explains.
Then, one day, Estefania was talking to a Plan community volunteer. A sponsored child for many years, Estefania was very familiar with Planās work. Even as an adult, she can still recall the happiness she felt every time she received a letter or a gift from her sponsor. So, when the volunteer told her about a university scholarship project run by Plan, Estefania jumped at the chance. She applied and was one of 35 young people to be awarded a scholarship.
āOne of the biggest expenses I was able to pay for with my scholarship money was the transport fares to travel from my community to the city where the university was located,ā Estefania says. āDistance is one of the barriers that prevent many people from studying.ā
In addition to monthly financial support for five years, Estefania also received technical support and participated in training sessions to develop life skills in leadership, communication, self-esteem and resilience.
āI always had the support of the Plan International project team, which was so valuable to me,ā Estefania says.
In 2020, at the age of 24, Estefania graduated with a degree in accounting and auditing. She now works as an administrative manager for a well-known laboratory camera company.
āI feel very proud to be able to prove to myself, my family and community that as a woman from a rural community, I was able to achieve one of my biggest dreams. I now contribute financially to my family, which means my younger siblings can also stay in school. My next goal is to study for a master’s degree in human resources.ā
Ā
Evelyn, 19
Evelyn grew up in a traditional Quechua community, where she lived with her parents and four younger brothers.
Believed to be the largest Indigenous group in the world, the estimated Quechua population in South America is over 10 million, but the actual number may be much higher. Although they are considered part of the same large group, there are at least 15 Quechua sub-groups in Ecuador. The Quechua have a unique tradition of making textiles and handicrafts, and most rely on agriculture for their livelihood. In the Ecuadorian highlands, traditional clothing such as ponchos, shawls, woven belts, bowler hats and pleated skirts are still worn on a daily basis.
Both Spanish and Quechua are spoken in most Ecuadorian primary schools where there is a large Indigenous population. However, in high school, the majority of lessons are taught in Spanish. This can make it hard for Indigenous students to keep up with their classmates, and some may drop out of school as they start falling behind. The language barrier can also make them feel isolated and even ostracized by their peers.
āI come from a humble family, full of affection and love, courage and a lot of respect,ā Evelyn says.
Evelyn had a happy childhood, and she was proud of the traditional clothing, language and customs that shaped her into the young woman she is today. It wasnāt until high school that she and her brothers first experienced discrimination based on their ethnicity. The bullying didnāt come from their peers, but rather from a new teacher at their school.
āA teacher started teaching at my school,ā Evelyn recalls. āWe received mistreatment, discrimination, bullying insults ā¦ I suffered a lot.ā
Even though she came from a loving home, Evelyn was afraid to tell her mother what was happening at school. But, eventually, the teacherās abuse was too much to endure and she had to say something. Fortunately, when Evelynās mother found out how her children had been mistreated, she didnāt hesitate to come to their defense. She made sure the situation with the teacher was handled immediately, and that her children didnāt have to sacrifice their education to escape the abuse.
As a sponsored child, Evelyn participated in Plan workshops in her community that helped to improve her self-esteem and reinforced the value of education. She understood that education was the key to unlocking the future she deserved, and with her motherās support, she refused to let this bullying stand in her way.
āI am aware that to achieve my dreams, I have to prepare, work hard and study,ā Evelyn says.
Evelynās involvement with Plan didnāt end when she graduated from our sponsorship program ā she now works with us as a community volunteer.
āPlan International helped me to become an agent of change and I now help other children and young people to value their identity,ā Evelyn says. āI want to continue influencing and promoting a change in peopleās attitudes towards gender equality.ā
Ā
Mirella, 16
Mirella lives in a remote village in the Andes with her mother and sisters. Her father left when the girls were young, and her mother raised her three daughters on her own.
Each morning, Mirella and her mom get up at 4 a.m. to feed their animals. They make traditional handicrafts to sell as an additional source of income.
Life in the highlands is beautiful, but isolated, making it difficult to get to school. Still, Mirellaās mother is supportive of her education, and a scholarship from Plan has helped them to buy school supplies, uniforms and shoes.
[Read more: Photo story: Portraits from the Andes]
āIt was very motivating for me to receive this kind of assistance because I am aware that education is very important for my life and future,ā Mirella says.
āEvery day we get up at four o’clock in the morning to start making crafts and feed our animals,ā Mirella says. āThat way, things are ready by half past six, which is usually the time we go to school.ā
As a sponsored child, Mirella also participates in Plan workshops in her community, where she has learned about her rights and developed leadership skills.
āThis space has given me the tools to express myself without fear, to give my opinions and have them considered,ā she says.
Itās also given her the confidence to dream big. āI am sure that I will finish high school, and my dream is to go on to study at university, to become a doctor and save other people’s lives,ā Mirella says.
Every day, young women like Estefania, Evelyn and Mirella are beating the odds and fighting for the futures they deserve. Their perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity is inspiring, and you can help them reach their goals. When you sponsor a girl, you can encourage her to unlock her full potential, and help communities recognize the value of education for all children.
