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Insights
March 11, 2021

It’s time to talk: Menstrual health in the U.S.

Despite increasing attention and advocacy, menstruation remains a taboo topic in the U.S., often surrounded by embarrassment and shame. According to a new report by Plan International USA, P&G and Always on period stigma and poverty in the U.S., much work remains to be done to make sure periods don’t get in the way of people reaching their full potential.

The key findings reveal that periods are often associated with negative feelings as more than half of girls report losing confidence at puberty and 47% feel scared when they get their first period. We also learned that a greater percentage of the population feel more comfortable discussing sex, politics, family problems and STDs than periods, so it isn’t completely surprising that periods are often met with such negativity and taboo.

Period stigma

Since so few Americans talk about period health and sexual and reproductive health education is inconsistent, periods remain shrouded in secrecy. That secrecy results in one in four young people not knowing why some people get periods and how to manage them, which leads to an environment where period teasing and shame can thrive. More than a third of young people have experienced jokes and negative remarks about periods.

In addition, period stigma is one part of the interconnected web of gender-based issues. This stigma is somewhat connected to how society perceives women and girls, which in turn affects how they perceive themselves. Unfortunately, the less likely people are to talk about periods, the less likely they are to see girls as risk-seeking and ambitious which continues to reinforce gender stereotypes. People are ten times more likely to describe girls as emotional and three times more as shy versus boys.

Period poverty

Compared to other countries, the U.S. scored remarkedly low on support for talking openly about periods, and on support for sexuality and relationship education. When a normal bodily function of 50% of the population is not understood and talked about, it means issues stemming from that topic go unnoticed and unaddressed.

Period poverty, the inability to buy or access period products, is surprisingly high in the U.S., and this has been aggravated by COVID-19. In 2020, nearly 1 in 5 women struggled to get period products and 25% of adults, particularly parents, are worried about their on-going ability to afford period products.

Pre-pandemic, nearly 1 in 5 girls were missing school because they couldn’t access products. Not having the period protection you need to concentrate in classes can result in negative outcomes including lower academic performance, feeling less confident and ashamed, and missing extracurricular activities and sports.

What to do?

Talk about periods! 85% of young women agree that if they saw others talking openly about periods, they would feel more confident about their own.
Involve men and boys. Periods are a normal part of life, and men and boys should understand that and learn how they can be supportive.
Require quality school-based puberty education for all genders, regardless of where you live.
Remove the tax from periods products. Many states label period products as a luxury good. A normal and healthy part of life is not a luxury.
Require that schools, homeless shelters, prisons and immigration centers provide free period products.

Always and Plan International USA have joined-up for a campaign on normalizing conversations and actions around periods. We encourage you to join the conversation and share your period story. For every story shared from March 8 through May 28, Always will donate a pack of period products to those in need across the U.S.

The more we talk about periods being a normal part of life, the less stigma will exist, and we will be more able to address period-related challenges, like period poverty and endometritis. Let’s work towards a world where people can manage their periods safely and with dignity.

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.

Report & Resource
March 1, 2021

Effects of forced labor and trafficking in persons on female relatives of male fishers

The study, “Effects of Forced Labor and Trafficking in Persons on Female Relatives of Male Fishers,” is part of Plan International USA’s Safeguarding Against and Addressing Fishers’ Exploitation at Sea (SAFE Seas) project.

The objectives of this study can be summarized as follows: (i) to assess women’s awareness and knowledge of forced labor and trafficking in persons (FL/TIP) on fishing vessels; (ii) to explore women’s experiences and coping strategies to deal with the impact of FL/TIP; (iii) to assess gender norms and gender relationships in the fishing community; and (iv) to identify potential future roles for women and how women’s agency can contribute to prevention and protection against FL/TIP.

Insights
February 23, 2021

Youth voices roadmap to guide funders in meaningfully engaging youth in youth employment programs

Commissioned by:

In collaboration with:

First-of-its-kind report aims to inform and strengthen the engagement of youth in funders’ and implementers’ investments, strategies and programs around the world.

New York, NY — As part of our global commitment to ensuring and protecting youth rights, Plan International is pleased to launch a new report exploring the meaningful engagement of young people in youth employment strategies and programs. Conceptualized by the Youth Employment Funders Group (YEFG) and commissioned by the Citi Foundation, this report establishes a first-of-its-kind roadmap in the youth employment sector on how to actionably and meaningfully place youth at the center of youth engagement strategies and programs.

The report, “Youth voices in youth employment: a roadmap for promoting meaningful youth engagement in youth employment programs” outlines the steps that funders and implementers can take along the various phases of a youth employment program to strengthen youth engagement and amplify youth voices, regardless of where they are in their youth engagement journey. Together, these elements help to bridge the knowledge gap that exists in the youth employment sector around what meaningful engagement means and how to engage youth in employment programs that impact them.

The report stipulates that meaningful youth engagement is achieved when under enabling conditions, youth representatives actively participate throughout the program life cycle and enter into youth-adult partnerships that empower youth and may contribute to positive and long-lasting market outcomes. Using this definition, alongside a set of key pillars and the roadmap, funders will be able to set goals and assess how to strengthen the engagement of youth in their programs, making use of step-by-step guidance and finding inspiration in the case studies and quotes provided by youth and practitioners on the potential impact of meaningful youth engagement.

“For funders who understand that meaningful youth engagement leads to better youth employment program outcomes, this roadmap gives stakeholders the common language and clarity on meaningful youth engagement throughout the program lifecycle,” said Alexandra Robinson, a member of the Youth Advisory Panel representing AIESEC International. The Youth Advisory Panel is a diverse group of youth members from around the globe, who informed and supported the development of the report. This Panel, alongside youth focus groups discussions and a global youth survey, played a central role in ensuring that youth informed the development of the roadmap.

“This user-centered approach will provide good practices to actionably strengthen the role of youth in programs that ultimately affect their lives,” said Youth Advisory Panel member Jihane Lahbabi-Berrada, representing Education for Employment – Morocco.

As a global girls’ rights organization, Plan International recognizes that meaningful engagement of young people is particularly important to those from vulnerable and marginalized groups, especially young women, young people with disabilities and ethnic minorities, who often struggle to have their voices heard in various participatory spaces.

“Strengthening the practice of meaningful youth engagement in youth employment programs is more important than ever. The gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated youth unemployment, profoundly impacting youth around the world,” said Tessie San Martin, CEO, Plan International USA. “When youth are meaningfully engaged, in ways outlined by this roadmap, the positive impacts can have ripple effects on young people and labor markets.”

“We hope that the guidance shared in this roadmap helps funders and stakeholders engage youth more intentionally and meaningfully in the programs that impact them,” said Dorothy Stuehmke, Senior Program Officer, Citi Foundation. “By listening to and elevating their voices, we are helping to strengthen the youth employment field and create a more resilient future for young people entering the workforce.”

For more information and to download the report, please visit: www.planusa.org/youthvoices

About Plan International

Founded in 1937, Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls in more than 80 countries. Powered by supporters, Plan International 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.

About Citi Foundation

The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities. The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach deploys the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation.

About Youth Employment Funders Group

The Youth Employment Funders Group (YEFG) is a network of over twenty multilateral organizations and international donors, including private foundations, working together to generate and share more and better evidence-based knowledge on what works in the field of youth employment.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Robin Costello
[email protected]

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.