Plan International Canada

🌟 FATHERS LEADING CHANGE IN SENEGAL 🌟 On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Feb 6, we’re highlighting a remarkable story out of Senegal where fathers are leading the fight against FGM. “Many said I didn’t know what I was talking about,” explains Bamba, who joined Plan’s Fathers’ School five years ago. “They asked if I was normal, saying there was nothing wrong with cutting a girl. But I never gave up, even when they said I didn’t know what I was talking about. Even when they said hurtful things, I endured it. I used examples, like when a woman had childbirth complications, to highlight the consequences of FGM – blood loss and other issues – and explained it was due to FGM.” 💝 A DAUGHTER’S PRIDE “My dad was the one who told me not to accept FGM,” confirms Fatou, Bamba’s 16-year-old daughter. “If I ever see or hear of a girl in my community being cut, I'll tell him, so we can file a complaint against the person and report them.” The 311 members of the Fathers’ School have reached more than 20,000 people in southeastern Senegal. They prove that ending FGM requires engaging everyone – especially men – in conversations about harmful traditions and girls’ right to health and safety. 🌍 COMMUNITY IMPACT Bamba and Fatou live in a region of Senegal where the prevalence of FGM is as high as 73% in women ages 15-49. How have these dads made a difference? Read the inspiring story of their community’s transformation to find out here: https://bit.ly/3CtSABB #EndFGM #ZeroToleranceDay #GenderEquality #Senegal 📸: Sylvain Cherkaoui Plan International Sénégal

This International Development Week, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible need and impact of organizations championing women's and girls' rights. To learn more, dive into our 2024 Annual Report to discover how we're making a difference through our humanitarian response and protection programs. 🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/4hKpih3 #InternationalDevelopmentWeek #IDW #WomensRights #GirlsEmpowerment #EndViolence

💡 Did you know that Black History Month in Canada started because one determined woman wouldn't take no for an answer? In 1995, Jean Augustine made history not just as Canada's first Black woman MP, but by championing Black History Month to celebrate the amazing contributions of Black Canadians. That's the kind of determination we see in our work every day. Today we celebrate dreamers and changemakers of all ages who are building a more equal world. One of those changemakers is Zénabou. Like Dr. Augustine she’s determined to go after her dreams of being a lawyer so she can champion rights for children and women Despite conflict keeping over a million children out of school in her country, Zénabou, 14, refuses to let her dream fade. Through her determination and her participation in one of Plan’s special programs to bring girls back into class, she’s continuing her education – and inspiring others. “Girls and boys, we are all equal,” declares Zénabou. Together with our supporters, we're building a world where every child like Zénabou gets a fair shot at their dreams. Want to be part of the change? Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/42EVdLe

“I want the war to stop so I can go back home,” says 10-year-old Adan, a girl struggling to survive the devastating crisis that’s happening in Sudan. Did you know about it? You may not have. Global attention has been focused on other crises, like the ones in Gaza and Ukraine. Meanwhile, a civil war has raged between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces for nearly two years. More than 8.6 million people, including girls like Adan, have been displaced, thousands have been killed and health services are practically nonexistent. “The world can’t afford the total collapse of Sudan because the crisis will only ripple across Africa,” says Mohammed Qazilbash, Plan Sudan’s country director. “We need a united effort to ensure that Sudan does not remain neglected.” Learn more about what’s going on in Sudan through the eyes of the next generation – the youth – here: https://bit.ly/4hj1iBA * Note to followers: The crisis in Sudan continues to escalate each day. As of Feb. 5, 2025, more than 12.4 million people have been forced to leave their homes, 24.6 million people are experiencing high levels of food insecurity and an estimated 30.4 million - including 16 million children - need help.  #Sudan #SudanCrisis #FoodInsecurity

Meet the faces of our 2024 Annual Report: Elizabeth and Ecuabeth—two young leaders in Kilifi County, Kenya, who are taking climate change into their own hands. Faced with drought and food insecurity, they didn’t wait for a solution. They started growing one. Their story, told in pictures below, is just one of the many inspiring and hopeful reasons to check out our 2024 Annual Report. Get inspired at: https://bit.ly/3E9MoyT

Plan International calls on the Iraqi government to reconsider this harmful legislation and to fulfill its obligations under international human rights treaties. We urge the government to ensure that national laws set the minimum age of marriage at 18 regardless of religious, customary or traditional norms. “Child marriage is a grave violation of human rights that robs girls of their childhood. It jeopardizes their health, halts their education, violates their sexual and reproductive rights and denies them the chance to have a say in their own futures,” said Bhagyashri Dengle, regional director of Plan International in Asia and the Pacific. Read our full statement: https://bit.ly/40Bmv2w

This International Day of Education, learn about Mary’s inspiring journey from conflict to classroom 📚. Forced to flee South Sudan when she was just six years old, Mary found hope and a second chance in Uganda through Plan’s Gender Equality Movement in Schools (GEMS) program. Now she’s 14, and Mary dreams big – like one day becoming the Speaker of Parliament! 👩⚖️ Her message to girls everywhere: “Education has no age limits. Never give up on your dreams.” Our work in education 🎒: In 2024, Plan International Canada reached nearly 250,000 children with quality education programs. Learn how we did it in our 2024 Annual Report: https://bit.ly/42mtnTW #InternationalDayOfEducation #EducationForAll #GirlsRights #GirlsEducation

Did you hear? We just dropped something special. Our 2024 Annual Report is out today, and it’s more than just a recap — it’s full of stories of real change, powered by equality. In these pages, you’ll discover how 200,000+ supporters like you helped girls step into classrooms and communities gain access to clean water, plus so much more. And how these actions are making a big difference in the lives of more than 7 million people around the world. This isn’t just a report. It’s a conversation starter. It’s proof that even the smallest victories can spark surprising and transformative shifts in education, health and opportunity. Read more inspiring stories at https://bit.ly/4huk9JU

At least 17,580 children and 12,050 women have been killed in #Gaza over the past 15 months. A further 21,000 Palestinian children have sustained traumatic conflict-related injuries, many of them requiring significant rehabilitation with a high likelihood of disability. Plan International Canada reiterates its call for: ▪️ Safe and unhindered access for aid into all parts of the Gaza Strip. ▪️ The protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, healthcare workers and their facilities.  ▪️ The unconditional release of all hostages and Palestinian children held in detention.  Although the ceasefire is a crucial first step, the needs of Gaza’s children are ongoing. The international community must come together to support Gaza, ensuring that children’s rights to health, education, and safety are prioritized. These efforts must be part of a broader commitment to peace, justice, and lasting stability. Read our full statement: https://bit.ly/3DZK1ii

Join us in congratulating former Plan International Canada board chair Bernard Richard on his appointment to the Order of Canada. With a distinguished career in politics and children's rights advocacy, Bernard joined Plan International Canada’s Board of Directors in 2007 and was also our child rights advisor. After his departure from Plan, Bernard has continued to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of children and youth, both nationally and internationally. Congratulations, Bernard, on this well-deserved honour!