Plan International UK

Youth Advocate, Clara sat down with Anneliese Dodds, Minister for Women and Equalities and Minister for International Development at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to find out what more can be done to help women and girls across the world this #DayOfTheGirl

"This girls' takeover wasn’t just about making history in a newsroom; it was about celebrating the potential of young women and the power we hold to reshape the future." Meet Vannessa, 23, Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Mirror for #DayOfTheGirl For her #GirlsTakeover, Vannessa took over from Editor-in-Chief Caroline Waterston for the day, learning more about what the media world is like for women and how it's changing 📰 Reach plc

Today on #DayOfTheGirl at @Plan International UK we want to make sure every girl can have an education. Around the world, 129 million girls are out of school and being denied the chance to learn.   For the girls who are in school, too many are attending on an empty stomach. Doing homework while bombs fall overhead. Defying parents’ pressure to marry.   Girls are ready to shape their own futures and write their own stories. They refuse to give up.   Together we can change the odds, one girl at a time. So that every girl can take a seat in the classroom – and stay there.   Will you join us? https://bit.ly/47X4IpZ

For this year’s #DayOfTheGirl, Ideja took over from Louise Coates leading the product launch team at Ford UK. She spent the day experiencing the benefits of the Ford telematics app first-hand, problem-solving in leadership meetings and sharing her ideas on how to improve Ford Pro Solutions for a younger audience. Against all odds, girls like Ideja continue to break barriers and push for equality in spaces where they’re typically underrepresented. Girls’ Takeover is a reminder that girls belong in positions of power and influence too. On this #DayOfTheGirl, let’s celebrate the strength, resilience, and determination of girls everywhere. When given the chance, they don’t just dream—they lead. 🙌

Remember the notes you had to send your teachers when you were at school? 📄 From permission slips for school trips and excuses when you forgot your PE kit. To absence notes when you were sick or couldn’t make it in because of snow. But imagine if you had to drop out of school for good. What would that note say? Suhad, 14, is now living inside a school in Gaza. She moved here after her home was destroyed during the recent conflict.  If she had to write an absence note to her teacher this is what it might say 👇 Find out more about Suhad's story and why millions of girls are missing out on school every day: https://bit.ly/3U1SQ05

Conflict robs an entire generation of a normal, happy and safe childhood. Children are always innocent, and we must ensure they not only survive but are able to thrive, even in the toughest of circumstances. Together with young people we can demand change, and call on world leaders to take urgent action to prevent and tackle global crises and conflict. Find out more about the lives of girls and young people living through conflict: https://bit.ly/4ePxMCx

Every day that passes without a permanent ceasefire means more children killed, while those who survive are exposed to constant daily traumas that will leave mental and physical scars for years to come. The international community has a legal and moral obligation to stop this devastation and prevent more deaths. The UK Government must urgently redouble its efforts to ensure an immediate and permanent #CeasefireNOW and #StopArmingIsrael In response to the crisis, we are scaling up our life-saving assistance for children and their families in Gaza, Lebanon, and the wider region. Please donate today ➡️ https://bit.ly/4gUqLRY

"This makes me want to ask people in the west and Israel one question: “Aren’t we human just like you?"" A young woman shares her experience of living in Gaza right now. Children and young people in Gaza are facing unimagainable horrors, action must be taken. "Many of the children are traumatised from witnessing violence and losing loved ones, and that can have long-term psychological effects. On top of that, economic collapse and lack of infrastructure make it hard for young people to envision a stable future, or plan for a normal life. We face so many barriers to our dreams and aspirations." "If the war ended, I could go out on the street and feel safe again, although I don’t know how likely that is, or whether I will still be alive after the war. But one of the things that could help me is not feeling that our cause is marginalised and everyone is ignoring it." There must be an immediate and permanent #CeasefireNOW and the UK gov must end all arms sales to Israel immediately. We can not look away. Read more ⬇️

Conflict turns lives upside down. It robs children of a normal, happy and safe childhood. Young people are forced to flee their homes, missing out on school, facing hunger, violence and exploitation. They are witnessing unimaginable horrors and losing their innocence. We must ensure that children and young people not only survive conflict, but are able to thrive, even in the toughest circumstances. Youth artists from across the world are standing in solidarity with children living in conflict. Image 1 👉 Nigerian based artist Chigozie wanted to recognise the countless challenges faced by girls and young women just for simply existing. "This painting serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to unite and work towards a world where girls and young women can thrive and grow in a supportive, peaceful and protected environment." Image 2 👉 American artist Caitlin wanted to "highlight the importance of global solitary and standing up for folks living in conflict zones." Image 3 👉 Phillippines based artist Ella was inspired by girls living in conflict, and the injustices they face. "I wanted the border to resemble a quilt, to represent how we should all come together to address the issues that plague these young girls. This piece is full of colour and joy - a vision for the future that’s possible when we all unite." Image 4 👉 Ukrainian illustrator Mari's art focuses on the safety of secure borders. As she says, “because when you have that, you have the essential feeling that you can have a future.” Share this art and show that you stand in solidarity with childen and young people across the world who are living in conflict 💙

It's #InternationalCoffeeDay, we’re reflecting on our partnership with the Costa Foundation, which supports coffee-growing communities by increasing access to good quality education. Since 2015, we’ve worked together to deliver six key projects, helping to create safe, inclusive spaces where over 5,700 children can learn and grow. Thank you to all who are working to ensure that children in coffee-growing regions can remain in the classroom. Together, we’re working toward a future where every child has the chance to learn to give them the best start at life. #Honduras #Education #GenderEquality #Costa #InternationalCoffeeDay