Plan International USA's Because I am a Girl Initiative, Washington DC, USA
From the Global Women's Network
| Plan International USA's Because I am a Girl Initiative, Washington DC, USA | |
|---|---|
| Logo: |  |
| Street address: | 1730 Rhode Island Ave., NW 11th Fl. |
| City: | Washington |
| State or Province: | District of Columbia |
| Country: | United States |
| Location: |
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| Location coordinates: | 38° 54' 29" N, 77° 2' 26" WLatitude: 38.9080786 Longitude: -77.0406147 |
| Executive Director: | Tessie San Martin |
| Contact number: | 202.223.8325 |
| Contact email: | Su.Balasubramanian@planusa.org |
| Website: | http://www.planusa.org/girls |
| Twitter: | http://twitter.com/#!/bcimagirl |
| Facebook: | http://www.facebook.com/bcimagirl |
| Target: | Girls |
| Organization type: | International NGO (operating in multiple countries) |
| Operates in the following countries: | Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Nepal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Vietnam |
| Sectors: | Child Marriage, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Economic Empowerment, Education, Empowerment, Female Genital Mutilation, Gender Discrimination, Health, Leadership, Microfinance, Poverty Alleviation, Reproductive Health, Reproductive Rights, Trafficking, Violence Against Women |
| Other sectors: | Protection |
| Year founded/registered: | 1937 |
| Annual budget: | USD58,832,963 |
| Number of staff: | 120 |
Contents |
Summary
The Because I am a Girl initiative at Plan International USA is part of a global program that will directly improve the lives of 4 million girls by 2015. Our initiative implements projects that creatThe Because I am a Girl (BIAAG) initiative at Plan International USA is part of a global campaign to directly improve the lives of 4 million girls by 2015. Our initiative raises awareness about issues facing girls and implements projects that create a better life for them and their communities in the developing world.
About
The BIAAG campaign includes the following components: (1) girls-focused projects; (2) policy development; and (3) awareness-raising and public engagement.
BIAAG recognizes that discrimination against girls and women is one of the main underlying causes of child poverty. Girls and boys have the same entitlements to human rights, but they face different challenges in accessing them. Girls are less likely to be enrolled in school, have less access to medical care, and are more likely to be deprived of food. They experience more violence and sexual harassment and are expected to take part in domestic chores, limiting their ability to develop their intellectual potential. Yet we know that investing in girls and young women has a disproportionately beneficial effect on alleviating poverty, not only for the girls themselves but for their families, their communities, and their countries. Everyone benefits, including boys and men.
Activities
Each BIAAG project aims to overcome barriers and provide girls with the tools to fulfill their potential. BIAAG projects provide clean water, food security, healthcare, education, and access to microfinance training and assistance. BIAAG projects are because each program emphasizes breaking down barriers and building girls’ assets. BIAAG projects currently being implemented include:
ETHIOPIA: Plan International USA believes that all girls have the right to a safe education, which is why Plan is supporting the Promoting African Grass-Roots Economic Security through Education and Skills Project. This project will benefit over 18,538 girls and 15,338 boys in the cities of Lalibela, Addis Ababa, and Jimma as well as the woreda of Shebedino. This project will provide girls with separate toilets, establish potable water locations, and offer tutorial classes, as well as create girl-friendly schools in non-threating and safe environments. The community will use skills from this project to educate and to empower girls. This program gives girls access to services and safe spaces.
EGYPT: Plan International USA believes that all girls have the right to marry when they are ready, which is why Plan is implementing the Empowering Girls to Learn and Abandonment of Early Marriage Project. This project will benefit over 5,500 people, including 4,000 women and girls in the governorates of Cairo and Kalioubia. This project will provide girls with vocational classes and lessons on female rights, as well as create advocacy and interest groups for girls. Women and girls will use skills from this project to become financially independent. The strength of this program comes from breaking down a harmful gender norm barrier, early marriage, and building girls’ personal and social assets, including knowledge and community advocacy.
EL SALVADOR: Plan International USA believes that all girls have the right to protection, which is why Plan is implementing the Child Protection Project. This project will benefit over 1,820 girls, 1,600 boys, 1,500 women, and 1,400 men in the departments of Cabañas, Cuscatlán, La Libertad, Chalatenango, and San Salvador. This project will give women confidence and support, as well as create advocates for girls within the juridical systems. Communities will use skills from this project to develop regulations to aid victims and bring perpetrators to justice. This program aims to combat gender-based violence in schools and provide girls with self-esteem and role models in the community.
VIETNAM: Plan International USA believes that all girls have the right to financial independence, which is why Plan is implementing the Village Savings and Loans for Women Project. This project will benefit over 11,000 women in the provinces of Quang Tri and Quang Binh. This project will give women financial stability, confidence, and hope, as well as create over 600 sustainable village savings and loans associations. Women will use the profits from this project to educate their children and grow their businesses. The strength of this program comes from breaking down barriers to economic insecurity that are a direct result of cultural gender norms, and it builds girls’ financial and social assets, including financial literacy skills.
BIAAG also encourages individuals to sign the petition and tell the United Nations to declare 22 September International Day of the Girl. An International Day of the Girl will focus the world's attention on the importance of girls' rights. To sign the petition today, visit http://plan-international.org/girls/get-involved/sign-the-petition.php
Needs
Being born a girl. It sounds simple. But even now, it’s amazing just how dangerous it can be: One in three girls will be assaulted in their lifetimes. Girls are at increased risk for abuse, trafficking and rape, especially in conflict zones. Make your contribution today and join Plan’s Because I am a Girl initiative, to promote girls' rights to a safe childhood, a complete education, and a healthy family in developing countries around the world. https://www.planusa.org/content1619899
