Plan International Review
InformationWho They Are
Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children’s development organisations in the world. They work in 50 developing countries and raise funds in 21 countries, including Australia.
Founded in 1937, Plan International has no religious or political affiliations. They are an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
Plan International Australia recognises that there is nowhere in the world where girls are treated as equals. They work alongside children, young people, supporters and partners to tackle root causes of the injustices facing girls and the most marginalised children.
Their Purpose:
- Empower children, young people and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls, exclusion and vulnerability.
- Drive change in practice and policy at local, national and global levels through our reach, experience and knowledge of the realities children face.
- Work with children and communities to prepare for and respond to crises and to overcome adversity.
- Support the safe and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood.
Their Work
The Plan International Australia program supports children in more than 25 countries. They raise funds via sponsorship programs and donations.
Throughout the world, Plan International works with local partners as well as local and national governments to change policies. They work with local communities to help children and young people to tackle the root causes of poverty, exclusion and discrimination with a focus on girls.
In 2018:
- 18.1 million girls were reached by their work
- 16.1 million boys were reached by their work
Food
Plan International recognizes that good health begins with good food. “We teach families about the benefits of proper nutrition and how to best use local produce to give their children a nourishing diet. We also work in schools to provide free breakfasts, and teach children how to grow their own vegetable gardens. When children have a nutritious diet they are more likely to grow up healthy, strong and ready to learn,” they say.
Water, Hygiene, & Sanitation
According to Plan International, 650 million people throughout the world don’t have access to clean water: “Many children in developing countries are forced to walk up to an hour each morning to fetch the family’s water from local streams, cutting into time they should spend at school. Adding to this, poor hygiene practice, like not washing hands with soap and going to the toilet in the open, can lead to life-threatening illness,” they explain.
Plan International focuses on training communities, showing people how to build their own toilets, and teach children and their families about good hygiene.
Early Childhood
As per the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, all children have the right to play. However, many children around the world can’t exercise this basic right.
According to Plan International some children don’t have access to a clean spaces, or have enough time to play when they’re forced to do domestic jobs.
“In places where children are needed to fetch water, tend to crops, sell at markets, or care for younger siblings, playtime may well be considered a luxury rather than a right,” they say.
This is why Plan International makes play is a priority, developing early learning projects throughout the globe.
Children’s Education
75 million children around the world are missing out on their education. Plan International says that education is a basic human right, but it also gives children, young people and their communities the knowledge and skills they need to claim their human rights.
Youth Education
Plan International recognizes the education of adults under 25 is critical to lead their own futures, yet millions of young men and women are not completing secondary school or able to access other training to develop the skills for decent work.
“We believe in young people. That’s why we enable them to gain knowledge of their rights, have the confidence to speak up, get skills-training and access jobs or self-employment opportunities,” they say.
Natural Disaster & Emergency Relief
Most lives are lost in the first days after a disaster. Plan International provides a quick response to save as many lives as possible.
“We respond to meet the most needs of children and their families affected by the disaster as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours. We provide nutritious food, clean water, safe places for children to play and relax, and kits that include the essentials like nappies, sanitary pads and soap,” they explain.
Climate Change
Plan International recognizes that climate change is a threat to children.
“Our generation has an opportunity to make the world a safer and fairer place for the next one. Plan International is working across south-east Asia and the Pacific, to help communities adapt to climate change. We’re working to improve farming practices, build awareness, and teach children and adults through games, school-curriculum and community outreach,” they say.
Current Initiatives
Plan International has the ambition to transform the lives of 100 million girls via their current initiatives. A sample of current initiatives is outlined below:
#GirlsGetEqual”
Plan International activities say they won’t stop until girls can live, love and lead without fear or discrimination. ”Until you can see and hear us equally in positions of power. In governments and parliaments. As CEOs and leaders. In our classrooms and our homes. We will not be stopped.”
Promoting Quality Education:
Plan International helps teachers support children from a range of backgrounds.
Via this initiative Plan International says they’ve promoted conflict-sensitive teaching methods to support Syrian refugees in Egypt to learn alongside Egyptian students. In Vietnam, they’ve helped break down language barriers that prevent teachers supporting ethnic minority children, increasing enrolment by 10%. In Central African Republic, a learning programme brought 715 out-of-school children into formal education.”
Scaling Up Work on Gender and Inclusion:
Plan International partners with education ministries throughout the world to scale up work on gender and inclusion.
“In El Salvador, the partnership has allowed us to implement a programme in 92 schools promoting girls’ participation in leadership and decision-making. In Malawi, we collaborated with the Ministry of Education to tackle misconceptions about menstrual hygiene,reducing barriers to girls’ attendance at school,” they explain.
Recent Wins
1. Child Marriage Outlawed in Malawi
In February 2017, in response to a Plan International campaign, the Parliament of Malawi made an historic amendment to its constitution to outlaw child marriage once and for all.
2. More Investment in Girls’ Health in Uganda
In March 2017 Plan International Uganda Youth Advocates met with members of the Ugandan Parliament to call for more investment in sexual health services and information.
3. Making Melbourne Safer
Plan International worked in partnership with Monash University and the City of Melbourne to design ways of making Melbourne a safer and more welcoming city for girls.
4. More Funding for Family Planning in the Pacific
In response to the petition from hundreds of supporters, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced an increase of $33 million over the next four years to go to the UN’s family planning work in the Pacific.
5. Making Child Marriage Illegal in Tanzania
Thousands of Australians joined Plan International supporters around the world to stand with Plan International youth advocates in Tanzania, asking their government to lift the age of marriage for girls to 18 (as it is for boys).
Ways to Donate
Online Donation.
You can make a donation online via their website.
Donate here to Help Plan International in its crusade to create a more equal world where all children can live happy and healthy lives.
Sponsor a Child
When you sponsor a child through Plan International you’re supporting life-changing projects that are centred around children and their whole community.
https://my.plan.org.au/become-a-child-sponsor
Gifts of Hope
By choosing a Gift of Hope, you’re not just giving a heartfelt gift to a love one – you’re helping girls and their communities all over the world to transform their lives.
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Social Links
https://www.facebook.com/planaustralia
https://www.instagram.com/plan_australia/