Peru
Stories from change-makers in Peru
Edith is defying machismo culture in order to follow her passion: cars.
“I’ve always liked cars, feeling the adrenaline rush,” explains Edith. “I like to see every part of the car and understand exactly how it works.”
Young women are often excluded from working in the automotive industry. But that won’t be the case for Edith. Because of her passion for cars, she jumped at the chance to participate in an auto mechanic vocational training course offered by Plan International and Hyundai.
“We are all looking for a better future, and I like that,” she says. “We’re breaking down all types of career conventions and all kinds of stereotypes about women. Men and women, together, help each other in class and teach each other.”
Beyond skills training, the Plan program also taught youth participants about sexual and reproductive rights, gender equality and self-esteem.
“Breaking stereotypes also means preventing abuse, rape and violence,” says Edith. “You learn to accept yourself, forget about machismo and the idea that women are inferior.”
Learn about our Skills & Work programs
Young women are often excluded from working in the automotive industry. But that won’t be the case for Edith. Because of her passion for cars, she jumped at the chance to participate in an auto mechanic vocational training course offered by Plan International and Hyundai.
“We are all looking for a better future, and I like that,” she says. “We’re breaking down all types of career conventions and all kinds of stereotypes about women. Men and women, together, help each other in class and teach each other.”
Beyond skills training, the Plan program also taught youth participants about sexual and reproductive rights, gender equality and self-esteem.
“Breaking stereotypes also means preventing abuse, rape and violence,” says Edith. “You learn to accept yourself, forget about machismo and the idea that women are inferior.”
Astrid is a teen activist dedicated to creating a safe environment for migrant children.
She knows their struggle all too well — because she’s one of them.
Astrid has lived in Peru since 2018, after her family made the difficult journey from Venezuela to escape the turmoil and instability there.
Life for Venezuelan migrant families in Peru is not easy. Many of them struggle to make a living, especially during COVID-19. A lot of the children aren’t enrolled in school. And girls and women in this community are at high risk for violence and exploitation, especially while in transit.
How did Astrid have the courage to become an activist with Plan International under these circumstances?
She’s surrounded by great female role models. “I come from a generation of strong-willed, charismatic and determined women who are always helping others,” says Astrid.
So, she stepped up as a leader.
"I trained for nine months on gender-based violence, human rights, sexual and reproductive rights, human trafficking, harassment and communication skills,” explains Astrid. “I seek to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence.”
Astrid believes the active participation of Venezuelan girls and adolescents should be at the center of this work. And Plan agrees — because who else knows their struggle better than them?
Learn about Plan’s youth advocates
Astrid has lived in Peru since 2018, after her family made the difficult journey from Venezuela to escape the turmoil and instability there.
Life for Venezuelan migrant families in Peru is not easy. Many of them struggle to make a living, especially during COVID-19. A lot of the children aren’t enrolled in school. And girls and women in this community are at high risk for violence and exploitation, especially while in transit.
How did Astrid have the courage to become an activist with Plan International under these circumstances?
She’s surrounded by great female role models. “I come from a generation of strong-willed, charismatic and determined women who are always helping others,” says Astrid.
So, she stepped up as a leader.
"I trained for nine months on gender-based violence, human rights, sexual and reproductive rights, human trafficking, harassment and communication skills,” explains Astrid. “I seek to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence.”
Astrid believes the active participation of Venezuelan girls and adolescents should be at the center of this work. And Plan agrees — because who else knows their struggle better than them?
Lima is one of the most dangerous cities in the world for girls, according to a study by Plan International.
The report reveals that it’s extremely unsafe for girls to leave the house alone.
But young activists like Angela see a safer and more equal Lima in the future.
Angela is part of Plan’s Safer Cities for Girls project, which empowers young people to become advocates for safer public spaces for girls and young women.
Angela has some ideas for what needs to change.
“I would change the machismo culture first, because it prevents us from moving forward,” explains Angela. “Before, women had no opinion, no vote, because we were little animals to them. They told us what to do and where to go and we had to stay in the house. If machismo was reduced, we could achieve whatever we want.”
The Safer Cities for Girls project enables girls and boys to learn from each other. Angela has discovered that many boys and men are actually sensitive, supportive and willing to make changes. They’re in this fight together.
“I have more trust in the future. Machismo is diminishing and feminism is advancing. We cannot change everything, but little by little, we can end machismo.”
Learn more about Safer Cities for Girls
But young activists like Angela see a safer and more equal Lima in the future.
Angela is part of Plan’s Safer Cities for Girls project, which empowers young people to become advocates for safer public spaces for girls and young women.
Angela has some ideas for what needs to change.
“I would change the machismo culture first, because it prevents us from moving forward,” explains Angela. “Before, women had no opinion, no vote, because we were little animals to them. They told us what to do and where to go and we had to stay in the house. If machismo was reduced, we could achieve whatever we want.”
The Safer Cities for Girls project enables girls and boys to learn from each other. Angela has discovered that many boys and men are actually sensitive, supportive and willing to make changes. They’re in this fight together.
“I have more trust in the future. Machismo is diminishing and feminism is advancing. We cannot change everything, but little by little, we can end machismo.”
Plan International has been working to improve children’s lives in Peru since 1994.
Our work in Peru
Office & operations
Plan Peru’s country office is in Lima, with program offices in Cusco, Lima and Piura.
Technical areas
Education, Skills and Work, Health, Protection, Disaster Risk Preparedness and Management
Number of sponsored children
As of June 2022, people like you sponsor 24,192 children in Peru through Plan International.
Gender equality is a fight we must all take on together. Through sponsorship, you can change lives and create long-term impact in communities.
The full circle of Fate
When you sponsor a child through Plan, you form an incredible friendship.
But that’s just the beginning. With Plan, you also have the unique opportunity to:
Send them birthday gifts and cards.
Give them special holiday presents called Little Treasures.
Subscribe them to Plan’s educational kids’ magazine, Sunny Days.
Arrange a visit (pending any travel restrictions), with individual travel assistance from us.
Each gift offering is safely hand-delivered by us, and given to your child with personalized cards from you. It’s likely that the child you sponsor will have never seen anything like these gifts, and with the exception of Little Treasures they’re available year-round to make the bond between you and your sponsored child even stronger.
Meet a child to sponsor