Policy & Advocacy

Plan International drives changes in practice and policy using our reach, expertise and knowledge.

Plan believes that all young people, especially girls and young women, deserve spaces to define their futures and identities.

We work with youth leaders, advocates and partners in the U.S. to advance children’s rights and equality for girls at the local, national and global levels. Discussion by discussion, issue by issue, and bill by bill, we’re creating a world where we are all equal.

Stay in touch

The challenges young people face are at the forefront of Plan’s work — in the U.S. and abroad. Read our latest statements to learn more about our commitment to fighting for a more equal world. Below are a few issues we focus on.

Issues we

focus on

Advancing localization

Plan is committed to empowering local organizations and communities in the countries where we work to lead development efforts. We invest in strengthening their capacities and advocate for increased funding to support sustainable, locally-driven solutions.
Read more

Online safety

Plan and our youth advocates are dedicated to pushing for stronger online safety measures to prevent technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Plan supports the passage of key legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act and actively work with our partners to prioritize this issue on lawmakers’ agenda. Youth advocates have engaged in research, consultations and advocacy campaigns at the White House, Capitol Hill and the United Nations.
Read our latest report with CNN

Sexual and reproductive health rights

Adolescent girls and young women in the countries where Plan works are frequently subjected to serious harm and human rights violations, including coerced sex and child marriage. Plan believes that all children, adolescents and young people deserve to be protected from harm and to lead safe and healthy lives.
Learn more

Period poverty

Young people are determined to ensure equitable menstrual health. Our Youth Advisory Board’s period campaign, It’s Bloody Normal, is fighting to end period poverty and menstrual stigma around the world by engaging their networks to support people’s menstrual health needs, especially during emergencies.
Support the campaign

Quality, inclusive education

Plan calls on the U.S. Government and the international community to maintain investments to improve policies, strategies and programs that ensure access to quality education for all children, especially girls.
Read more

Youth empowerment

Young people in the U.S. take part in — and lead — advocacy initiatives with Plan to advance meaningful youth engagement and empowerment. The latest Youth Wrapped report highlights their incredible achievements from 2023.
Read the report

Contact us

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Fugle

Head of Policy

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kristen Sauceda

Senior Associate, Youth Economic Empowerment

[email protected]