Health, nutrition & WASH

Every girl deserves to grow up healthy — but for millions, that basic expectation remains out of reach. We work to change that, making sure girls and young women can access the health services, nutrition and basic support they need to survive, develop and thrive at every stage of their lives.

In 2025…

people screened for malnutrition
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people accessed improved WASH
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children accessed health services
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The challenges

For too many girls, the barriers to good health start early and compound over time. Mothers and babies often lack access to basic care before, during and after birth. Young people — especially girls — struggle to access mental health support, even as the pressures they face continue to grow. Malnutrition affects millions of children, limiting not just their physical health but their ability to learn and develop. And in too many communities, the simple basics of clean water and safe toilets remain unavailable — a problem that has an outsized impact on girls and women, particularly during menstruation and pregnancy.

Our work

We work to make existing health systems better and more accessible for girls and young women. That means supporting mothers to access antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. We also prioritize mental health and psychosocial support for young people, particularly in crisis settings. We’re working to improve nutrition through education, support for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and sustainable agriculture practices that improve food security.

Increasing access to clean water and safe sanitation is also essential. We work to make sure that schools, health facilities and communities have the WASH — water, sanitation and hygiene — infrastructure girls need — because a girl without clean water at home or a safe toilet at school faces barriers that go far beyond hygiene — it impacts whether she stays in school, stays healthy and feels safe.

Putting girls and young people at the center

Across our health work, we make sure girls and young people have a say in improving the services and systems that affect them, because young people know what they need better than anyone else. And as climate change increasingly threatens health systems and food security, we build resilience into everything we do — so that communities are better prepared for the challenges ahead.

How you can help

Give to Plan

Our global programs are made possible by donors who believe in building a world where we are all equal. Explore ways to join our mission as a donor.

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Work with us

We work with partners around the world, from local community groups to global organizations. If you share our belief that every girl deserves the chance to fulfill her potential — we’d love to hear from you.

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