Every year on March 8, we mark International Women’s Day, a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come and to be clear about how far we still have to go.
At Plan, International Women’s Day connects us to a legacy more than a century in the making, and to the girls who will shape what comes next. What began as women organizing for labor rights, suffrage and equality has grown into a global movement that challenges the systems that continue to hold women and girls back.
For us, that connection is clear. The barriers adult women face do not begin in adulthood. They take root early, when girls are denied education, pushed into early marriage, excluded from leadership or exposed to violence simply because of their gender.
Each year on March 8, we use International Women’s Day to elevate the voices and leadership of girls alongside women. We spotlight the political, cultural, social and economic contributions of women worldwide while naming the inequities that girls continue to experience: from unequal access to education and health care to gender-based violence, exploitation and harmful norms.
We mark the day through an annual awareness campaign that centers girls’ rights, shares stories of leadership and resilience across generations and calls attention to the changes needed to ensure every girl can grow up safe, educated and able to lead.
Progress for women is not possible without justice for girls.
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International Women’s Day 2026 highlights rights, justice and action. Learn why girls’ education is the foundation of women’s equality and economic growth.
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Plan International is proud to support girls’ education and empowerment through partnerships that help them learn, lead, decide and thrive every day of the year. This story was
In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, we’re highlighting some of our partnerships that are empowering today’s girls to become tomorrow’s leaders. Together,
Every girl deserves to grow up in a world where her potential is realized, her voice is heard and her equality is not just a
There are two mechanics regarded by their customers as some of the best car technicians in Guinea. The pair are N’Mahawa, age 25, and Teninké,
A girl leads a community dialogue session in Tanzania, speaking to peers and community members on gender equality and girls’ education. | Lilian Mmbaga, ©
“My hopes for tomorrow are to continue my studies, to have diplomas, to have a job and a better future.” — Catherine, age 16
What if your holiday gifts could keep making a difference all year long? When you honor a loved one with a Gift of Hope, that’s
Every three seconds, a girl is married, cutting her education short. New data from Plan International reveals how this crisis unfolds and how to fight it. #EndChildMarriage
Girls’ safety is the missing link in economic empowerment. Plan International’s research shows how harmful gender norms limit girls’ access to education and work — and why addressing safety is essential for building skills and unlocking opportunity.
In disaster-prone Indonesia, girls and marginalized children face unique risks when emergencies hit. Humanitarian expert Maulinna Utaminingsih shares why inclusive, ethical response — with education at its core — can change lives.
In the wake of Myanmar’s earthquake, girls face heightened risks of trafficking, violence and school dropout. Plan International USA’s Frank Manfredi shares how we are responding to protect their futures.
By fusing the power of senior leadership and budgets with the insights of policy and learning, the new Bureau of Policy, Resources, and Performance has the potential to become USAID’s powerhouse for program effectiveness.
By fusing the power of senior leadership and budgets with the insights of policy and learning, the new Bureau of Policy, Resources, and Performance has the potential to become USAID’s powerhouse for program effectiveness.
This article was written by Aisha Bukar Usman, Access to Education Lead for Plan International Nigeria. With approximately 20 million children out of school, Nigeria
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