Plan International’s 80th birthday was celebrated in Burkina Faso as we introduced the organisation’s new global ambition to enable 100 million girls to learn, lead, decide and thrive.
The event was attended by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Women, National Solidarity and Family, Laure Zongo, who supported Plan International’s new focus on girls. “Your ambition to see 100 million girls learn, lead, decide and thrive is a very noble one,” said Ms. Zongo.
“Congratulations to Plan International for that bold ambition. My ministry and I myself will work hand in hand with you for the wellbeing of girls, the wonderful women who will build a better society in the future”.
I myself will work hand in hand with you for the wellbeing of girls
Earlier, Plan International Burkina Faso Country Director, Dr. Fatoumata Haidara, said, “We are laying the emphasis on girls because they suffer most from injustices and abuses of all kinds.
“Discrimination, harmful practice like genital cutting, early marriages, pregnancies and subsequent diseases, impede on their development. It is impossible in these conditions to see children exercise their rights when girls’ rights continue to be violated”.
Ms Zongo will soon be submitting a national girls’ protection strategy for government approval and was delighted about Plan International’s support for girls’ rights. She said, “It is a common concern that we are sharing with the largest International NGO in the country. Eighty years in the life of an individual is great. For an organisation, existing for 80 years means maturity, genuine experience and quality work. We are definitely going to work together to advance girls’ rights.”
The celebration was also an opportunity to launch a new graduate internship project for girls. The Lifting Up Girls project has already seen 18 girls in post and getting valuable experience.
