PROTECTION FROM VIOLENCE
PROTECTION FROM VIOLENCE
NEWS FEED – EL SALVADOR
Protection Measures Keeping children safe in vulnerable settings drives our project objectives and is at the heart of our mission.
Naming Rights Gender-identity law empowers transgender people.
SPOTLIGHT COMMON GROUND
Because I am a Girl (BIAAG) supporters contribute to projects running in countries that all have their own cultures and customs. But they all have something in common: Girls living in these countries face massive barriers to leading a life of their choosing. They are
Plan International is working with transgender activists and other advocacy groups in El Salvador to challenge the Name Law, which doesn’t permit people to change their name or gender on their identity documents. In February 2022, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice in El Salvador ruled that the law was unconstitutional and discriminatory. The new Gender Identity Law hasn’t been enacted yet, but Plan International and other groups continue to support activists in lobbying for this change. “This law is key because without it, an individual may not be able to access education, health care or employment,” explains Dr. Erika Silva, health advisor at Plan International Canada. “We support the empowerment of this population so they can continue fighting for their rights. They may be born a man, but if they are dressed as a
woman when they go to a health facility, they are rejected.” This law addresses the prejudice, discrimination and violence that many transgender people face. With the support of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the McLean Smits Family Foundation, we also created private safe spaces, like mobile vans for health care workers to offer HIV testing and distribute HIV-prevention kits. 25 , 600+ HIV-prevention kits were distributed to high-risk populations.
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M illions of children and adolescents worldwide are at risk due to neglect and exploitation. “Our programs are designed to help prevent violence and to keep children, especially girls, safe,” explains Dr. Tanjina Mirza, chief programs officer at Plan International Canada. “We work with communities to shift societal and cultural attitudes toward practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation as well as other types of gender-based violence.” Together, we have achieved some notable gains. One local marriage registrar in Bangladesh told us that his new motto is “No more child marriage. Go ahead with a dream in mind.” (See page 53.)
To help protect children and women from violence, we: Try to help shift cultural attitudes associated with harmful gender and social norms. Lobby to improve laws, policies, systems and services. Empower girls, parents and communities on the importance of keeping children safe from harm, violence and abuse.
often undervalued, undermined and underestimated. Today, in many parts of the world, gender inequality is increasing because of COVID-19, armed conflict, climate change and poverty. In 2022, BIAAG funds supported more than 70 projects in 30 countries. Each of these projects shares these three goals:
Ingrid is one of many Colombians affected by years of internal armed conflict and violence. The mother of one participated in the Leading for Peace project and now has launched her own fashion company. “I have been dismissed and humiliated,” she says, adding, “Plan International Canada was the first to believe in me.” After having entrepreneurial training, which was made possible by financial assistance from Global Affairs Canada and matched funds from supporters, she is now able to support other young women whose lives have been affected by the conflict – particularly single mothers and people with diverse abilities. “We have to resist, persist and never give up,” she says.
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Strive to end gender inequality.
Continually promote girls’ rights.
Lift girls out of poverty through education.
We support government and community protection services to keep children and youth safe..
IN 2022
out-of-school girls were protected from child marriage in Bangladesh. girls in Burkina Faso were able to continue their studies until graduation thanks to safer schools.
8 , 000 33 , 500
Impact Report Stories of Change July 2022
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BY THE NUMBERS GIFTS OF HOPE
“A birth certificate is an open door, a bridge and a shield,” explains Emma Patterson, director of Gifts of Hope at Plan International Canada. “It provides access to essential human rights and bestows an identity, the ability to vote and a say in shaping
the world. For girls in particular, it offers special protection against the perils of child marriage, child trafficking and forced or exploitative labour.” Every year, 51 million babies are not registered at birth. Child by child, girl by girl, this gift is changing that.
$71,047 In 2022, the $27 Birth Certificate gift raised:
150 , 000
young entrepreneurs and peacemakers were trained in Colombia.
READ THE 2022 IMPACT REPORT
HIV Prevention in El Salvador
50 | 2022 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report | 51
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