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Desiree Buitenbos

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4 first period stories from around the world

| May 19, 2021

What do many girls around the world have in common? Periods. Read these four stories to see how girls have experienced their first periods from Uganda to Cambodia. Read more »

15-year-old girl from Sierra Leone stand with arms crossed in a doorway

How this brave 15-year-old convinced her mom to stop practicing FGM

| Apr 26, 2021

At 15, Marie refused to undergo FGM even though her mom was the local practioner. Meet this brave girl and see how she convinced her mom to change. Read more »

Ayalnesh stands with her arms in the air overlooking hills and a blue sky

Meet Ayalnesh, a former child bride turned survivor, leader and defender of girls’ rights

| Apr 6, 2021

At age 12, Ayalnesh became a child bride against her will. Now, she's sharing her personal story and stopping child marriages in her community. Read more »

young black woman wearing a protective facemask

How can a pandemic cause a rise in violence against women and girls?

| Mar 17, 2021

Can a pandemic cause a rise in violence against women and girls? Get the answer and learn how gender-based violence impacts women and girls globally. Read more »

Youth from Plan International Canada’s Girls Belong Here program hold up “I will be a leader” sign.

Breaking the glass ceiling: empowering girls to become tomorrow’s leaders

| Mar 3, 2021

Empowering girls to become the leaders of tomorrow is at the heart of our Girls Belong Here program. Learn more and meet the inspiring participants. Read more »

expecting mother receives a sonogram during covid-19

What you need to know about the impact of gender inequality on health

| Feb 8, 2021

The impact of gender inequality on health can result in devastating and deadly consequences – especially for women and adolescent girls. See why. Read more »

two panel pic Aiza and Raiha smiling

How inspiring young leaders pay it forward to help others

| Jan 14, 2021

Pay it forward is the concept of passing on kindness, and no one knows this better than Aiza and Raiha. Meet these 2 inspiring youth heroes. Read more »

Syrian girl uses a tablet to access literacy and numeracy lessons online

How digital classrooms are helping Syrian refugee children learn

| Jan 11, 2021

Syrian refugee children are accessing education during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to innovative digital solutions made possible by Canadian support. Read more »

Giving Tuesday: 4 things you need to know

| Nov 24, 2020

Giving Tuesday marks the beginning of the holiday giving season. Find out more about this impactful day and learn how to support giving back to others. Read more »

Thai girl holds up her birth certificate

7 gifts for minimalists that help make the world a better place

| Nov 19, 2020

Find gifts for minimalists who are hard to shop for. These gifts can help make the world a better place by addressing climate change and tackling poverty. Read more »

two women mechanics working under the hood of a car

Meet the mechanics working to overcome gender inequality in Guinea

| Nov 12, 2020

Meet Teninkè and N'Mahawa. These inspiring women are working to overcome gender inequality in Guinea by defying traditional gender norms. Read more »

young fashionably dressed girl uses her laptop

Data reveals impact of cyberbullying on girls’ lives in Canada

| Oct 5, 2020

In a new survey from Plan International Canada, girls were asked to share their experiences with cyberbullying. See the results here. Read more »