On October 1, 2025, Plan International released its 2025 State of the World’s Girls report, emphasizing education as a vital pathway for girls to achieve brighter futures. This report, titled “Let Me Be a Child, Not a Wife: Girls’ Experiences of Living Through Child Marriage,” reveals the significant barriers preventing millions of girls from accessing education. Alongside the report, Plan International launched a matching gift campaign aimed at supporting children to remain in school and continue their education without interruptions.
Child Marriage as a Major Barrier
The report highlights that child, early, and forced marriage is one of the most pressing obstacles to girls’ education. Through the testimonies of 251 girls who married before the age of 18 across 15 countries, it was found that 63% were no longer engaged in school, training, or work after marriage. Alarmingly, more than one in three girls cited marriage as the direct reason for dropping out of school. The majority expressed regret over the educational opportunities they lost as a result of early marriage.
While often perceived as a distant issue, child marriage remains a concern in the United States. Currently, children can still be married in 34 states, and between 2000 and 2018, nearly 300,000 minors were legally married. These findings are igniting discussions globally, with media outlets like CNN bringing the issue to a broader audience.
Call to Action on International Day of the Girl
“Every girl is worthy of an education, yet across the world, too many girls are kept from school by poverty, safety concerns, accessibility, and cultural norms like early marriage,” stated Shanna Marzilli, President and CEO of Plan International USA. She emphasized that supporting girls in their educational pursuits benefits entire communities. On this International Day of the Girl, Plan International invites supporters to join efforts in dismantling these barriers, ensuring that every girl can attend school, stay in school, and shape her future.
One tangible way to contribute is through Plan’s backpack campaign. A backpack symbolizes more than just school supplies; it represents a step towards ensuring girls remain in school. Since the launch of this initiative, Plan has provided backpacks filled with essential school supplies to children in five countries, helping them arrive at school prepared and eager to learn.
During October, in recognition of International Day of the Girl, every backpack purchased will be matched, effectively doubling the contribution. A donation of $25 will equate to the provision of two backpacks, supporting young learners worldwide. More information can be found at www.planusa.org/backpacks.
Plan International is a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and promoting equality for girls. With over 85 years of experience, the organization operates in more than 80 countries, striving to transform lives and tackle the root causes of challenges faced by children, with a particular focus on the experiences of girls. The mission continues until equality is achieved for all.
For further details and to access the full report, visit www.planusa.org.