In partnership
with Plan International, Beiersdorf will empower girls’ rights to access
education and contribute to the prevention of gender-based violence in the wake
of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The outbreak
has affected all countries in Latin America severely. The focus of the joint
actions will be on initiatives in Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil where primarily
girls and young women as well as refugees, especially from Venezuela, face
increased threats of sexual violence, discrimination and abuse. Together,
Beiersdorf and Plan International will encourage and
protect girls so they are seen, heard and valued in their diversity and gain equal
rights for a self-determined life. The funding will help the respective local Plan
International teams to respond largely to the need of girls – and through them to
the needs of almost 20,000 children, young people and families in their
communities. The initiatives will enable them as well as the communities they
live in to overcome the mid- and long-term socioeconomic consequences of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Together with Plan International and their
unique and widespread capability to combine humanitarian response with long-standing,
successful experience in the communities by fostering close relationships with
people, local and national authorities, Beiersdorf is initiating change, step-by-step,
through impact-driven initiatives.
“The COVID-19 crisis is a major threat, especially for countless girls
and young women in developing countries. For the female population, it risks
destroying the tangible opportunity to lead a self-determined life. That would
be an incredible step backwards for their educational opportunities and gender
equality. Measures to contain the pandemic and beyond must focus on their
special needs. We must put an emphasis on their health, security and
well-being. Together with Beiersdorf, we have a chance to make a difference in
the program countries and to give many young women and their families a
future,” says Maike Roettger, National Director Plan International Germany.