Gender and sexuality
The State of Girls' Rights in the UK 2024
Plan International UK · 2024
About this report
This report by Plan International UK presents findings from a survey of nearly 3,000 girls and young women aged 12–21 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, alongside creative workshops and a composite local authority index. It finds that while most girls report some happiness, wellbeing, safety, and trust in institutions decline sharply as girls get older, with only 5% feeling completely safe in public spaces and just 16% trusting politicians. Girls from marginalised communities — including LGBTQ+ girls, girls of colour, and those with disabilities — consistently face worse outcomes across all areas examined, including safety, mental health, education, and cost of living.
Research details
- Methodology
- SurveyFocus groupMixed methodsSecondary analysis
- Sample size
- 2,963
- Sample
- Girls and young women aged 12–21 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, including over 600 who identified as Asian, Asian British, Black, African, Caribbean, Black British or Mixed; over 600 who identified as LGBTQ+; and over a third who identified as neurodivergent or having a mental health, long-term health condition, or physical disability.
- Place
- UK-wide
- Youth involvement
- Co-produced