Mothers learn positive parenting skills together
Kunta says joining the parenting group was one of the best decisions she has made.
Maternal and child health
Young children need nutritious food, medical care, clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities to grow up healthy, learn and reach their full potential.
The world is failing girls and their children. We won’t. Preventable hunger and illness are still cutting lives short — especially for girls, young mothers and their babies — at a time when the solutions are clear and urgent.
- In 2024, 4.9 million children under 5 died largely of preventable causes
- In 2025, acute malnutrition affected an estimated 42.8 million children under 5 while stunting affected 150.2 million
What factors lead to malnutrition in young children?
- Frequent illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea make it harder for children to absorb nutrients
- Not getting enough of the right kinds of nutritious food
- Poor maternal health and nutrition
- Families not being able to afford or access a variety of nutritious foods
- Living in difficult conditions, such as rural and remote areas or places affected by conflict, disasters or climate change
What is Plan International’s approach to improving maternal and child health?
Supporting the health and nutrition of mothers and young children is a key priority for Plan International.
As part of our work in Health, Nutrition and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), we focus on:
- Supporting families to improve the health of their children, prevent disease and care for common illnesses at home
- Promoting good feeding practices such as exclusive breastfeeding during children’s first 6 months, introducing nutritious foods from 6 months and continuing breastfeeding up to 2 years
- Expanding access to quality essential services, which prevent and manage malnutrition and common childhood illnesses, provide basic emergency care for mothers and newborns
- Strengthening local clinics, health centres and workers
- Training and supporting community health workers
- Working with governments and health leaders to increase the preparedness of health services to respond to crises including disasters and emergencies
Health and gender equality strengthened in 5 countries
Across Bangladesh, Ghana, Haiti, Nigeria and Senegal, girls and young women are claiming their right to safe health care — protecting their bodies, surviving pregnancy and giving their children a healthier start in life.
How does Plan’s work towards improving maternal and child health promote gender equality?
- We support adolescent girls and women to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence to adopt good health practices. We also support them to use, demand and have a say in how services are run.
- We encourage men to actively support the health and wellbeing of their children and female partners.
- We train health workers and improve regulations and infrastructure so health services meet the specific needs of girls and young women in a way that respects their dignity, rights and decision-making.
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