Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, England manager Sarina Wiegman and Spice Girl Mel B are among supporters backing a campaign to protect girls’ rights. The initiative, Let Girls Learn, Let Girls Lead, is led by Plan International UK to mark International Day of the Girl and aims to show that progress toward gender equality is stalling and, in some places, reversing.

Plan International UK says 12 million girls are forced into marriage each year and 129 million remain out of school. The charity’s new research also finds that 23% of UK adults think progress on gender equality is bad for men, and 32% of Gen Z men aged 18-24 believe a return to traditional gender roles would be positive for society.

Wiegman, who guided the Lionesses to victory at this summer’s Women’s Euros, said: ‘As a coach, I’ve seen the power that comes when girls and young women are given the chance to reach their full potential. But right now, too many girls across the world are being held back and denied equal opportunities. Only by standing together can we ensure that every girl has the chance to thrive.’ The designs accompanying the campaign feature Clinton’s reworked speech, now reading ‘Girls’ rights are human rights too’, and Wiegman’s poster with the slogan ‘Girls rise, we all rise’. Froggatt, Paloma and Skin also contributed posters, while Rose Caldwell, chief executive of Plan International UK, said the project sends a clear message that progress on gender equality must not slip backwards.