Peer-reviewed article
<p><span>Scoping Review to Characterise the Evidence on Safe Spaces Interventions for Reducing Child Marriage and Adolescent Pregnancy and Improving Educational Outcomes Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Africa</span></p>
Mandy Phuti, Pertina Nyamukondiwa, Silinganisiwe Padline Dzumbunu, Zea Leon, Vuyolwetu Tibini et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This scoping review maps the evidence on Safe Spaces interventions, which are mentor-led regular group meetings in a designated place for adolescent girls and young women in Africa. It included 38 intervention studies (from 51 publications) across 19 African countries that reported child marriage, adolescent pregnancy or school enrolment outcomes. Most interventions had several components, such as life skills and financial literacy training, enabling environment activities, financial support and economic empowerment. The studies differed widely in design, delivery and outcomes measured. The authors conclude that the evidence base is large but highly heterogeneous.
Key points
- 38 intervention studies (51 publications) were included, conducted across 19 African countries.
- Almost half of the studies (47%) evaluated three or more intervention arms.
- The most common components were life skills and financial literacy training (37 studies), enabling environment activities (22), financial support (20) and economic empowerment (18).
- Most studies focused on girls aged 15-19 years.
- Most studies did not report findings split by age group, such as younger versus older adolescents.
Limitations
The abstract gives no findings on whether Safe Spaces reduce child marriage or adolescent pregnancy or improve school enrolment, as it describes the studies rather than assessing effectiveness. The specific countries are not named, and the heterogeneity of the studies limits comparison.
Abstract
Background. Safe Spaces interventions are mentor-led regular group meetings facilitated in a designated space or location, widely used across Africa to support health and well-being of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). However, there is substantial variation in their intervention design, delivery, and outcomes. Methods. We conducted a scoping review of studies quantitatively reporting at least one of three outcomes of Safe Spaces interventions targeting AGYW aged 10-24 years in Africa: child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and school enrolment. Data were extracted on study characteristics, participant populations, intervention components, delivery approaches, and outcomes. Findings were synthesised descriptively using narrative summaries, tables, and figures. Findings. Thirty-eight intervention studies (from 51 publications) were included. Studies were conducted across 19 African countries. Interventions were predominantly multi-component, with almost half (47%) evaluating three or more intervention arms. Common intervention components included: life skills and financial literacy training (37 studies), enabling environment activities (22 studies), financial support (20 studies), and economic empowerment (18 studies). Most studies focused on 15-19-year-old adolescent girls. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in intervention design, delivery characteristics, and outcomes assessed, and most studies did not report age-disaggregated findings (e.g., younger versus older adolescents). Interpretation. The evidence base on Safe Spaces interventions in Africa is substantial and highly heterogeneous. Strengthening the comparability of research design, consistency of reporting, and increasing geographical spread remain important for advancing the evidence base on the usefulness and applicability of Safe Spaces interventions in policy and practice in Africa.