Peer-reviewed article

Empowering Adolescent Girls in Developing Countries

· 1 Jan 2018

Summary

Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001

This book examines how discriminatory gender norms harm adolescent girls in Ethiopia, Nepal, Uganda and Viet Nam. Based on four years of in-depth research, it explores how patriarchal systems restrict girls' opportunities and can lead to exploitation and abuse. The book argues that changing gender norms toward greater equality can help disadvantaged girls develop their capabilities and contribute to societal change.

Key points

Discriminatory gender norms constrain girls' development and restrict their horizons, ambitions and safety
The research adopts a holistic approach recognising that educational, physical, psychosocial, familial, political and economic capabilities are inter-related
Patriarchal power structures maintain vested interests in authority and control over girls' lives
Efforts to develop more egalitarian gender norms can enable girls to change the course of their lives
Local context is important in understanding and addressing gendered socialisation processes

Limitations

This is a qualitative research synthesis and book rather than an intervention evaluation, so it cannot tell us the effectiveness of specific programmes or which approaches work best. The document does not provide quantitative outcome data or comparative results.

Abstract

The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.tandfebooks.com/doi/view/10.4324/9781315180250, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license Adolescence is a pivotal time in a girl's life. The development of educational, physical, psychosocial, familial, political and economic capabilities enable girls to reach their full potential and contribute to the wellbeing of their families and society. However, progress is still significantly constrained by discriminatory gender norms and the related attitudes and practices which restrict girls’ horizons, restrain their ambition and, if unfettered, allow exploitation and abuse. Empowering Adolescent Girls in Developing Countries explores the detrimental impact of discriminatory gender norms on adolescent girls’ lives across very different contexts. Grounded in four years of in-depth research in Ethiopia, Nepal, Uganda and Viet Nam, the book adopts a holistic approach, recognising the inter-related nature of capabilities and the importance of local context. By exploring the theory of gendered norm change, contextualising and examining socialisation processes, the book identifies the patriarchal vested interests in power, authority and moral privilege, which combine in attempts to restrict and control girls’ lives. Throughout the book, Empowering Adolescent Girls in Developing Countries demonstrates how efforts to develop more egalitarian gender norms can enable disadvantaged adolescent girls to change the course of their lives and contribute to societal change. Accessible and informative, the book is perfect for policy makers, think tanks, NGOs, activists, academics and students of gender and development studies.