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Power, Practice, And Potential: Social Protection And Adolescent Girls, Girl Center, Cash Transfer And Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv) Research Collaborative, Unicef

Adolescents and Young People

On March 12, 2024, the Population Council’s GIRL Center in collaboration with UNICEF and the Cash Transfer and IPV Research Collaborative, cohosted an event on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW68). The event brought together practitioners, researchers, adolescent girls, and representatives of governments and bilateral and multilateral organizations. Evidence on the impact of social protection and cash plus programs was highlighted. A panel of experts shared perspectives on evidence and critical actions needed to empower adolescent girls through cash plus social protection programs. This short report provides a summary of …

Data-To-Action Workshop Report: Uganda Humanitarian Violence Against Children And Youth Survey (Hvacs), 2022, Chi-Chi Undie, Stella Muthuri, George Odwe, Gloria Seruwagi, Francis Obare Onyango, Peter Kisaakye, Stephen Kizito, Yohannes Dibaba Wado, Andres Villaveces, Michelle Hynes, Begona Fernandez, Constanza Ginestra, Darlson Kusasira, Charles Bafaki, Lydia Wasula, Katie Ogwang

Humanitarian Task Force

The Government of Uganda, civil society organisations, and international partners participated in a Data-to-Action (D2A) workshop in Kampala, Uganda, June 14–16, 2023. The workshop was co-convened by the Office of the Prime Minister’s Department of Refugees and the Baobab Research Programme Consortium, with support from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development; UNHCR; and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters staff. The Humanitarian Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (HVACS) D2A workshop supports countries in creating violence prevention priorities directly informed by HVACS data. These priorities are created by linking HVACS data to the suite of evidenced-based …

Uganda Humanitarian Violence Against Children And Youth Survey, 2022: Summary Report, Francis Obare Onyango, George Odwe, Peter Kisaakye, Stephen Kizito, Yohannes Dibaba Wado, Francis Annor, Laura Chiang, Greta Massetti, Stella Muthuri, Gloria Seruwagi, Darlson Kusasira, Charles Bafaki, Katie Ogwang, Chi-Chi Undie

Humanitarian Task Force

Violence Against Children (VAC) refers to all forms of abuse or maltreatment of people under the age of 18 years. The Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS), led by national governments with technical assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of the Together for Girls partnership, have documented the magnitude and prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against children in more than 20 low- and middle-income countries, with a view to informing national prevention and response programs. Despite the precedent for understanding the extent of VAC from the perspectives of adolescents and …

Preparing The Ground To Influence Humanitarian Sector Policies, Guidelines, And Strategies In Uganda: Case Study Two, The Baobab Research Programme Consortium

Humanitarian Task Force

This case study describes the pathway by which the Baobab Research Programme Consortium's efforts have created a platform that is primed for influencing humanitarian sector policies, guidelines, and strategies with evidence and evidence-based approaches.

Influencing Programme Plans, Practices, Actions, And Investments In Humanitarian Settings: Case Study One, The Baobab Research Programme Consortium

Humanitarian Task Force

This case study describes the Baobab Research Programme Consortium's pathway to influencing programme plans, practices, actions, and investments in refugee contexts in Uganda, and the efforts which culminated in the collaborative piloting of a Para-Social Worker-driven intervention in Kiryandongo Settlement by Baobab and Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, with support from the Department of Refugees.

Adolescent Girls Initiative–Kenya: Testing For Scale—Recommendations Report, Karen Austrian, Eva Ireri Muluve, Ruth Nanjekho, John A. Maluccio, Erica Soler-Hampejsek

Adolescents and Young People

The Adolescent Girls Initiative-Kenya, a randomized trial implemented between 2015 and 2021, was designed to test the short- and longer-term effects of two-year multisectoral and multilevel “cash plus” programs for adolescent girls aged 11–14 years. It was implemented in two marginalized areas of Kenya: Kibera, an urban informal settlement in Nairobi, and Wajir, a pastoralist rural county. Results showed that a multisectoral approach was an effective way to create positive change across a range of well-being factors for young adolescent girls, including education, health, and economic outcomes. The program had long-term sustainable effects. Throughout the testing for scale phase, PC-Kenya …

Cementing Key Partnerships To Foster The Use Of Evidence In Humanitarian Settings: Baobab Case Study Three, The Baobab Research Programme Consortium

Humanitarian Task Force

The Population Council leads the Baobab Research Programme Consortium (RPC) in partnership with Population Council–Kenya and the African Population and Health Research Center. Situated in the East and Horn of Africa (EHA), this Africa-based and African-led consortium focuses on filling critical evidence gaps to reduce inequities in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SHRH) among vulnerable populations in humanitarian settings. Baobab produces policy and program-relevant evidence to address critical SHRH concerns among vulnerable refugee populations in the EHA region. Baobab’s approach to developing partnerships includes a commitment to connection and complementarity; building trust and listening to partners; maintaining respect, patience, …

Girls Deliver Workshop On The Sidelines Of Csw68, Population Council

Girl Innovation, Research, and Learning (GIRL) Center

No abstract provided.

Power, Practice And Potential: Social Protection And Adolescent Girls—Slide Deck, Girl Center, Cash Transfer And Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv) Research Collaborative, Unicef

Adolescents and Young People

Slide deck for event on the sidelines of CSW68, held on 12 March 2024.

Combatting Human Trafficking Of People With Disabilities For Begging In Ethiopia, Population Council

Humanitarian Task Force

Population Council researchers and partners, ECDD and ELDA, are conducting a 4-year project to understand the patterns, practices and forms of begging in Ethiopia and to utilize the evidence to develop evidence-based interventions that prevent and protect those at risk of, and prosecute those perpetuating, forced begging of persons with disabilities.

The Promise Of Vaginal Rings: From The Global Leader In Vaginal Ring Development And Implementation, Population Council

Center for Biomedical Research (CBR)

The Population Council is the global leader in vaginal ring development, with more vaginal rings in our product pipeline than any other organization. Our rings are designed for contraception, prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and multipurpose prevention combinations. They contain a variety of active pharmaceutical ingredients, including hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives, as well as antiretroviral (ARV) and non-ARV compounds for HIV prevention.

Soft Skills Training For Rohingya And Host Community Youth In Cox’S Bazar, Bangladesh, Md. Noorunnabi Talukder, Abdullah Al Mahmud Shohag, Ishtiak Morshed, Sigma Ainul, Md. Irfan Hossain, Mohammad Muktadir Hossain, Sharif M.I. Hossain, Ubaidur Rob

Adolescents and Young People

The Population Council, in collaboration with Research, Training and Management International (RTMI) and Underprivileged Children’s Education Program (UCEP), pilot tested a soft skills training intervention in two Rohingya camps and a vocational training center in the host community in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh in 2022. As a follow-up to the pilot program, the Council along with its partners rolled out soft skills training in four Rohingya camps and a vocational training center in the host community in 2023. The purpose of this training was to improve the personal, social, and financial management skills of Rohingya youth, which would be of use …

Selam Medirashachin (Safe Arrival) Project: Addressing The Risk Of Trafficking, Violence, And Sexual Abuse Among Newly Arriving Migrant Girls In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Annabel Erulkar, Eyasu Hailu

Adolescents and Young People

Rates of urbanization in Ethiopia are significant and, increasingly, young females are among those who migrate from rural to urban areas. Previous research in Addis Ababa showed that, compared to boys and young men, young female migrants are more likely to migrate to cities without the accompaniment of immediate family members. and often move in with people with whom they have only loose affiliation or live on their own. Previous Population Council research on the experience of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) revealed that girls’ migration from rural to urban areas of the country may be perilous. This is …

Processes, Experiences, And Impact: A Summary Report On Community-Led Humanitarian Violence Against Children And Youth Survey (Hvacs) Results Dissemination In Uganda, Gloria Seruwagi, Peter Kisaakye, Stella Muthuri, George Odwe, Francis Obare Onyango, Yohannes Dibaba Wado, Dagim Habteyesus, Chi-Chi Undie

Humanitarian Task Force

The Uganda Humanitarian Violence Against Children Survey (HVACS), completed in 2022 in refugee settlements in Uganda, was the first of the Baobab Research Programme Consortium’s (RPC’s) series of studies to be implemented. As a landmark study, and the first-ever HVACS, it provided critical insights into the state of Violence Against Children (VAC) in refugee settlements in Uganda. Baobab conducted a collaborative radio dissemination activity in Uganda that was designed to take place during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) commemorated between 25 November and 10 December 2023, aligning with the global theme “Invest to prevent violence against …

Exploring The Value And Replicability Of Integrating Refugees And Host Community Members Into Research Activities In Refugee Settings, Stella Muthuri, Dagim Habteyesus, Gloria Seruwagi, Yohannes Dibaba Wado, George Odwe, Peter Kisaakye, Francis Obare Onyango, Chi-Chi Undie

Humanitarian Task Force

The Population Council leads the Baobab Research Program Consortium (RPC) in partnership with Population Council-Kenya and the African Population and Health Research Center. One of the successes of the RPC has been its intentional engagement of refugees and host community members in various aspects of its research and intervention implementation activities, including community entry and engagement, training workshops, and data collection. The Baobab RPC’s 2022–23 annual review included a recommendation to review the experience of including refugees and host community members in data collection training workshops, and to assess the value and viability of replicating this approach. While the approach …

Understanding The Education Profiles Of Seven East And Southern African Countries, Girl Center

Adolescents and Young People

Despite significant progress in improving primary enrollment and attainment for girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in recent years, gender disparities in education persist and hinder opportunities for girls. Educational attainment for girls has plateaued in numerous countries, with only a few making significant strides in narrowing the gender gap. Moreover, attainment alone does not always translate to improved learning. Gender-related barriers such as school environments that are not conducive to learning and the experience of violence, early and forced marriage, and early childbearing, as well as a lack of support for girls’ education impede attainment and learning. The …

Understanding The Education Profiles Of Eight Latin American Countries, Girl Center

Adolescents and Young People

Despite significant progress in improving primary enrollment and attainment for girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in recent years, gender disparities in education persist and hinder opportunities for girls. Educational attainment for girls has plateaued in numerous countries, with only a few making significant strides in narrowing the gender gap. Moreover, attainment alone does not always translate to improved learning. Gender-related barriers such as school environments that are not conducive to learning and the experience of violence, early and forced marriage, and early childbearing, as well as a lack of support for girls’ education impede attainment and learning. The …

Mentoring In Group-Based Adolescent Girl Programs In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: Evidence-Informed Approaches, Miriam Temin, Sarah Blake, Eva Roca

Adolescents and Young People

Adolescent girls face distinct challenges that require tailored and girl-centered responses. This brief draws on the knowledge of program implementers and researchers who work on community-based girl group (CBGG) programs (often called “safe spaces”) in various low- and middle-income settings and the US. It summarizes emerging lessons and insights on CBGGs, emphasizing the vital role that mentors play in this group-based model. The evidence emphasizes the importance of providing mentors with training, supervision, compensation, solidarity, and opportunities to build their own networks.

The Radical Power Of Education, Arindam Nandi, Nicole Haberland, Thoai Ngo

Gender, Education, Justice, and Equity (GEJE)

When education works, people thrive and societies flourish alongside economies. We have made real progress on primary enrollment on the global scale, with 90% of children enrolling in school. However, completion rates lag far behind—only 77% of children complete lower secondary school and 58% complete upper secondary. Those numbers decline sharply for those living in poverty, for girls, and for Indigenous communities, with 44% of adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) either dropping out of primary school or never attending at all.

Low educational attainment and illiteracy exclude children from the freedoms that come with learning and also …

The Radical Power Of Education—Brief, Arindam Nandi, Nicole Haberland, Thoai Ngo

Gender, Education, Justice, and Equity (GEJE)

This research brief summarizes the findings of GEJE’s recent report on the impact of education across society.

Trends In Female Genital Mutilation In Kenya: Insights From Further Analysis Of The Kenya Demographic And Health Surveys, 2003–2022, Dennis Matanda, Francis Obare, Samuel Kimani, Stella Muthuri, Chi-Chi Undie

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

Highlights and recommendations:

• From 2003 to 2022, Kenya has experienced a commendable reduction in FGM prevalence among women aged 15–49 years at the national level. However, this progress is not uniform: regional disparities exist, with counties such as Mandera, Wajir, Samburu, and Isiolo consistently posting high FGM prevalence across the years.
• FGM prevalence has remained stubbornly high among women with no education, women in the poorest households, women of the Islamic faith and those from the Somali ethnic group.
• There is a concerning trend indicating a shift to younger ages at which FGM is performed, particularly with an observed increase …

Revitalizing And Expanding Commitment To Family Planning: Summary Of The Fp2030 Anglophone Africa Workshop, June 2023, Zoe Nakuya

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

In June 2023, Population Council, Kenya was a delegate at the first FP2030 Anglophone Africa Focal Point workshop in Kampala, Uganda, which was convened by the FP2030 East and Southern Africa Hub. The theme of the workshop was to call on partners and country family planning (FP) focal points to review and strengthen their country’s commitments toward achieving their FP2030 goals of expanding access and uptake of FP across the region. This brief summarizes the workshop and its outcomes.

How Climate Change Is Shaping Young People’S Livelihoods And Educational Opportunities, Population Council, Women Deliver

Adolescents and Young People

The climate crisis is threatening global access to education and the creation of livelihood and/or economic opportunities for adolescents and young people (AYP). Climate change prevents more than 12.5 million girls from completing their education each year, and this is projected to increase. The Population Council and Women Deliver conducted participatory, AYP co-led focus group discussions in three countries (Bangladesh, Guatemala, and Nigeria). In each country, a participant in the Women Deliver Young Leaders program teamed up with Council researchers to talk to AYP (ages 12–25 years) about how climate change is affecting their lives, from health to education to …

The Health Effects Of Climate Change: Experiences Of Young People In Bangladesh, Guatemala, And Nigeria, Population Council, Women Deliver

Adolescents and Young People

Climate change is affecting the health and well-being of adolescents and young people (AYP) worldwide. This happens through direct exposure pathways but mainly indirectly, by influencing economic and food insecurity, access to health services, and harmful gender norms and social inequalities. According to a recent meta-analysis of 130 studies, climate change disproportionately harms the health of women and girls, especially younger generations. There are intergenerational inequities in exposure to climate extremes. A child born in 2020 will face an up to sevenfold increase in extreme climate events compared to one born in 1960. These events will have cascading harms and …

Best Practices To Prevent And Respond To Sexual Violence: Evidence Review And Programme Considerations, Sycona

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

Presentation for AGYW & South-to-South Learning Network Champions to fill a knowledge gap about what strategies have been tested and found effective in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to prevent and respond to sexual violence experienced by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). This topic was identified by East and Southern African Champions as a key impediment to their HIV prevention programming efforts. This review focused on evidence from all 15 South-to-South Learning Network (SSLN) countries to gather and synthesise contextually relevant information.

Patent: Combination Therapy Intravaginal Rings, Brid Devlin, Jonathon Holt, Andrew Brimer, Jeremy Nuttall, Karl Malcolm, Susan Fetherston, Peter Boyd

Formulation/Product Development

United States Patent 11,793,669 B2

Results From The Basmeh & Zeitooneh (B&Z) Intervention To Empower Adolescent Girls And Young Women At Risk Of Child Marriage And Poor Reproductive Health Among The Syrian Refugee Population In Lebanon, Rima Mourtada

Adolescents and Young People

This report presents results from the final evaluation of a social, health, and economic asset-building program implemented by the Lebanon-based non-governmental organization (NGO) Basmeh & Zeitooneh (B&Z) and aimed at reducing the social isolation of vulnerable adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 10–21 years old living in the Shatila and Burj al Barajneh refugee camps in South Beirut. The program sought to help girls gain the skills and knowledge they need to avoid child marriage and adolescent pregnancy and to make a healthy transition to adulthood despite the numerous challenges they face. The program focused on two sub-populations of …

Research Snapshot: Impacts Of Cash-Plus Programs On Child Marriage, Elrha R2hc Programme

Adolescents and Young People

A cluster randomised controlled trial in Wajir County, Kenya demonstrates that multisectoral cash-plus interventions can significantly reduce the incidence of adolescent childbearing and marriage.

Exploring The Role Of Men In Child Marriage Decision-Making In Rural Upper Egypt, Salma Abou Hussein, Reham Abou El-Fadl, Sally Radwan, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab

Adolescents and Young People

Egypt’s 2021 Family Health Survey indicated that nearly 18% of women aged 20–24 years had married or were engaged before turning 18. This brief explores the perspectives of adolescent girls, their families, and key stakeholders on the role of men in the decision-making process pertaining to child marriage. The study took place in Assiut and Sohag in Upper Egypt selected on the basis of the high prevalence of child marriage. Results confirm that, in line with the patriarchal norms that underlie most marriage decisions in rural Upper Egypt, fathers/male guardians are the primary decision-makers regarding when a girl gets married …

Menstruation And Adolescent Girls' Daily Lives In Rural Upper Egypt, Salma Abou Hussein, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab

Adolescents and Young People

The Population Council conducted a qualitative study to understand the menstruation-related attitudes, practices, and perceptions that shape adolescent girls’ daily routines in rural upper Egypt communities, specifically Assiut and Sohag. The study relied on in-depth interviews with unmarried adolescent girls aged 13–16; focus group discussions with girls aged 13–16, mothers, fathers, and male siblings of adolescent girls; and key informant interviews with schoolteachers, doctors/nurses, pharmacists, and community leaders. “Period poverty” (lack of access to, or inability to afford period supplies) can be detected among adolescent girls in rural Assiut and Sohag. Lack of information and emotional and practical support before …