Family, Life Course, and Society Commons^™

Faith Leaders’ Guide To Adolescent Protection, Population Council, Zambia Interfaith Networking Group (Zingo), Faith Mother Bodies

Adolescents and Young People

No abstract provided.

Accelerating Adolescent Girls’ Education In West And Central Africa, Mame Soukeye Mbaye, Sarah Engebretsen, Maty Dia, Karen Austrian

Adolescents and Young People

This brief summarizes the evidence on gender inequality in education in West and Central Africa (WCA), particularly the GIRL Center’s priority countries. It explores attendance, progression, transition to secondary, and re-entry. This brief informs strategies that address persistent inequalities and promote transformative outcomes for adolescent girls in the region.

Transforming Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights For Adolescent Girls In West And Central Africa, Mame Soukeye Mbaye, Sarah Engebretsen, Maty Dia, Karen Austrian

Adolescents and Young People

This brief summarizes the evidence on adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in West and Central Africa (WCA), particularly evidence from the GIRL Center’s priority countries. It explores social norms and structural barriers to adolescent girls’ SRHR, pregnancy, harmful practices, unmet need for contraception, service gaps, SRHR in conflict settings, and legal and policy barriers. The brief informs strategies and promising entry points that have the potential to transform SRHR outcomes for girls in the region.

Testing The Effectiveness Of Integrating Family Planning Information And Counselling Services In Food Distribution Programmes In Refugee Settings In Ethiopia, Yohannes Dibaba Wado, Bonnie Wandera, Yadeta Bacha, Francis Obare, George Odwe, Dagim Habteyesus, Peter Kisaakye, Stephen Kizito, Stella Muthuri, Gloria Seruwagi, Hellen Akinyi, M. Alemayehu, M. Girma, M. Enjamo, Caroline W. Kabiru, Chi-Chi Undie

Humanitarian Task Force

Humanitarian crises expose women and girls to heightened risk of unintended pregnancy due to increased risk of sexual violence as well as disruption in access to and provision of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. Unintended pregnancies in turn result in unplanned births and, in contexts with restrictive abortion laws, maternal morbidity and mortality due to unsafe abortion or miscarriage. This makes innovative, evidence-informed solutions to address unintended pregnancy that take into account the unique circumstances of women and girls in humanitarian settings critical. Evidence-informed solutions should consider how best to reach women and girls with SRHR services …

The Power Of Asking: A Feasibility Assessment Of Incentive Social Worker-Led Screening For Sexual Violence Against Children In Humanitarian Settings In Ethiopia, Yadeta Dessie, Abir Nur, Dagim Habteyesus, Bonnie Wandera, Gloria Seruwagi, George Odwe, Peter Kisaakye, Francis Obare, Et Al.

Humanitarian Task Force

Sexual violence against children (SVAC) is an acknowledged concern in humanitarian contexts. In response to recent findings on the prevalence of SVAC in refugee camps in Ethiopia, coupled with low levels of disclosure and service-seeking by child/adolescent survivors, the Baobab Research Programme Consortium collaborated with humanitarian stakeholders in Ethiopia to establish mechanisms for promoting sexual violence disclosure and service uptake among young survivors in refugee settings.

This study employed a mixed-methods concurrent triangulation study design (involving a combination of service statistics, group interviews, and fieldnotes) for evaluating the feasibility of the aforementioned intervention, which specifically entailed sexual violence screening (of …

Acceptability, Feasibility And Effectiveness Of Integrating Family Planning Information And Services In Food Distribution Programmes In Refugee Settings In Uganda, Francis Obare, George Odwe, Peter Kisaakye, Stephen Kizito, Yohannes Dibaba Wado, Bonnie Wandera, Stella Muthuri, Gloria Seruwagi, R. Nannungi, S. Achiro, A.C. P'Moru, A. Tezita, Prosmolly Ayebale, R. Rwotman, Jane Harriet Namwebya, R. Nyakoojo, Chi-Chi Undie

Humanitarian Task Force

Humanitarian crises expose women and girls to heightened risk of unintended pregnancy due to increased risk of sexual violence as well as disruption in access to and provision of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. Unintended pregnancies in turn result in unplanned births and in contexts with restrictive abortion laws, maternal morbidity and mortality due to unsafe abortion or miscarriage. This makes innovative solutions to address unintended pregnancy that are informed by evidence and that take into account the unique circumstances of women and girls in humanitarian settings critical. Evidence-informed solutions should, for instance, consider how best to …

Evaluation Of Community-Based Interventions Addressing Social Attitudes And Behavioural Intentions Related To Female Genital Mutilation In Somaliland, Francis Obare, Dennis Matanda, Stephen Kizito, Chi-Chi Undie

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

This study aimed to assess changes in social attitudes/beliefs and behavioural intentions related to FGM and gender as a result of community-directed interventions to accelerate positive changes in social attitudes towards ending the practice. The study was conducted in the context of The Girl Generation support to – Africa-Led Movement (TGG-ALM) programme implementation in Somaliland using public opinion poll and vignettes. Key intervention activities implemented by TGG-ALM included conducting community intergenerational dialogues and small grants for community-based organizations to implement interventions at the community level.

Endline Evaluation Of Community-Based Interventions Addressing Social Attitudes And Behavioural Intentions Related To Female Genital Mutilation In Isiolo And Narok Counties, Kenya, Dennis Matanda, Francis Obare, Robert Omondi, Stephen Kizito, Stella Muthuri, Chi-Chi Undie

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

The Girl Generation: Support to the Africa-Led Movement (TGG-ALM) programme works to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by shifting social attitudes/beliefs and behavioral intentions related to FGM and the gender ideologies that sustain its continued practice through interventions implemented at the community level. This study aimed to assess such shifts in the context of TGG-ALM intervention sites in Kenya, while also tracking the diffusion of the intervention beyond intervention sites. Key intervention activities implemented by TGG-ALM included conducting community intergenerational dialogues in both Isiolo and Narok counties, women-only reflect circles in Isiolo and couples-only/homestead dialogues in Narok.

Girl Center Special Feature: 2025 Impact Report, Population Council

Adolescents and Young People

This report highlights the impact, research, publications, events, and activities that the GIRL Center accomplished in 2025.

What Do Young Feminists In Kenya Need To Thrive?, Chantalle Okondo, John Malkia, Ivy Kutswa, Ruth Juliet, Sar Kagendo, Stacie Akinyi, Gladys Jerop, Juma Damaris, Terry Owino, Jerry Okal

Adolescents and Young People

The Nawiri Project used a core Participatory Action Research Evaluation (PARe) approach to explore the landscape of young feminist organizing/organizations (YFOs) in Kenya and Mexico. The project aimed to synthesize evidence on YFOs’ context, impact, and strengths. In Kenya, the core PARe team included nine young feminists and seven Feminist Advisory Panel (FAP) members, who collaborated with Population Council, Kenya from the project’s inception to dissemination. To define and measure impact, the team conducted five case studies with YFO leadership, nine focus group discussions with YFO beneficiaries, 31 key informant interviews with current and previous partners, and cost and benefit …

Sustainability And Funding Of Young Feminist Organizing/Organization In Kenya, Chantalle Okondo, John Malkia, Ivy Kutswa, Ruth Juliet, Sar Kagendo, Stacie Akinyi, Gladys Jerop, Juma Damaris, Terry Owino, Jerry Okal

Adolescents and Young People

The Nawiri Project used a core Participatory Action Research Evaluation (PARe) approach to explore the landscape of young feminist organizing/organizations (YFOs) in Kenya and Mexico. The project aimed to synthesize evidence on YFOs’ context, impact, and strengths. In Kenya, the core PARe team included nine young feminists and seven Feminist Advisory Panel (FAP) members, who collaborated with Population Council, Kenya from the project’s inception to dissemination. To define and measure impact, the team conducted five case studies with YFO leadership, nine focus group discussions with YFO beneficiaries, 31 key informant interviews with current and previous partners, and cost and benefit …

Understanding Impact Among Young Feminist Organizing/Organizations In Kenya, Chantalle Okondo, John Malkia, Ivy Kutswa, Ruth Juliet, Sar Kagendo, Stacie Akinyi, Terry Owino, Jerry Okal

Adolescents and Young People

The Nawiri Project used a core Participatory Action Research Evaluation (PARe) approach to explore the landscape of young feminist organizing/organizations (YFOs) in Kenya and Mexico. The project aimed to synthesize evidence on YFOs’ context, impact, and strengths. In Kenya, the core PARe team included nine young feminists and seven Feminist Advisory Panel (FAP) members, who collaborated with Population Council–Kenya from the project’s inception to dissemination. To define and measure impact, the team conducted five case studies with YFO leadership, nine focus group discussions with YFO beneficiaries, 31 key informant interviews with current and previous partners, and cost and benefit analysis …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Le Rôle Des Leaders De Groupes Dans Les Espaces Sûrs Et Les Clubs Des Maris/Futurs Maris, Population Council, Equimundo, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

Série SWEDD: Guide de Bonnes Pratiques no. 6

Ce Guide fait partie d’une série qui documente d’une manière rétrospective le processus de mise en œuvre des interventions du projet SWEDD, et décrit les bonnes pratiques, les défis et les leçons apprises. Le projet “Autonomisation des Femmes et Dividende Démographique au Sahel” (SWEDD) a été lancé en novembre 2015 avec le soutien financier de la Banque mondiale, et l’appui technique du Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population (UNFPA) et de l’Organisation Ouest -Africaine pour la Santé (OOAS). Les recherches menant à ce Guide ont été dirigées par le Population …

Le Soutien À La Scolarisation Des Filles Et Leur Maintien À L’École, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

Série SWEDD: Guide de Bonnes Pratiques no. 2

Ce Guide fait partie d’une série qui documente d’une manière rétrospective le processus de mise en œuvre des interventions du projet SWEDD, et décrit les bonnes pratiques, les défis et les leçons apprises. Le projet “Autonomisation des Femmes et Dividende Démographique au Sahel” (SWEDD) a été lancé en novembre 2015 avec le soutien financier de la Banque mondiale, et l’appui technique du Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population (UNFPA) et de l’Organisation Ouest -Africaine pour la Santé (OOAS). Les recherches menant à ce Guide ont été dirigées par le Population …

Support For Girls’ Education And Keeping Them In School, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

SWEDD Series: Best Practice Guide no. 2

This Guide is one of a series that retrospectively documents the process of implementing the interventions of the SWEDD project, and documents good practices, challenges and lessons learned. The “Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend” (SWEDD) project was launched in November 2015 with financial support from the World Bank, and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The research informing this Guide was led by the Population Council.

Curriculum Development For Safe Spaces, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

SWEDD Series: Best Practice Guide no. 3

This Guide is one of a series that retrospectively documents the process of implementing the interventions of the SWEDD project, and documents good practices, challenges and lessons learned. The “Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend” (SWEDD) project was launched in November 2015 with financial support from the World Bank, and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The research informing this Guide was led by the Population Council.

Le Développement Curriculaire Pour Les Espaces Sûrs, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

Série SWEDD: Guide de Bonnes Pratiques no. 3

Ce Guide fait partie d’une série qui documente d’une manière rétrospective le processus de mise en œuvre des interventions du projet SWEDD, et décrit les bonnes pratiques, les défis et les leçons apprises. Le projet “Autonomisation des Femmes et Dividende Démographique au Sahel” (SWEDD) a été lancé en novembre 2015 avec le soutien financier de la Banque mondiale, et l’appui technique du Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population (UNFPA) et de l’Organisation Ouest -Africaine pour la Santé (OOAS). Les recherches menant à ce Guide ont été dirigées par le Population …

Safe Spaces, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

SWEDD Series: Best Practice Guide no. 4

This Guide is one of a series that retrospectively documents the process of implementing the interventions of the SWEDD project, and documents good practices, challenges and lessons learned. The “Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend” (SWEDD) project was launched in November 2015 with financial support from the World Bank, and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The research informing this Guide was led by the Population Council.

Les Espaces Sûrs, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

Série SWEDD: Guide de Bonnes Pratiques no. 4

Ce Guide fait partie d’une série qui documente d’une manière rétrospective le processus de mise en œuvre des interventions du projet SWEDD, et décrit les bonnes pratiques, les défis et les leçons apprises. Le projet “Autonomisation des Femmes et Dividende Démographique au Sahel” (SWEDD) a été lancé en novembre 2015 avec le soutien financier de la Banque mondiale, et l’appui technique du Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population (UNFPA) et de l’Organisation Ouest -Africaine pour la Santé (OOAS). Les recherches menant à ce Guide ont été dirigées par le Population …

The Role Of Group Leaders In Safe Spaces And Clubs For Husbands/Future Husbands, Population Council, Equimundo, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

SWEDD Series: Best Practice Guide no. 6

This Guide is one of a series that retrospectively documents the process of implementing the interventions of the SWEDD project, and documents good practices, challenges and lessons learned. The “Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend” (SWEDD) project was launched in November 2015 with financial support from the World Bank, and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The research informing this Guide was led by the Population Council and Equimundo.

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.

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

Adolescents and Young People

No abstract provided.

The Prevalence Of Domestic Servitude Among Child Domestic Workers In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Research Findings, Annabel Erulkar, Lemi Negeri, Eyasu Hailu

Adolescents and Young People

It is estimated that there are 17.2 million child domestic workers globally, most of whom are girls. Research related to this marginalized group is limited, with most at a small scale or subsumed in other topics, such as domestic workers generally. The dearth of evidence limits awareness about girls in such circumstances and inhibits the design and implementation of context-appropriate policy and program responses. This mixed-method study is one of the few large-scale studies to examine child domestic work, including its prevalence, the entry and experience of girls in this work, and levels of human trafficking, hazardous work, and illegal …

The Role Of Agents And Brokers In Facilitating Ethiopian Women Into Domestic Work In The Middle East: Findings From The Meneshachin (‘Our Departure’) Study On Responsible Recruitment Models, Joanna Busza, Zewdneh Sabe, Cathy Zimmerman

Gender Equality and Equity

Large numbers of Ethiopian women seek domestic work in the Middle East Corridor—a significant social trend that reflects a key livelihood strategy used by Ethiopian families and communities in the face of widespread poverty. Research related to this type of migration is extensive, but mainly concentrated on the “push” and “pull” factors and the potential risks of labor exploitation, trafficking, and resultant threats to migrants’ physical, mental, and sexual health. The research presented here represents one of the few studies examining how women plan their migration experiences, whom they rely on for emotional, economic, or practical assistance, and what roles …

Girls On The Map: Mapping For Program Planning And Social Change, Eva Roca

Adolescents and Young People

This guide explores ways in which maps can add depth to the learning process as practitioners design programs for girls. Mapping leads practitioners through a cycle of information collection and analysis. It supports decision-making about where, with whom, and when to work, and how programs can make a real difference in girls’ lives. Programs increasingly recognize the importance of household and community characteristics in shaping girls’ lives, yet it is relatively less common to measure or map community features as part of program planning. Mapping relevant populations of girls and the features of the communities they live in can inform …

Gendered Effects Of Covid-19 School Closures: Pakistan Case Study, Iram Kamran, Tahira Parveen, Rehan M. Niazi, Maqsood Sadiq, Fatima Azeem, Emily Eunyoung Cho, Karen Austrian

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This brief summarizes a case study conducted to assess the gendered impacts of COVID-19 school closures on adolescent girls and boys in three districts in the province of Punjab in Pakistan. Data as well as discussions and interviews with adolescents, teachers, and parents shed light on difficulties in accessing and adjusting to remote learning, learning loss, deterioration of behaviors and health, and other effects. Based on these findings and further reflections by stakeholders on the successes and gaps of mitigation measures, the case study proposes recommendations for improved teacher training, digital access, alternative learning options, and a gendered focus in …

Gendered Effects Of Covid-19 School Closures: Bangladesh Case Study, Eashita Haque, Natalie Wyss, Emily Eunyoung Cho, Karen Austrian

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This brief summarizes a recent study on the impacts of COVID-19 school closures in rural communities in Bangladesh. It clarifies issues of remote learning access, management, and monitoring, as well as new strains on students’ time use. It also reveals general impacts on mental and physical health, economic status, as well as gendered effects including child marriage. Based on evaluations of mitigation measures, recommendations for comprehensive policies, provision of technical, financial, and social support, and improvements in education systems emerged.