Organizations involved
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Save the Children, and Georgetown University’s Institute for Reproductive Health
Summary
This is the first international study (Phase 2 2016-2021) focused on gender norms and health among adolescents 10 to 14 years of age. The study is being conducted in North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. The study hopes to inform intervention and prevention of those beliefs and behaviours that compromise the sexual health of young people. A mixed methods approach is being used to develop, test, and validate instruments assessing gender norms and healthy sexuality, as well as their influence on adolescents’ interpersonal relationships, mental health, violence, and sexual and reproductive health. Growing Up GREAT! is specifically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and applies an ecological perspective to encourage reflection and dialogue through community group engagement to build more equitable gender norms that support adolescent development and well-being.
Social norms of interest
Sexual norms, sexuality, bodily pride, education, gender norms
Behaviours of interest
Sexual behaviours, gender-based violence (GBV), use of health services, increased family planning
Project components
Growing Up GREAT! uses age-tailored, gender-transformative materials exploring SRH, GBV, and gender equality. It uses an ecological model that addresses all spheres of influence (individual, family, school, community). Growing up GREAT! targets four audiences and encourages reflection and dialogue through community group engagement to build more equitable gender norms that support adolescent development and well-being
Social norms measurement
Vignettes, narratives, scales, surveys, IDI, FGD
Key findings to date
As children enter adolescence, parents perceive girls to have greater sexual health risks and less freedom, whereas parents believe boys to be at greater risk for substance abuse and violence. A lack of communication, peer influence, and household violence enforce traditional norms.
Tools
