Promoting behaviour change programs to address socio-emotional, mental and physical challenges in schools

 

Prevailing negative social norms and stigma around adolescent health, self-care and safety perpetuate harm that disproportionately affects girls’ schooling and learning trajectories. Puberty is a critical stage when social norms begin to shape adolescents and persist into adulthood, making it a critical time to intervene with rights-based frameworks that directly address gender, power, equity, inclusion and child protection.

Focusing on pastoralist communities and refugee camps in semi-desert regions in Kenya, this project aims to adapt a proven behaviour change innovation, the “NIA” program, tailoring it to local contexts. With a multisectoral approach focusing on girls' empowerment, teacher capacity and tool development, NIA’s education model utilizes puberty as an entry point to teach about gender, power, consent and rights, addressing socio-emotional, mental and physical challenges hindering gender equality for girls. The research will delve into the necessary adaptations and implementation processes allowing such content and results to be addressed effectively and with impact at the local level and scaled through local education systems.

This initiative is supported under the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Knowledge and Innovation Exchange, a joint endeavour between the GPE and IDRC to connect expertise, innovation and knowledge to help low- and middle-income countries build stronger education systems and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal on education.