Commentary : investing in the poorest girls in the poorest communities early enough to make a difference

Date

2015

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Routledge

Abstract

Through targeted approaches to adolescent girl programming in over 20 countries, prioritising neglected and exceptionally at-risk adolescent girls, currently over 35,000 girls are in Population Council randomised controlled trials and over 500,000 have participated in closely tracked longitudinal programmes. The scaling strategy functions at two levels – creation of permanent girl spaces and substantially increasing girls’ demand for and access to underutilised services and facilities such as schools, playing fields, banking and health services. For example, while contraceptive prevalence among adolescent married girls is 35% in Amhara, Ethiopia, prevalence among those participating in clubs supported by the Population Council is typically 71–74%.

Description

Keywords

GIRLS, IMPOVERISHMENT, SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, ADOLESCENTS, HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES, SEXUAL THREATS, COMMUNITY HEALTH, GENDER DISCRIMINATION

Citation

Bruce, J. (2015). Commentary: Investing in the poorest girls in the poorest communities early enough to make a difference. Global Public Health, 10(2), 225-227. doi:10.1080/17441692.2014.986170

DOI