Publication: Combining Safe Spaces with Accompanying Measures: A Solution to Empower Adolescent Girls in Côte d’Ivoire
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Date
2024-12-16
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Published
2024-12-16
Author(s)
Boulhane, Othmane
Boxho, Claire
Cavagnero, Eleonora
Garcia-Meza, Alejandra Mia
Guerrero Horas, Olga
Kanga, Desiré
Karamoko, Djibrilla
Kouacou, Karine
Koussoubé, Estelle
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Abstract
This cluster-randomized trial in Côte d’Ivoire examined multi-sectoral approaches to improving adolescent girls’ empowerment (AGE). Safe spaces offering life skills and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education were assessed alone and combined with livelihood support, male engagement (husbands’ clubs), and community leader involvement. Pairing safe spaces with both husbands’ clubs and community leader engagement had the strongest impacts, improving SRH, economic participation, decision-making, and marriage and childbearing outcomes. Safe spaces alone showed limited effects beyond SRH. Findings highlight the importance of fostering community support for gender norm change and ensuring cohesive messaging and high-quality implementation. Multi-sectoral strategies outperform standalone interventions in advancing AGE across multiple domains.
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“Boulhane, Othmane; Boxho, Claire; Cavagnero, Eleonora; Garcia-Meza, Alejandra Mia; Guerrero Horas, Olga; Kanga, Desiré; Karamoko, Djibrilla; Kouacou, Karine; Koussoubé, Estelle; Lemiere, Christophe; Harrit, Margareta Norris; Rouanet, Léa; Traore, Adama; Van Damme, Jozefien. 2024. Combining Safe Spaces with Accompanying Measures: A Solution to Empower Adolescent Girls in Côte d’Ivoire. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/42540 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
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