Kenya Young Adolescents Gender Norms Study

Gender norms—socially constructed roles, behaviors, and attributes considered appropriate for men/boys and women/girls—are recognized as major drivers of health and wellbeing. Unequal gender norms are a major risk factor for poor health and socio-economic outcomes, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Gender norms are dynamic as practices and values differ from one context to another and over time. The socialization, exploration, and experimentation that take place in early adolescence, and continue as young people transition, play a critical role in shaping their life trajectories. Gender norms, attitudes and behaviors learned and internalized during early adolescence are likely to influence how girls and boys transition from adolescence into adulthood.

Harmful gender norms are likely to limit the opportunities available for girls and boys, increasing risks to poor health and socio-economic outcomes. However, early adolescence (defined as the period between 10 and 14 years) is also an opportune time for gender transformative interventions that can positively shape the life trajectories of very young adolescents if they learn and internalize positive behaviors and attitudes.

In response to the outlined gaps, this project will generate and strategically share evidence on key gender norms that influence behavior, health, and socio-economic outcomes for very young adolescents in Kenya. Specifically, the project will:

• Generate evidence on gendered norms and attitudes and their association with health and socio-economic outcomes among very young adolescents.
• Strategically share evidence with policy makers, program implementers, researchers and other relevant stakeholders to inform decision-making.
• Strengthen the capacities of researchers and partner institutions to produce and use evidence on very young adolescents.
• Strengthen partnerships and collaborations to enable the demand for and use of research on very young adolescents.

Project partners:

• Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
• National Council for Population and Development
• Division of Adolescent and School Health (Ministry of Health-Kenya)