Adolescent girls' capabilities in Bangladesh: A synopsis of the evidence
This digest summarises what is known about adolescent girls鈥� capability development and the interventions to support them
Abstract
This digest brings together evidence from 2 GAGE rapid country reviews and summarises what is known about Bangladeshi adolescent girls鈥� capability development and the interventions meant to support them as they move toward adulthood. Touching on all six capability domains of GAGE鈥檚 conceptual framework 鈥� education and learning; bodily autonomy, integrity and freedom from violence; sexual and reproductive health, health and nutrition; psychosocial wellbeing; voice and agency; and economic empowerment 鈥� it concludes that despite a wealth of evidence, important gaps in our understanding remain. Specifically, we know too little about younger versus older adolescent girls and how to effect longer-term change.
That said, while gendered social norms and poverty continue to shape the lives of Bangladeshi adolescent girls 鈥� with most still married as children and few ultimately able to take on paid employment 鈥� there is evidence of slow generational change. Son preference is declining across decades and girls鈥� access to even secondary education is improving.
This digest is an output of the Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) programme.
Citation
Presler-Marshall, E. and Stavropoulou, M. (2017) Adolescent girls鈥� capabilities in Bangladesh: a synopsis of the evidence. London: Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence
Link
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