I KNOW. I WANT. I DREAM. - International Center for ...

I KNOW. I WANT. I DREAM.

GIRLS' INSIGHTS FOR BUILDING A BETTER WORLD

GIRL INSIGHTS REPORT

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) works to empower women, advance gender equality and fight poverty in the developing world. To accomplish this, ICRW works with partners in the public and private sectors and civil society to conduct empirical research, build capacity and advocate for evidence-based practical ways to change policies and programs.

2CV is a research agency that gives people a voice so they can influence the world around them. 2CV designs research to help change happen; using innovative, immersive methodologies, and sensitivity for people and cultures, to uncover inspiring truths. 2CV works with NGO, public and private organizations to explore opportunities for change.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

7

FOREWORD

9

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS

11

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

13

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

16

INTRODUCTION

16

BACKGROUND

A The Significance of Adolescence B Now is the Moment: Building Momentum for the Adolescent Girl Development Agenda

19

AMPLIFYING GIRLS' VOICES: THE GIRL DECLARATION

A Technical Working Group B Post-2015 Adolescent Girl Consultations

23

FINDINGS FROM POST-2015 ADOLESCENT GIRL CONSULTATIONS

A The Voices of Girls: Key Similarities B The Voices of Girls: Key Differences C Findings by Theme

GIRLS' IDENTITY

Legal Identity

Social Identity

Marriage

Implications Of Findings On Girls' Identity

GIRLS' ENVIRONMENTS

Social Support

Safety And Security

Local Environment

Implications Of Findings On Girls' Environments

GIRLS' ASSETS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Health

Girls' Emotions

Education

Jobs And Money

Implications Of Findings On Girls' Assets And Opportunities

66

CONCLUSION

68

ENDNOTES

GIRL INSIGHTS REPORT

FOREWORD

FOREWORD | 7

In 2009, ICRW published Girls Speak: A New Voice in Global Development as the fourth report of the Girls Count report series. This report synthesized girls' voices from around the world and argued that girls' insights are crucial to designing effective global development policies. The report called the world to action by:

I.

Listening to girls, learning about their aspirations and engaging them in decision-making processes.

II.

Involving families, teachers and traditional leaders as girl champions.

III.

Providing safe and inclusive community spaces where girls can develop and raise their voices.

IV.

Giving girls public platforms to amplify their voices.

V.

Changing social norms that stifle girls' voices.

Four years later, as the international community is poised to develop and implement the next global development agenda, we have built on these recommendations. Earlier this year, researchers supported by the Nike Foundation asked more than five hundred girls from fourteen countries to share their insights and perspectives with global decision-makers.

The girls were eager to share their ideas and opinions with the global community. Describing the greatest challenges and opportunities they face in their daily lives, and sharing their hopes and dreams, they articulated the changes that they want to see in their homes, schools, communities and societies. They reminded us that they are still not being heard, despite repeated promises from decision makers at all levels to listen and value their insights. And they explained the consequences of our failure to listen: girls are the future, and any policies that do not include them risk losing the potential they represent, making our work harder and moving success farther out of reach.

This report summarizes the voices of these five hundred girls, which we are issuing as a challenge for everyone to do more for the future women of this world. And to do it now.

Today, there are about six hundred million adolescent girls in the world: six hundred million lives, six hundred million dreams, six hundred million voices. Six hundred million chances to create a better world than the one we live in today.

Five hundred of these girls are speaking directly to us. Will we listen?

Sarah Kambou President International Center for Research on Women

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