Adolescent, caregiver, and community experiences with a gender transformative, social emotional learning intervention (2021)

Social-emotional mindsets and skills, Experiential learning Community involvement,
Positive change towards gender equity.

Location: Tanzania

Reference citation: Cherewick et al. (2021)

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Study Summary

The study titled “Adolescent, caregiver, and community experiences with a gender transformative social-emotional learning intervention” by Megan Cherewick (2021) aimed to evaluate the impact of a gender transformative social-emotional learning intervention for very young adolescents (VYAs) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Objectives:

• To assess the effect of an intervention that includes experiential learning with peers, parents/caregivers, and community members.
• To support or hinder more equitable gender norms, beliefs, and behaviors during early adolescence.

Methodology:

• The study involved 279 participants and used qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews with VYAs, focus groups, interviews with parents/caregivers, and participant observations.
• A grounded theory approach was employed to identify emergent themes.

Main Findings:

• Participants experienced growth in social-emotional mindsets and skills.
• There was a reported shift in gender norms, beliefs, and behaviors.
• Experiential learning in mixed-gender teams allowed active practice and reflection on these norms.
• Positive changes were observed within the home, community, and among siblings and peers.

Key Takeaways:

• The intervention was effective in transforming gender norms during a critical developmental stage.
• The involvement of peers, parents/caregivers, and community members supported the learning process.

Significance:

• The study highlights the importance of including gender-transformative content paired with social-emotional experiential learning in adolescent programming.
• It suggests that such interventions can stimulate positive change in gender norms and behaviors to promote gender equity.

This research underscores the potential for educational interventions to foster more equitable societies by addressing gender norms from an early age.

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