A Girl can Dream : Analyzing Aspirations, Gender Norms, and Influencers Among Girls and Women in Madagascar

Overview & Synopsis

Girls and young women in Sub-Saharan Africa face multiple, inter-related barriers to fulfil their potential. They are more likely to live in poverty than men, have less access to education and health services, and rarely benefit from productive economic opportunities. Restrictive social norms exacerbate material constraints by defining what is considered acceptable of what girls and women can and cannot do. Policies and programs aimed at empowering girls and women can help break the cycle of poverty and support this population in achieving their dreams. However, does one know what Malagasy girls and women really want? To inform the design and implementation of gender equality interventions in Madagascar, this research asks girls and women (aged 15-35 years) in vulnerable populations about their dreams to complete education, to have a job, to get married, and form a family. Information on girls’ aspirations is critical to ensure program objectives align with the goals of the beneficiaries. Recognizing that girls’ and women are often influenced by their social environment, the research also interviews the people around them, to compare girls’ aspirations and attitudes to their community’s expectations and social norms, and to identify who in their circles of influence can be leveraged as an agent of change to support girls to achieve their dreams.