Impact of a Planned Sexual Harassment Protective Program on Feeling of Safety and Self Confidence among Adolescent Girls

Abstract Background The war in Syria caused the forced displacement of millions of Syrians to neighboring countries. Lebanon is the host country with the largest overall number of Syrian refugees per capita. Adolescent refugee girls experience a unique level of vulnerability during human emergencies and are at increased risk of suffering from poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to learn about the SRH perceptions and experiences of refugee adolescent girls living in Bourj Hammoud, an urban setting in Lebanon. Methods We employed a qualitative design with eight focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted with 40 Syrian Arab and Syrian Kurdish adolescent girls between January and March 2020. Every FGD consisted of five participants aged 13 to 17 years. A semi-structured guide was used covering multiple themes: menstruation, puberty, SRH awareness, and sexual harassment. FGDs were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings The participants discussed adolescent girls’ health and named six elements of good health, such as healthy activities and self-protection. The majority of the FGD participants reported a lack of awareness about menstruation when they experienced it for the first time and the social stigma associated with menstruation. When defining puberty, they indicated its social link to a girl’s readiness for marriage and her need to become cautious about sexual harassment. Most FGD participants had very poor knowledge of the female reproductive system. Mothers were the most approached persons to receive information on SRH issues; however, the girls indicated a wish to receive advice from specialists in a comfortable and private atmosphere. All the girls reported that either they themselves, or an acquaintance, had experienced some type of sexual harassment. The girls rarely reported those incidents due to fear of being blamed or subjected to mobility restrictions, or forced to drop out of school. Conclusions The findings show the refugee girls need for satisfactory knowledge on SRH issues and interventions to prevent sexual and gender-based violence that take into consideration the complexity of urban settings.

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Effect of Intervention on self-confidence levels among Rural Adolescent Girls during Covid-19 in Telangana State

International journal of Rural Development Environment and Health Research ◽

10.22161/ijreh.5.5.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 06-10

Author(s):

Sana Bari ◽

G. Swarupa Rani ◽

M. Sarada Devi ◽

R. Geetha Reddy

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Girls ◽

Confidence Levels ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Telangana State ◽

Rural Adolescent

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Femininity in metal fanship: ‘I do not need to take anyone along’

Metal Music Studies ◽

10.1386/mms_00046_1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 211-235 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maarit Kinnunen ◽

Antti Honkanen

Keyword(s):

Sexual Harassment ◽

Musical Genre ◽

Metal Music ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Live Music

Metal music has an exceptional position in Finnish society where the genre is not marginal and the proportion of female fans is considerable. However, studies on female metal fandom emphasize that female fans are in the minority among the male-dominant metal fan community. This has led to conclusions that female fans are acting in a ‘masculine’ manner to avoid sexual harassment, and to get approval and respect for their fandom from male fans. Our aim was to study very feminine metal fans, trying to find out how they perceived their position among metal fans and how they demonstrated their femininity, especially in metal festivals. Based on the results, considering metal a masculine musical genre is not justifiable if the context is female metal fans, not female metal musicians. Very feminine female fans consumed a lot of live music and described metal as beautiful, emotional and empowering. They were quite independent and became more confident in their femininity as they grew older. Part of them demonstrated their self-confidence by dressing up in a very feminine – even hyperfeminine – way, and part of them dressed more modestly, seeing their femininity internally, not externally.

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Cyber Sexual Harassment: Prevalence and association with substance use, poor mental health, and STI history among sexually active adolescent girls

Journal of Adolescence ◽

10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.07.005 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 75 ◽

pp. 53-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elizabeth Reed ◽

Marissa Salazar ◽

Alma I. Behar ◽

Niloufar Agah ◽

Jay G. Silverman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Sexual Harassment ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Sexually Active

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Factors that promote and impede other-sex friendships: a qualitative study of Iranian adolescent girls

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2016-0067 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nasim Bahrami ◽

Masoumeh Sibmar ◽

William M. Bukowski ◽

AbouAli Vedadhir ◽

Bianca Panarello

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Identity Formation ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Public Places ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Poor Understanding ◽

Different Levels

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to identify factors that promote and impede other-sex (OS) friendships in adolescent girls. Methods: A qualitative study conducted with 20 adolescent girls recruited in public places in Tehran, Iran. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews and coded via the conventional qualitative content analysis approach. Results: Four factors were identified that appeared to promote entry into OS friendships. These factors include (a) a poor understanding of perceived risks, (b) weak religious beliefs, (c) processes of identity formation, and (d) low self-esteem. In addition, six factors appeared to impede entry into these friendships: (a) self-confidence, (b) prioritizing education, (c) maintaining particular entertainment preferences, (d) awareness of prior unpleasant experiences with boys, (e) having strong religious convictions, and (f) shaming from significant others. Conclusion: These findings provide unique insights into the factors that stem from different levels of social complexity, which affect participation in a fundamental form of human experience.

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Can economic assets increase girls' risk of sexual harassment? Evaluation results from a social, health and economic asset-building intervention for vulnerable adolescent girls in Uganda

Children and Youth Services Review ◽

10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.08.012 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 168-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Karen Austrian ◽

Eunice Muthengi

Keyword(s):

Sexual Harassment ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Social Health ◽

Asset Building ◽

Economic Assets

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A study of menstrual hygiene among rural adolescent school girls in rural field practice area of a medical college, Davangere- a cross sectional study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20194526 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (10) ◽

pp. 4538

Author(s):

Vidya Basavaraju ◽

Chetan Lakshmikantha Bukanakere ◽

Madonna J. Dsouza ◽

Ashok Kumar Shivakumar Mallenahalli

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Girls ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Population ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Menstrual Hygiene ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Field Practice ◽

Socio Economic Variables

Background: Adolescence in girls signifies the transition from girlhood to womanhood; one fifth of world population is between 10 and 19 years old. Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to the females. Menstruation is a monthly occurrence that requires access to appropriate materials and facilities, without which, females suffer from poor menstrual hygiene which restricts their movement and self-confidence. Increased knowledge about menstruation right from childhood may escalate safe practices and may help in mitigating the suffering of millions of women.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 adolescent girls in a rural field practice area of S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences. Data on socio-economic variables and menstrual characteristics were collected using pre-tested questionnaires for a period of two months from September to October 2018.Results: Total of 200 girls was interviewed. 87.6% of the girls were aware about menstruation prior to the attainment of menarche. Mothers were the first informants in about 56.5% girls. Overall 51.5% adolescent girls were using sanitary napkins as menstrual absorbent, while 45.6% were using used cloths. 97.6% girls practiced different restrictions during menstruation. Some of the sociodemographic factors like religion, type of family and mother’s education, SES were significantly associated with menstrual hygienic practices.Conclusions: There is a need to educate the girls about menstruation, its importance and hygiene maintenance; to enable them to lead a healthy reproductive life in future.

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Empowering young immigrant girls in Canada through the ‘Girls’ Voices’ Curriculum: A qualitative study

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.54541.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 799

Author(s):

Salima Meherali ◽

Mehnaz Rehmani ◽

Arzoo Rafiq ◽

Neelam Punjani ◽

Helen Vallianatos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Girls ◽

Gender Inequality ◽

Gender Discrimination ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Immigrant Adolescents ◽

Problem Solving Skills ◽

Immigrant Adolescent ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Global Issue ◽

Promote Gender Equality

Background: Gender inequality is a global issue. In Canada, 70% of women experience some form of inequality in their lifetime. Immigrant adolescents in Canada make up a substantial proportion of newcomers, and immigrant girls face the threat of subjugation and oppression, which has a significant impact on their health, development, and economic outcomes as well as gender inequality. Research on girls’ empowerment and resilience-building programs and interventions is virtually nonexistent. In this project, we implemented the ‘Girls’ Voices’ Curriculum. The aim of this project was to engage and empower South Asian (SA) immigrant adolescent girls and to promote gender equality in Canada. Methods: This study utilized a qualitative descriptive design. Pre- and post-curriculum implementation focus group discussions were conducted. Results: A total of 16 adolescent girls ranging from 11 to 18 years of age participated in this study. The participants described challenges many young girls face in relation to gender inequality such as gender discrimination, gendered stereotyping, barriers to education, etc. The ‘Girls’ Voices’ Curriculum allowed participants to highlight and reflect on the various problems faced by SA immigrant adolescents in their communities. The participants learned to examine these challenges through a variety of engaging activities to identify their root cause, effects and propose solutions to bring long-lasting change. The curriculum equipped them with useful tools such as decision-makers maps and advocacy skills to educate decision-makers by creating and delivering powerful messages influenced by personal stories and evidence-based literature. Conclusion: The study provided significant insight into understanding the diverse challenges encountered by SA immigrant adolescent girls in Canada and linking them to the effectiveness of the ‘Girls’ Voices’ Curriculum. The girl-focused development programs that emphasize developing self-confidence, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and decision making are effective in empowering the socially deprived adolescent girls locally and in the global context.

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