Gender attitudes in adolescence: evaluating the Girl Rising gender-sensitization program in India. Issue 1 (31st December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vyas, Amita N.; Malhotra, G.; Nagaraj, N. C.; Landry, M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of adolescence and youth. Volume 25:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 126
• Page End: 139
• Publication Date: 2020-12-31
• Subjects: Gender -- gender sensitization -- gender equality -- gender attitudes -- gender norms -- adolescent development; Adolescence -- Periodicals; Youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; 305.235
• DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2019.1598450
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-3843

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Despite the gains India has made over the past 20 years, it remains a country with significant gender inequalities. Gender sensitization and empowerment programs during adolescence, when gender attitudes are formed, have the potential to diminish gender inequity. The Girl rising ' Gender-sensitization program ' was implemented in 254 schools in India to support adolescents in identifying, articulating, and sharing their gender-related experiences. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with a one group pre- and post-test with a sub-sample of schools in rural Punjab and Rajasthan, India (n = 2, 894 adolescents). Multivariable regression analyses adjusting for gender, grade, and district found that gender equality scores increased by 0.66 points (p < .001), gender roles/privileges/restrictions mean score increased by 0.41 points (p < .001), and gender attribute mean score increased by 0.17 points (p < .001). Gender-sensitization programs can play an important role in forming and changing gender attitudes during adolescence, and have the potential to alter their short and long-term beliefs.