Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

7-1-2021

Abstract

Literacy training for girls and young women can bridge the gap between girls’ low rates of schooling in the Sahel region and their desire for lifelong knowledge and skills. Literacy programs may also help promote community behavioral and attitudinal change by making the benefits of girls’ education visible. Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD) has increased literacy training for adolescent girls (AGs) to add to the assets they need to improve health outcomes. As a response to the need to strengthen literacy training components in Safe Spaces, practical lessons from evidence-based programming were compiled. These lessons center the learning experience on AGs and emphasize the need for materials that actively engage participants and thus increase the likelihood of their retaining information. As noted in this brief, within Safe Spaces, literacy training curriculum content should be informed by AG subject matter suggestions to increase relevance to the girls’ lives, regardless of the setting (community spaces or schools). Additionally, instructors need dedicated training using simple instructions and evidence-based curricula. Community involvement may help ensure longterm community support for girls’ education.

DOI

10.31899/sbsr2021.1001

Language

English

Comments

Also available in French

Project

Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD)

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