This article highlights insights and lessons learned from the PACE Project for creating more equitable, inclusive, meaningful—and, ultimately, impactful—partnerships with youth leaders. PACE has evolved a partnership model that fosters respectful and mutually beneficial partnerships with youth leaders and youth-led organizations that honors their unique priorities and explores new approaches. This intentional approach questions traditional strategies, shifts power dynamics, focuses on learning from youth leaders, and capitalizes on the diverse skills and strengths of partners. Read More
Youth and Gender
Meaningful Adolescent and Youth Engagement and Partnership in Sexual and Reproductive Health Programming: A Strategic Planning Guide
This Strategic Planning Guide is intended to lead program managers, planners, and decision makers through a strategic process to meaningfully and effectively engage and partner with adolescents, youth, and/or youth-led organizations on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs and initiatives. Meaningful adolescent and youth engagement and partnership is a right for adolescents and youth and can improve the quality and responsiveness of SRH programs and policies, in turn leading to improved development outcomes. Read More
Centering Adolescent- and Youth-Led Organizations to Advance Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
This report highlights the impact of PAI’s flagship youth program, YOUAccess, which supports and partners with adolescent- and youth-led (AYL) organizations to advance adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights. AYL organizations are often overlooked, but they have unique perspectives that shift norms, change policies, and secure increased funding from governments and donors. Read More
What Counts as Success in Child Marriage Interventions?: A Discussion on Age, Agency, and Measuring Change That Matters
On February 2, 2022, the CEFMU and Sexuality Working Group convened a webinar to discuss issues related to child marriage interventions. Panelists shared their perspectives on 1) why age of marriage as standalone vision and measure of success is limiting and potentially harmful; 2) alternative programming approaches and measurements; and 3) needs from funders and researchers to advance this work. This brief, also available in Spanish and French, shares key takeaways from the event. Read More
Shared Roots, Different Branches: Deepening Knowledge of Child Marriage in Diverse Settings
To ensure the accessibility of the Journal of Adolescent Health's research supplement, "Shared Roots, Different Branches", this advocacy summary synthesizes the supplement's key themes, such as how parental and community pressures, vague laws, poverty, and unintended pregnancy can push girls (and sometimes boys) into early marriage; how these factors shape girls’ experiences within marriage; and how to address the root cause of child marriage: patriarchal control of girls’ sexuality. Read More
Shared Roots, Different Branches: Expanding Understanding of Child Marriage in Diverse Settings
JAH has launched a special research supplement and advocacy summary designed to guide activists, practitioners, and researchers to reframe child marriage, reconsider what it will take to end this harmful practice, and reinforce girls’ and boys’ rights globally. The research supplement highlights how child, early, and forced marriage is happening in different ways around the world. The advocacy summary highlights key themes; how these factors shape girls’ experiences within marriage; and how to address the root cause of child marriage: patriarchal control of girls’ sexuality. Read More