This study examines how mental health is approached in current literature on child marriage. Findings highlight that while significant emotional distress and specific mental health conditions are linked to child marriage, gaps in our understanding remain. The article also outlines a series of community-oriented interventions that blend psychological, social, and structural support to promote mental health and wellbeing in the context of child marriage. Read More
Youth and Gender
Adolescent Competencies for Family Planning Service Providers
The family planning (FP) needs of adolescents are often unmet due to inadequate provider pre- and in-service training, lack of supportive supervision, social norms, and individual provider bias, as well as issues with contraceptive commodity supply and cost of commodities, particularly in the private sector. This document provides guidance to enhance adolescent competencies for FP service providers to ensure that contraceptive services meet this demographic's needs. Read More
Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion Analysis Document Review
This report presents the methodology, findings, and identified gaps and opportunities from an analysis and document review on access to and use of MCHN services by marginalized and underserved populations in Uganda. This document review aimed to identify opportunities and gaps in national MCHN policies, guidelines, implementation, and measurement for issues related to gender, youth development, and social inclusion. Read More
Echidna Global Scholars: Better Learning Opportunities and Life Outcomes for Girls and Young Women
In this podcast, Jennifer O’Donoghue, fellow at the Center for Universal Education and coordinator of the Echidna Global Scholars program at Brookings, talks with the 2021 scholars about their research on improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls and women across the global south. Read More
Adolescent Girls and COVID-19: Mapping the Evidence on Interventions
There are substantial evidence gaps on programming to address risk across outcomes of importance to adolescent girls. This report aims to advance four goals related to this topic: reducing girls’ risks of contracting COVID-19; identifying longer-term developmental intervention approaches that hold promise in the recovery period; mitigating the secondary effects of COVID-19 on girls; and identifying priority evidence gaps. Read More
Girls’ Education and Family Planning: Essential Components of Climate Adaptation and Resilience
This policy brief makes the case for recognizing family planning and girls’ education as effective long-term climate adaptation strategies that should be integrated into climate deliberations, funding priorities, and country-level actions. Explore this policy brief to learn more about incorporating girls’ education and family planning into climate adaptation and resilience, utilizing these strategies to help address women and girls’ distinct vulnerabilities, and compelling reasons for prioritizing girls’ education and family planning within national climate adaptation strategies. Read More
