Publications

Inequitable gender norms are widespread and can be harmful to the wellbeing of adolescents. This study estimates the effects of two gender-transformative interventions, Semangat Dunia Remaja or Teen Aspirations (SETARA) and Growing Up Great! (GUG!), on gender norms perceptions and attitudes among very young adolescents in poor urban settings in Bandar Lampung, Semarang, Denpasar (Indonesia), and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

To ensure meaningful youth participation in GEAS, the Global Youth Advisory Board (GYAB) was set up in mid 2021. The specific objectives of the GYAB are; to gain youth perspectives on current and future GEAS work, create a global network of youth leaders, and train on new skills on qualitative research methods, communications, and advocacy. It is made up of youth leaders who were a part of the local youth advisory boards in six sites of the longitudinal study arm of the GEAS (Malawi, DRC, Chile, USA, Indonesia, and China).

One of the objectives of GYAB is to empower young people as research partners via training and participatory research methods to create opportunities to promote both youth development and to improve the scientific study of issues affecting young people’s lives. Youth engagement in research has the potential to enhance youth leadership skills as change agents; promote critical thinking; and increase knowledge around issues that affect young people (Goto, 2004, Liebenberg, 2017, Powers, 2006). In addition, it allows them to build a strong network and advocacy groups and to serve as role models and experts to other youth. 

In November of 2021, the GYAB received comprehensive training on qualitative research methods with an emphasis on how to conduct key informant interviews. All of the GYAB members then descended to their respective communities to interview their peers on gender norms and their impact on the health of young people. This report brings to light the approach used and a synthesis of the findings of six GYAB members.

Public Health research focuses on community health needs and data collection may involve children or adolescents. Adolescents are a unique population for human subject research because they are old enough to have their own opinions and needs but are still considered minors in most situations; they are not yet complete independent legal agents. There are some circumstances where local law may allow adolescents to consent for themselves. It is imperative that researchers understand who has legal authority to consent to a study under the local laws and practices of the research setting.

This guide intends to help prepare researchers who will recruit adolescents into human subject research studies for the ethical and legal issues and challenges associated with research involving this vulnerable population. Our intent is to promote thought and discussion among researchers about how to address them and to provide some practical examples.

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Listening to young people's voices on sexual wellbeing and consent – what this means for sexual and reproductive health and rights influencing and practice.

Many sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) programmes are delivered through a sexual risk perspective – which means emphasising the negative consequences of sexual activity, such as unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. There has been less focus on highlighting the positive and healthy aspects of sexuality and sexual experiences.

Young people’s sexual wellbeing and their evolving capacity to give and receive sexual consent need to be better understood to be included in youth programmes and policies. With this in mind, and to inform our programming and advocacy work on SRHR, Plan International commissioned research to explore young people’s perspectives of sexual wellbeing and consent. The research involves primary qualitative data collection with young people aged 18 to 24 in Uganda and Ecuador. 

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Now, with key partners like the World Health Organization, governments, academics and many others, we all must show commitment to leadership and investment to better support mental health. We all must work to help break the silence around mental health – challenge stigmas, raise mental health literacy and ensure the voices of young people are heard, and especially those with lived experience of mental health challenges. And we all must commit to action in key areas, like better supporting parents, ensuring schools are kinder and safer places, and – through investment and workforce development – addressing the mental health needs of families in areas like social protection and community care. Crucially, we all must work to improve data collection, routine monitoring, and research – a key challenge for all of us in the United Nations system. The picture we have of children’s mental health is a partial one, and it is one that is skewed heavily towards the world’s wealthiest countries. That means we know too little of how children and young people in most parts of the world experience mental health. It also means we know too little of the potential strengths and support that diverse communities and cultures may be able to offer children and families. The challenge we face is immense. It is one that – despite the best efforts of so many, especially the young people who have shared their stories, ideas and passion for change – our global community has barely begun to address. When it comes to mental health, every country is developing. But if the challenge is great, the rewards of meeting it can be greater still – for every child, for every family and for every community. We can wait no longer. We cannot fail another generation. The time to act is now.

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