Support For Girls Research Articles

“And Yet…”: Title IX Fifty Years on An Introduction

The half-century since Title IX was enacted has seen an explosion of opportunities for women and girls. While Title IX has opened doors in a wide array of areas, it will always be associated primarily with women's sports. The effect on women's sports has indeed been profound. Participation and funding has ballooned at all levels, from grade school to the professional ranks. Still, much remains to be done, as participation, attitudes, and support of girls’ and women's sports continue to lag behind those of boys and men. The articles in this volume examine the growth of a variety of women's sports in the wake of Title IX. Collectively, they show how much has been achieved and how much remains to be done.

Factors Associated with the Utilisation of Family Planning Services among Women of Reproductive Age (15-49 Years) Attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital

Family planning is defined as the ability for individuals and couples to attain their desired number of children and plan the spacing and timing of their births through the use of contraceptive methods. Promoting family is one of the main targets to reach the SDGs, and timely achievement of family planning targets is expected to accelerate achievement across the 5 SDG themes of people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. Despite the enormous benefits of family planning services, the uptake of the service remains low Uganda. This has resulted in high rates of unwanted pregnancies, unplanned deliveries, unsafe abortions, and maternal mortalities in Uganda. Several factors play an important role in the use of contraceptives among women of childbearing age. The identification of these factors is crucial to the planning and implementation of a suitable family planning programme. The study was designed to determine the factors associated with the utilisation of family planning among women of reproductive age (15–49) attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Western Uganda. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were utilised to collect data from 251 participants. From the results of the study majority, 182(72.5%) had never used family planning services and 68 (27.5%) had ever used family planning services. Therefore, the level of utilizing family planning services was found to be 27.5%. Thus, the level of utilisation of family planning services among women of reproductive age (15–49) attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Western Uganda, was low, which is significantly associated with the education level and perceived skills of health workers. There is a need to promote and effectively implement policies in support of girls’ education to increase FP service utilisation. Keywords: Family Planning, Women, SDGs, Contraceptives, HIV/AIDS

FRI599 Quality Of Life In Girls With Turner Syndrome Using The Quality Of Life In Short Stature Youth Questionnaire (QoLISSY) - A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Disclosure: N. Vijayakanthi: None. D.J. Marcus: None. S.P. Fritz: None. Y. Xiang: None. D.O. Fadoju: None. Background: Short Stature is a common finding in girls with Turner syndrome (TS). Its impact on Quality of life (QoL) in adolescents/adults with TS have been studied using generic QoL questionnaires. Short stature specific QoL questionnaires have not been used to study the impact of short stature and GH therapy in TS in previous studies. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate QoL and the association between GH therapy and height on QoL of adolescents using the short stature specific questionnaire -Quality of Life in Short Stature Youth (QoLISSY). QoLISSY was designed specifically to assess QoL in short stature children with scales for both parents and children which assesses 3 core QOL dimensions: physical, social, emotional and 3 predictors of quality of life: Coping, Beliefs and Treatment (GH therapy). It has not been previously used in TS. Results: Of the 41 eligible patients, 37 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of our cohort was 16.3 ±1.3 years and the average final adult height was 145.03 ± 7.3 cm. About 70% of the patients received GH therapy and 80% received estrogen therapy. Compared to the reference short stature mean values, our TS cohort had comparable scores in all QoL subscales and total scores in both parent and patient reports apart from the parental report treatment subscale which was significantly lower than their respective reference short stature means [Mean ± SD: 47.43±27.13 vs 58.82±16.75; p=0.03]. Girls with height >-3SD had significantly lower score in the coping subscale, compared to the <-2SD height group [Mean ± SD: 42.14 ± 19.04 vs 62.25 ± 16.60; p= 0.024; multivariate analysis: p=0.012. In the parent report, the social subscale was significantly lower in the > -3SD height group compared to the <-2SD height group [Mean ± SD: 57.59 ± 22.25 vs 80.94 ± 11.26; p=0.022; multivariate analysis: p=0.024]. There was no statistically significant difference in the QOL between the GH vs no GH groups. Conclusion: We conclude that the QoL in girls with TS was comparable to the reference short stature population. GH therapy did not improve the QoL in girls with TS in our cohort. Height does not appear correlate with the overall QoL in girls with TS though they have some coping and social difficulties. We recommend psychological counseling and support for girls with TS especially to address their coping and social difficulties. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Do personal relationships boost academic performance more for women than for men?

Social integration is known to be positively related to academic performance. It is also well-known to play a different role for (self-identified) men and women. In this paper, we examine the differences seen in the correlations between academic performance and social integration for men and women. Gender was determined on the basis of self-identification. Utilizing the data from the Russian representative panel of late adolescents ( N = 4,400), we demonstrate a positive relationship between the core discussion network size as a measure of social integration. Using moderation analysis, we demonstrate that the role of social integration for women is more pronounced than for men. Our findings show the importance of social integration and support for girls and women and suggest possible policy implications.

Design, Methods, and Select Baseline Results from a School Nutrition Project for Adolescents in Bangladesh

BackgroundThe School Nutrition for Adolescents Project (SNAP) provided weekly iron and folic acid (WIFA) supplementation and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) support for girls; actions to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices; and behavior change interventions to adolescents aged 10–19 y in 65 intervention schools in 2 districts of Bangladesh. ObjectivesWe aimed to describe the project design and select baseline results of students and school project implementers. MethodsGirls (n = 2244) and boys (n = 773) in 74 schools (clusters) and project implementers [headteachers (n = 74), teachers (n = 96), and student leaders (n = 91)] participated in a survey assessing nutrition, MHM, and WASH knowledge and experience. Hemoglobin, inflammation-adjusted ferritin, retinol-binding protein, and serum and RBC folate (RBCF) levels in girls were measured. School WASH infrastructure was observed and drinking water was tested for E. coli. ResultsIFA and deworming tablet intake in the last 1 and 6 mo were 4% and 81% for girls and 1% and 86%, respectively. Applying the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) tool, most (63%–68%) girls and boys achieved minimum dietary diversity. Fewer adolescents (14%–52%) had ever heard of anemia, IFA tablets, or worm infestation than project implementers (47%–100%). Girls (35%) missed school during menstruation; 39% reported of ever leaving school due to unexpected menstruation. The micronutrient status and deficiency severity varied: anemia (25%), RBCF insufficiency (76%), risk of serum folate deficiency (10%), deficiencies of iron (9%), and vitamin A (3%). WASH in school sustainable development goal (SDG) indicators achievement varied: basic drinking water service (70%), basic sanitation service (42%), and basic hygiene service (3%); 59% of sampled drinking water access points complied with WHO E. coli standards. ConclusionsThere is room for improvement of nutrition and health awareness, practices, micronutrient status, SDG basic WASH in-school services, and E coli contamination in school drinking water.This trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05455073.

Advancing a grounded theory of parental support in competitive girls’ golf

Parental support in youth sport has been associated with positive athlete outcomes, such as sport enjoyment and continued participation. Although research has demonstrated the significant and influential role parents fulfil in the youth sport context, there remains a dearth of theoretical frameworks detailing parental support in youth sport and an absence of empirical research examining parental support across athlete development stages and sports. The present study sought to examine athletes’ perceptions of parental support, with a view to advancing a grounded theory of parental support in youth golf. Fourteen online synchronous focus groups were conducted with an international sample (Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland) of 61 girls, in the specialising (n = 27) and investment stages (n = 34) of athlete development. Data were analysed in three phases: open-coding, axial coding, and theoretical integration. The substantive grounded theory is constructed on the core category of ‘Individual Parental Support Preferences’. This core category is underpinned by four sub-categories of parental support which were evident across development stages: instrumental, informational, emotional, and autonomy support, and is influenced by a host of athlete (e.g., athletes’ performance), parent (e.g., parents’ knowledge), and contextual characteristics (e.g., location). Unconditional parental support is an important aspect of emotional support, however the concept of adopting a person-first approach to sport parenting is novel. These results provide a rich and novel insight of parental support in girls’ golf, advancing a grounded theoretical understanding of parental support mechanisms in a youth sport context.

Companions to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Sweden – experiences of Swedish families

PurposeMany unaccompanied children have sought asylum in Sweden during recent years. They needed different kinds of support not only from the authorities but also from the local community. The purpose of this paper is to explore how families from local communities can support the children and be the neutral companion they long for.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was adopted for this descriptive study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.FindingsThe families wanted to know more about unaccompanied children than the information presented in the mass media. They showed deep engagement in getting to know the boys and strong affection for them because they got a sense of how difficult their lives were. Families with experience as parents can play an important role to guide the children into the Swedish society and be trustful adults who can complement the professionals in the authorities and accommodations. The families in this project needed more support through information and strategies about how to handle difficult situations during the children’s asylum process.Research limitations/implicationsThis study describes a pilot project in a small municipality in Sweden. The participating families described the support given to a group of boys. More studies should focus on support for girls in similar situation.Originality/valueThere are limited studies on how families in local communities can support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Escaping social rejection, gaining total capital: the complex psychological experience of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) among the Izzi in Southeast Nigeria

BackgroundWhile the deleterious effects of FGM/C on physical health are well documented, the psychological experience of this harmful practice is a neglected area of research, which limits global mental health actions. As FGM/C was a traditional practice in some areas of Nigeria, the study aimed to understand the psychological experience of FGM/C in context.MethodsThis qualitative study was completed in urban and rural Izzi communities in Southeast Nigeria where FGM/C was widely practiced. In-depth interviews were completed with 38 women of the same ethnicity using the McGill Illness Narrative Interview (MINI) to explore the collective psychological experience of FGM/C before, during and after the procedure. The MINI was successfully adapted to explore the meaning and experience of FGM/C. We completed thematic content analysis and used the concepts of total capital and habitus by Bourdieu to interpret the data.ResultsDuring the period of adolescence, Izzi young women who had not yet undergone FGM/C reported retrospectively being subjected to intense stigma, humiliation and rejection by their cut peers. Alongside the social benefits from FGM/C the ongoing psychological suffering led many to accept or request to be cut, to end their psychological torture. Virtually all women reported symptoms of severe distress before, during and after the procedure. Some expressed the emotion of relief from knowing their psychological torture would end and that they would gain social acceptance and total capital from being cut. Newly cut young women also expressed that they looked forward to harassing and stigmatizing uncut ones, therein engaging in a complex habitus that underscores their severe trauma as well as their newly acquired enhanced social status.ConclusionFGM/C is profoundly embedded in the local culture, prevention strategies need to involve the whole community to develop preventive pathways in a participatory way that empowers girls and women while preventing the deleterious psychological effects of FGM/C and corresponding stigma. Results suggest the need to provide psychological support for girls and women of practicing Izzi communities of Southeast Nigeria.

Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in girls and women

BackgroundThere is evidence to suggest that the broad discrepancy in the ratio of males to females with diagnosed ADHD is due, at least in part, to lack of recognition and/or referral bias in females. Studies suggest that females with ADHD present with differences in their profile of symptoms, comorbidity and associated functioning compared with males. This consensus aims to provide a better understanding of females with ADHD in order to improve recognition and referral. Comprehensive assessment and appropriate treatment is hoped to enhance longer-term clinical outcomes and patient wellbeing for females with ADHD.MethodsThe United Kingdom ADHD Partnership hosted a meeting of experts to discuss symptom presentation, triggers for referral, assessment, treatment and multi-agency liaison for females with ADHD across the lifespan.ResultsA consensus was reached offering practical guidance to support medical and mental health practitioners working with females with ADHD. The potential challenges of working with this patient group were identified, as well as specific barriers that may hinder recognition. These included symptomatic differences, gender biases, comorbidities and the compensatory strategies that may mask or overshadow underlying symptoms of ADHD. Furthermore, we determined the broader needs of these patients and considered how multi-agency liaison may provide the support to meet them.ConclusionsThis practical approach based upon expert consensus will inform effective identification, treatment and support of girls and women with ADHD. It is important to move away from the prevalent perspective that ADHD is a behavioural disorder and attend to the more subtle and/or internalised presentation that is common in females. It is essential to adopt a lifespan model of care to support the complex transitions experienced by females that occur in parallel to change in clinical presentation and social circumstances. Treatment with pharmacological and psychological interventions is expected to have a positive impact leading to increased productivity, decreased resource utilization and most importantly, improved long-term outcomes for girls and women.

Designing and determining psychometric properties of a questionnaire on assessment of men's attitudes toward male participation in women's sexual and reproductive health issues

Context: Men's participation in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues can help countries achieve their national development goals, such as reducing maternal mortality, increasing the use of contraceptives, and reducing the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Aims: The purpose of this study is to design and to determine the psychometric properties of a questionnaire on the assessment of men's attitudes toward male participation in women's SRH issues. Setting and Design: In this study, 449 married men from cities of Nowshahr and Chalus in Iran who were selected by the available sampling method completed Questionnaire on Assessment of Men's Attitudes in 2018. Materials and Methods: An exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach was used in the present study and focused on research instrument design performed in two qualitative and quantitative phases. Statistical Analysis: The formal validity, content, and structure (convergent and divergent validity) and the reliability of the scale were investigated. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis was performed using SPSS Amos 24 software. Results: Four factors fit to the assessment of men's attitudes are confirmed according to standard indicators that include “emotional and gender-based attention,” “support for girls,” “attention and supply of SRH, and prevention of violence.” Convergent and divergent validity for all factors, as well as internal consistency and structural stability, are acceptable. Conclusions: Given the importance and the necessity of male participation in women's reproductive health, this questionnaire was endowed with sufficient validity and reliability and could be useful to precisely assess men's attitudes in this regard.

The XY Female: Exploring Care for Adolescent Girls with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

ABSTRACT Differences in Sex Development (DSD) encompasses many diagnoses, where the development of chromosomal make-up, gonadal development or anatomical development is atypical. XY, DSD is a classification under the recent international consensus statement, and XY females commonly encapsulate disorders of androgen synthesis and androgen action. Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) is the most common XY, DSD diagnosis, which results in an individual having XY chromosomes, but the person is phenotypically female. This article explores the care and management of children and young people with a DSD and focuses on the diagnosis of CAIS in adolescence. Medical and surgical management is discussed, alongside sexual function, gender identity and the psychological impact of the diagnosis. The involvement of the multidisciplinary team is stressed, together with an emphasis on the investment that is needed in psychological and nursing support for girls with CAIS, and their families.

Parental egalitarian attitudes towards gender roles affect agreement on girls taking STEM fields at university in Japan

ABSTRACTWomen are still in the minority in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields in many countries, including Japan. Parental gender role attitudes are a potential influence on whether high school girls choose STEM fields and which fields they choose. However, this has not yet been closely examined in the Japanese context. We used an online questionnaire to investigate whether parental agreement regarding girls’ choice of STEM fields was affected by stereotypical parental gender role attitudes. We found that Japanese parents with egalitarian gender role attitudes generally agreed with girls’ freedom to choose their field of study (not just limited to STEM fields). Parents that agreed thought that girls could find employment across all fields. However, parents that disagreed expressed a variety of reasons, including negative perceptions of STEM fields such as lack of employment opportunities (biology, mathematics, physics and information science) and unsuitability for women (engineering). These results suggest that improving such field-specific negative perceptions may contribute to increase parental support for girls’ choice of STEM fields.

Primary Schoolgirls Addressing Bullying and Negotiating Femininity

In this article we focus on sixty South African primary schoolgirls’ experiences of male violence and bullying. Rejecting outmoded constructions of schoolgirls as passive, we examine how girls draw on different forms of femininity to manage and address violence at school. These femininities are non-normative in their advancing of violence to stop violence but are also imbued with culturally relevant meanings about care, forgiveness, and humanity based on the African principle of ubuntu. Moving away from the discursive production of girls’ victimhood, we show how girls construct their own agency as they actively participate in multiple forms of femininity advocating both violence and forgiveness. Given the absence of teacher and parental support for girls’ safety, we conclude with a call to address interventions contextually, from schoolgirls’ own perspectives.

\u201cOur girls need to see a path to the future\u201d --perspectives on sexual and reproductive health information among adolescent girls, guardians, and initiation counselors in Mulanje district, Malawi

BackgroundMalawi has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates worldwide; at 141 births/1000 girls it is 3-fold higher than the global average. Adolescent pregnancy contributes to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes, school dropout, and poverty. In preparation for an information, education, and communication (IEC) intervention to reduce unintended pregnancy among adolescent girls, formative research was conducted to understand how and what sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information is shared with girls in southern, rural Malawi, and perceptions of such information among key informants.MethodsForty semi-structured interviews were conducted with three participant groups: adolescent girls (n = 18), mothers/female guardians (M/FGs) of adolescent girls (n = 12), and leaders of initiation rites (n = 10). Interviews were conducted in 15 villages. Data were analyzed and coded using Dedoose 7.5.ResultsParticipants widely acknowledged both the health risks and the general social unacceptability of early childbearing, yet adolescent pregnancy is common in the region. Respondents also acknowledged the importance of female school completion and the norm that pregnancy usually marks the end of a girl’s education. Unprotected transactional sex was reported to be common and driven by poverty. Initiation rites were described as prevalent and often encourage girls to practice sex at puberty. Contraceptives, and even condoms, were reportedly discouraged for adolescents due to concerns about inappropriateness for nulliparous and young girls and misconceptions about side effects. Adolescent respondents also noted barriers to accessing condoms and contraceptives. M/FGs were described as gatekeepers to SRH information and services, and many parents reported delaying SRH discussions until after sexual debut due to concerns about encouraging sexual activity. Adolescent and M/FG participants expressed a desire for role models or “outside experts” to provide SRH education and to promote an alternate vision to adolescent motherhood.ConclusionTo improve SRH outcomes for adolescent girls, it is critical to engage key stakeholders and create an enabling environment so that girls can effectively act on the IEC they receive. Initiation counselors remain entrenched information sources; efforts to provide them with training on accurate SRH messaging could leverage an existing channel. Engaging parents, especially mothers, is crucial to encourage earlier SRH education and to gain their acceptance of adolescent access to SRH services. Also important is mobilizing the broader community of influencers in support of girls’ SRH and vision for a healthier future. Sensitization messages focusing on the health, educational and economic benefits of preventing early pregnancy may overcome misconceptions about and barriers to contraceptive use. Finally, fostering girls’ aspirations for school completion and jobs and other income generating opportunities via role models can encourage an alternative to adolescent motherhood. Ultimately, poverty and gender inequity reduction is critical for long-lasting impact on the SRH of adolescent girls in the region.

The relationship between anxiety and social support in male and female students in high schools in the southeast of Iran.

Adolescence is associated with physical, social and personality changes. Adolescents usually face some fears during this period, the removal and adjustment of which requires family and teachers' support and the lack of attention to the issues of maturity will have negative effects on their health, awareness and self-esteem. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety and social support among male and femaille students in high schools in the southeast of Iran. In this cross-sectional study that was conducted as a descriptive comparison, 452 students who were studying in the first period of high school in Kerman (junior high schools) were selected as the entire population by the cluster sampling method and the data collection instruments were: a demographic questionnaire, Philips Social Support Scale and the Cattle Anxiety Scale. As well as descriptive statistics, to test the hypothesis of this study by SPSS software, and in the case of abnormal distribution of each variable, non-parametric tests were used. The results showed that anxiety in girls is great than in boys, also data analysis through Pearson's test showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between anxiety and social support in girls (r = -0.428, n = 226, p < 0.001) and boys (r = -0.378, n = 226, p < 0.001). The results of research showed that by increasing perceptions of social support in students, their anxiety decreases. Therefore, paying attention to the social determinants of health such as social support is important and necessary to reduce the anxiety of students.

Is creativity, hands-on modeling and cognitive learning gender-dependent?

Modeling plays a key role in science research and education is considered to increase comprehensibility of abstract concepts and processes. Especially hands-on experiences in authentic learning environments offer students the opportunity to feel like real researchers and support the development of problem-based thinking skills. In our study, we applied an inquiry-based, out-of-school laboratory module that uses classic experimental challenges as well as innovative model-supported teaching to promote cognitive achievement. Our hands-on module was designed for 9th graders and combined experimentation and creative model work to visualize molecular and otherwise invisible contents of DNA-structure. After mental modeling, participants (N = 114; 40.87% female) produced a physical DNA-model using handcrafting materials. Our major aims were to evaluate the model qualities and to monitor potential relationships between successful model elaboration, individual creativity and knowledge levels. Therefore, we correlated students’ creativity levels with model quality scores as well as with cognitive achievement. While no relations were found for creativity and model elaboration further results were gender-dependent. Girls produced significantly higher model quality scores and significant positive correlations were revealed between short-term and mid-term knowledge levels. Correlations also were observed between girls’ cognitive achievement and the creativity subscale ‘flow’. In contrast, neither creativity nor model quality were decisive for boys cognitive achievement. Their average simpler modeling results did not correlate with the short-term and mid-term knowledge levels, although they achieved similar scores on both. Model elaboration seemingly provides more support for girls and offers a suitable approach for emphasizing creativity in science education. In attempting to attract girls to scientific ideas, creative modeling may further support hands-on experimentation.

東日本大震災から4年半後の福島県における中学生のメンタルヘルス

This study investigated the mental health in four years and six to eight months after the Great East Japan earthquake among junior high school students living in the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, who were affected by the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Three hundred nine students living there completed the questionnaire to assess post-traumatic stress responses, positive emotions, social support, positive events, and well-being. As the results, the scores of post-traumatic stress responses and mother support in first-year students were significantly higher than those in third-year students. The scores of post-traumatic stress responses and peer support in girls were significantly higher than those in boys. Furthermore, structural equation modeling revealed that the experiences of positive events enriched social support and positive emotions, which reduced post-traumatic stress responses and enhanced well-being.

School children's Lifestyle Behaviours and Their Predictors: Healthy Weight Development Model in Urban Indonesia

Objectives: Child obesity, a major risk factor of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes or heart diseases, has become a major health issue in Indonesia, especially in the wake of economic growth. Nevertheless, child obesity prevention programs and relevant information is limited. Our study aimed to investigate child obesity status, lifestyle behaviours (LSBs) and their predictors, and their structures, in order to develop a model to discuss a collaborative healthy weight development program for schoolchildren in urban Indonesia. There were two objectives of our study: (1) In order to investigate schoolchildren's obesity status, LSBs, and their predictors and (2) In order to examine relationships among schoolchildren's obesity status, LSBs, and their predictors in urban Indonesia. Methods: The design was a cross-sectional study using physical measurement tools and an 82 item selfdeveloped questionnaire based on interviews for 9 to 11 year old school children in 2015. Sampling included 5 schools resulting in 594 eligible students with 579 (97.5%) responding. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and a structural equation modeling. The Research Ethics Committee of St. Luke's International University (Approval Number 15-036) approved our study. Results: Physical measurement classified participants 40% as obese or overweight and 35% as underweight. Descriptive statistics revealed limited behaviours and environments in access to snacks, physical activity (PA), weight-monitoring, obesity education, and support. The models by type of schools and by sex (CFI=0.88-0.91) indicated; boys' trouble sleeping (β=-0.18), private schoolchildren's frequency of junk and outside foods (β=-0.18 and -0.19) predicted Body Mass Index. Safe-PA environment (β=0.17-0.48) and family support (β=0.36-0.59) predicted PA LSBs. For girls, PA-peer presence predicted PA LSBs (β=0.88). Conclusion: These findings could help developing the effective obesity-prevention programs such as healthy dietary environment, safe-PA-environment, PA-peer-group support for girls, family-involved dietary-PA interventions in urban Indonesia.

Community Support and Adolescent Girls' Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS: Evidence From Botswana, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Girls are vulnerable to HIV in part because the social systems in which they live have failed to support and protect them. The goal of this research was to develop a viable supportive community index and test its association with intermediate variables associated with HIV risk across 16 communities in Botswana, Malawi, and Mozambique. This cross-sectional survey with separate samples randomly drawn in each country (2010) yielded a total sample of 1,418 adolescent girls (aged 11-18). Multilevel, multivariate logistic regression, while controlling for vulnerability, age, religion, and residence, found that an increase in supportive community index is positively associated with the odds of indicating improved community support for girls and with the confidence to refuse unwanted sex with a boyfriend across the three countries, as well as with self-efficacy to insist on condom use in Botswana and Mozambique. Program implementers and decision makers alike can use the supportive community index to identify and measure structural factors associated with girls' vulnerability to HIV/AIDS; this will potentially contribute to judicious decision making regarding resource allocation to enhance community-level, protective factors for adolescent girls.

Calls for educating girls in the Third World: futurity, girls and the ‘Third World Woman’

In this article I examine three calls for Western support for girls' education in the ‘developing world’. Using transnational feminist theory and discourse analysis I look at three examples of these calls; Three Cups of Tea, ‘Because I Am a Girl’ and the United National Girls Education Initiative. I suggest that what Mohanty (1988) terms the ‘Third World Woman’ – a homogeneous, static image of women in the third world – is the spectre used to motivate Western support. Through representations of girls, Western viewers/readers are hailed to invest in order to save the girl-child from the haunting ‘Third World Woman’. The girl-child, through her particularity as a girl, her future womanhood as motherhood and her neoliberal potential, becomes presented as emblems of a better future with the investment of Westerners.