Meeting of the Coalition for Adolescent Girls

Posted by Ann Wang - Communications Specialist

So where do men and boys fit in when it comes to gender equity? 

These were the questions discussed at a recent meeting of the Coalition for Adolescent Girls – which includes Plan International USA and more than 30 international organizations that design, implement, and evaluate programs that benefit girls throughout the developing world who are trapped in cycles of poverty.




As part of the quarterly gathering, representatives from various organizations shared best practices and resources around topics such as diving deep into programmatic approaches engaging men and boys throughout the life cycle; learning about the Together for Girls initiative to prevent sexual violence against girls; and exploring current issues affecting the work of meeting adolescent girls’ needs globally with presentations on current work from coalition members.

Much of the discussion aligned with Plan’s 2011 Because I am a Girl report, aptly entitled “So, what about boys?” Coalition members – and this most recent State of the World’s Girls study – recognize that gender equity cannot be achieved without the active participation of men and boys – that they play an important and decisive role in the lives of girls.

According to Christine Sow, Plan’s Vice President for International Programs, “a new perspective on gender must be about a more productive way of viewing power relationships to the benefit of both sexes. It is this message that the 5th edition of the Because I am a Girl series hopes to promote through its examination from a global perspective of gender dynamics and the question of boys.




Sections include an analysis of the current global context of gender dynamics, the balance between the sexes within the home and institutions; the complexities of adolescence; and the transition to adulthood.”

Programming approaches must continue to shift from a focus on women to encompassing both men and women and how they influence each other – even from a young age. Without taking into consideration boys’ and men’s perspectives and including them in program interventions, we can never hope to make the impact needed for sustainable change – so entire communities understand how everyone can benefit from a balanced gender approach.


Read the full Because I am a Girl Report: “So, What About Boys?”

Text: 'PLAN GIRLS' to 85944 to Donate $10 instantly to the Because I am a Girl Campaign!

Ann Wang

Senior Writer / Comms Specialist

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