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Empowering Adolescent Girls in Pakistan: Development and Feasibility of the Girls’ Voices Curriculum for Advocacy and Leadership

Komal Rahim, Zohra Lassi , Sarmad Muhammad Soomar, Salima Meherali

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a pivotal stage of life, yet many adolescent girls in Pakistan face significant challenges due to gender inequality and limited opportunities for empowerment. To address these gaps, Rise Up and Girl Up introduced the Girls’ Voices Curriculum—a 10-week program to empower underprivileged girls through girl-led advocacy and decision-making. Methods: Piloted in three suburban schools in Sindh Province, Pakistan, the curriculum was evaluated for cultural acceptability and feasibility through workshops with 86 teachers and school administrators. Results: The findings highlight its relevance, cultural sensitivity, and potential to address adolescent girls’ needs. Ongoing efforts aim to integrate the curriculum into schools and evaluate its effectiveness in fostering gender equality, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Conclusion: This initiative holds promise as a scalable model for empowering adolescent girls in Pakistan and similar contexts. solving, and leadership skills. This initiative holds promise as a scalable model for empowering adolescent girls in Pakistan and similar contexts.

SH25010  Accepted 16 April 2025

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