Soft skills help girls grow up: practical results demonstrate significant progress

Group Submission Type: Formal Panel Session

Proposal

To date, the range of organizations that implement life skills education component in their programming for girls is indicative that a wider breadth of skills than those she learns in the classroom is important for her success, well-being, and empowerment. Yet where there is less consensus is in the identification of target skills, vehicles and approaches to implementation, and indicators and methods of assessment. This panel will present data and evidence specifically on how soft skills and life skills are advancing adolescent girls for the transition to teen aged life and then from teen years to womanhood. This evidence is based learning on collaborative partnerships, collective impact, school and community based sustainability, and stakeholder engagement innovation.

(b) Objectives of the panel : We will engage the girls’ education community in a collaborative exploration of these issues with the aim of developing a set of evidence-based guidelines and tools in girls’ programming for practitioners and key stakeholders in advance the multiple dimensions of girls’ education. Presenters will share recent results ,data, and challenges on effectiveness measurement and short\long term impact of soft skills combined with academic support improving girls confidence, skills and workforce development. The moderator will facilitate a discussion on how these findings can be integrated into existing or designs for new programs. The audience and panel discussion will identify data gaps for programming and research and what the CIES community can do next to fill those gaps.

Theory of Change and Framework: All participating organizations support a similar theory of change and framework toward girl education and empowerment. Each organization bring unique approaches and attributes that can be leveraged through this evidence dissemination and discussion. Recent evidence of outcomes include Increased girl agency and voice, Increased ability for critical thinking and problem solving, FInancial literacy including savings and business ideas,, Increased knowledge of personal safety, rights and services available. With the Long term Impacts of Economic Independence, Healthier lives, and Control of Life Decisions.
(e) Structure of the panel: This panel will consist of the Moderator acting as the stage setting agent for the follow on panelists. Each panelist will accentuate specific attributes, best practices and evidence of impact moving from inequity toward greater equity.

Sub Unit

• General Pool

Chair

• Nicole Haberland, Population Council

Individual Presentations

• Preparing Adolescent Girls For Teen Life Transitions:Direct Evidence of Successful Transitions - Patriciah Muigai, Asante Africa Foundation; Carolyne Sunte, Asante Africa Foundation

• Are life skills universally distributed? Can they be taught? Evidence from multi-country baseline analysis and RCT in India - Lucina Di Meco, Room to Read

• From Education to Employment: How Girls’ Education is the Key to Advancing Women’s Leadership in STEM Fields in Asia - Jane Sloane, The Asia Foundation; Elizabeth Silva, The Asia Foundation

• Integrating Life Skills Into Girl-Centered Programming for Systemic Change - Denise Dunning, PhD, Rise Up, Executive Director; Josie Ramos, Rise Up / Public Health Institute