CAWTAR :: Arab Adolescent Girl

Adolescents represent 11% of the population of the Arab region. They are one of the social groups susceptible to armed-conflicts, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, gender and age discrimination.

The 2nd AWDR is the only regional study that illustrates the conditions of female adolescents in seven Arab countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen). The Report steers away from the classical view of adolescence as a period of crisis, and deals with it as a period of social and cultural construction. Uniquely, it bases the analysis of adolescents’ issues upon their own testimonies and views.

The report is a valuable source of information for individuals, institutions and agencies concerned with the interests and rights of Arab adolescent girls. It is divided into four parts. Part one is a conceptual introduction to issues concerning female adolescents. Part two combines the field studies’ analysis in six chapters: Identity and Self-Image; Puberty, Reproductive Health and Love; Family Relations; School and Labor; Adolescents, Culture and Behavior; and Attitudes and Values. Part three consists of gender disaggregated statistics, charts, and synopsis of human development indictors. The final part embodies conclusions and recommendations for policy actions.

Among the important findings of Report are: the current circumstances surrounding Arab adolescent girls are generally not conducive in terms of building their futures as autonomous individuals; Secondly, there is a serious lack of preventive health care and information on reproductive and sexual health in the countries under study. Third, Arab adolescent girls are ambivalent when it comes to participation in political activities. And finally, they are generally influenced by the norms of traditional society and share similar views of adolescent boys on globalization, fundamentalism and modernity.

Address age and gender-based discrimination in Arab society.
Adolescent girls’ initiatives should be taken into consideration in policy planning.
Reform national health programs.
Launch national awareness campaigns targeting parents, teachers, schools and adolescents.
Develop training programs for adolescents to cope with reproductive and sexual health issues and HIV/AIDS.
Update school curricula and by-laws to mainstream gender in educational practices.
Improve teaching methods on the basis of proactive pedagogy.
Formulate labor laws that protect adolescents’ employment rights.
Establish social programs to mentor adolescents to develop knowledge of religion and to acquire better understanding of other religions, which is instrumental for tolerance and peace.