 Second
AWDR Arab Adolescent Girl: Reality and Prospects (2003)
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.
The Report’s important recommendations for policy actions
include:
- 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.
 The report is available in English, French and Arabic.
 To download the Executive Summary of this Report click here. 
Contact us to order a copy of this report
To learn more about CAWTAR's Program on Arab Adolescent click
here
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