Education promoting girls' sexual and reproductive health and rights in rural Malawi
Kyrö, Suvi (2020)
Kyrö, Suvi
2020
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202005047146
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202005047146
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ABSTRACT
Kyrö, Suvi.
Education promoting girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights in rural Malawi.
71 p., 2 appendices.
Spring, 2020.
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences,
Degree Programme in Social Services and Health Care.
Bachelor of Social Services.
The purpose of this thesis was to assess the girls’ empowerment, and their knowledge and attitudes regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights in their living environments in rural Malawi. The study observed and collected information on how lacking quality education and cultural traditions increasing inequality are limiting the possibilities of comprehensive agency of girls and women in schools and communities. Also it explored the effects of a development project which aims to empower girls and build capacity in communities to support girls’ education.
The thesis was carried out with mixed methods; data triangulation and method triangulation. The data was collected in 2018 and includes literature review, questionnaire, interviews and verbal declarations. The thesis was focused on the subjective experience of empowerment of female learners and determine the sexual and reproductive health and rights friendliness of local schools. The data collected was compared between corresponding schools in and out the project.
According to the findings of the study, the experienced empowerment among the female learners is higher in non-project schools. The learners at project schools had more knowledge of condom use and contraceptives. Overall, the project has not made a big impact on female learners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on studied divisions. Project has not managed to raise the subjective feel of empowerment. However, it is important to remember this study is not comprehensive assessment of the outcomes and does not include all project regions.
Conclusion is that comprehensive sexuality education is much needed in rural Malawi. Teachers are lacking knowledge, training and materials, and they openly share their beliefs and misconceptions. Further measures are needed to train teachers on scientifically accurate information as well as on their personal attitudes and values and indent the teachers to project objectives.
Keywords: sexuality education, human sexual rights, Malawi, outcome assessment, human rights, cultural competence, girls’ empowerment
Kyrö, Suvi.
Education promoting girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights in rural Malawi.
71 p., 2 appendices.
Spring, 2020.
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences,
Degree Programme in Social Services and Health Care.
Bachelor of Social Services.
The purpose of this thesis was to assess the girls’ empowerment, and their knowledge and attitudes regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights in their living environments in rural Malawi. The study observed and collected information on how lacking quality education and cultural traditions increasing inequality are limiting the possibilities of comprehensive agency of girls and women in schools and communities. Also it explored the effects of a development project which aims to empower girls and build capacity in communities to support girls’ education.
The thesis was carried out with mixed methods; data triangulation and method triangulation. The data was collected in 2018 and includes literature review, questionnaire, interviews and verbal declarations. The thesis was focused on the subjective experience of empowerment of female learners and determine the sexual and reproductive health and rights friendliness of local schools. The data collected was compared between corresponding schools in and out the project.
According to the findings of the study, the experienced empowerment among the female learners is higher in non-project schools. The learners at project schools had more knowledge of condom use and contraceptives. Overall, the project has not made a big impact on female learners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on studied divisions. Project has not managed to raise the subjective feel of empowerment. However, it is important to remember this study is not comprehensive assessment of the outcomes and does not include all project regions.
Conclusion is that comprehensive sexuality education is much needed in rural Malawi. Teachers are lacking knowledge, training and materials, and they openly share their beliefs and misconceptions. Further measures are needed to train teachers on scientifically accurate information as well as on their personal attitudes and values and indent the teachers to project objectives.
Keywords: sexuality education, human sexual rights, Malawi, outcome assessment, human rights, cultural competence, girls’ empowerment