Strengthening the voice and agency of disadvantaged adolescents
Chair
Kathleen Spencer Chapman – Head of Policy, Advocacy and Research, Plan UK
Speakers
Nicola Jones @njonesODI – GAGE Director and Principal Research Fellow, ODI
Phil Hanks – Partnerships Manager and Youth Technical Lead, Leonard Cheshire
Helen Stawski @stawskihelen – Head of Policy, International Rescue Committee
Faith Mwangi-Powell @fmwangipowell – Chief Executive Officer, Girls Not Brides
Silvia Guglielmi – GAGE Qualitative Researcher (VC)
Sarah Alheiwidi – GAGE Qualitative and Participatory Researcher, Jordan (VC)
Description
Adolescents are a driving force for development. If we are to deliver on the 2030 Agenda and ‘leave no one behind’, young people must be provided with the tools needed to reach their full potential. Particularly those who are disadvantaged and often face high levels of stigma, discrimination and exclusion.
In commemoration of Universal Children’s Day and the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, we discuss ways to develop and strengthen the voice and agency of disadvantaged adolescents. We draw on recent Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) participatory research findings on adolescent refugees, adolescents with disabilities and married adolescent girls.