TY - JOUR
T1 - The Intersection of Power and Gender
T2 - Examining the Relationship of Empowerment and Gender-Unequal Norms Among Young Adolescents in Kinshasa, DRC
AU - Zimmerman, Linnea A.
AU - Koenig, Leah R.
AU - Pulerwitz, Julie
AU - Kayembe, Patrick
AU - Maddeleno, Matilde
AU - Moreau, Caroline
N1 - Funding Information:
Disclaimer: Publication of this supplement was supported by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Funding Information:
This study was conducted with support from the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO- World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a co-sponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation [ OPP1125119 ], the Oak Foundation [ OCAY-17-649 ], and the Packard Foundation [ 2017-66517 ]. Support for the Global Early Adolescent Study site in Kinshasa is provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation [ OPP1134835 ] and the United States Agency for International Development [ AID-OAA-A-15-00042 ].
Funding Information:
This study was conducted with support from the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a co-sponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation [OPP1125119], the Oak Foundation [OCAY-17-649], and the Packard Foundation [2017-66517]. Support for the Global Early Adolescent Study site in Kinshasa is provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation [OPP1134835] and the United States Agency for International Development [AID-OAA-A-15-00042]. Disclaimer: Publication of this supplement was supported by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
PY - 2021/7
Y1 - 2021/7
N2 - Purpose: To examine how perceptions of gender norms and expressions of empowerment are related among disadvantaged young adolescent boys and girls in Kinshasa, DRC. Methods: We included data from 2,610 adolescent boys and girls between 10 and 14 years old. We examined correlations between three dimensions of perceived gender norms (a sexual double standard, gender stereotypical roles, and gender stereotypical traits) and two domains of agency (voice and decision-making), overall and by sex. We conducted sex-stratified simple and multivariable linear regression models to assess these associations, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. We also tested for differences in the association between gender norm perceptions and agency by sex. Results: Correlations between gender norm perceptions and agency scores were low (under 0.15). Among boys, greater perception of a sexual double standard was related to more voice (p=0.001) and more decision-making power (p=0.008). Similar patterns were observed among girls for the relationship between sexual double standard and voice (p≤.001), but not for decision-making. Increased perceptions of gender stereotypical traits were related to more voice among girls (p≤.001), while conversely girls who perceived greater gender stereotypical roles had less decision-making power (p=0.010). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that gender norm perceptions and agency are distinct but related constructs. Interventions aimed to promote gender equality must consider gender unequal norms and gender-unequal divisions of power as important but different dynamics.
AB - Purpose: To examine how perceptions of gender norms and expressions of empowerment are related among disadvantaged young adolescent boys and girls in Kinshasa, DRC. Methods: We included data from 2,610 adolescent boys and girls between 10 and 14 years old. We examined correlations between three dimensions of perceived gender norms (a sexual double standard, gender stereotypical roles, and gender stereotypical traits) and two domains of agency (voice and decision-making), overall and by sex. We conducted sex-stratified simple and multivariable linear regression models to assess these associations, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. We also tested for differences in the association between gender norm perceptions and agency by sex. Results: Correlations between gender norm perceptions and agency scores were low (under 0.15). Among boys, greater perception of a sexual double standard was related to more voice (p=0.001) and more decision-making power (p=0.008). Similar patterns were observed among girls for the relationship between sexual double standard and voice (p≤.001), but not for decision-making. Increased perceptions of gender stereotypical traits were related to more voice among girls (p≤.001), while conversely girls who perceived greater gender stereotypical roles had less decision-making power (p=0.010). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that gender norm perceptions and agency are distinct but related constructs. Interventions aimed to promote gender equality must consider gender unequal norms and gender-unequal divisions of power as important but different dynamics.
KW - Adolescents
KW - Agency
KW - Empowerment
KW - Gender
KW - Gender norm perceptions
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.031
DO - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.031
M3 - Article
C2 - 34217462
AN - SCOPUS:85108886397
SN - 1054-139X
VL - 69
SP - S64-S71
JO - Journal of Adolescent Health
JF - Journal of Adolescent Health
IS - 1
ER -