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Adolescent girl in class, Rwanda © Nathalie Bertrams/GAGE 2023

“I no longer have a hope of studying”: The Impact of gender norms on the education and psychosocial well-being of refugee girls in Rwanda

21.11.23 | Global

Bodily integrity and freedom from violence | Economic empowerment | Education and learning | Health, Nutrition and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) | Psychosocial well-being | Voice and agency

Authors

Roberte Isimbi, Marie Merci Mwali, Ernest Ngabo and Ernestina Coast

Adolescents are rarely considered as a distinct group within research about refugees, and relatively little is known about the lives and experiences of adolescent refugees in Rwanda. Rarely are adolescents’ perspectives, experiences and opinions sought, and their participation in decision-making [educational, economic, political] is limited. Our data are drawn from qualitative evidence collected in three Rwandan refugee camps from individual and group interactions with male and female adolescents, including adolescents who had given birth before age 20. Evidence focuses on two capability areas: education and learning and, psychosocial wellbeing. Gendered norms for adolescents affect educational outcomes and psychosocial wellbeing, and adolescent mothers experience multiple stressors to their psychosocial wellbeing.

Our evidence highlights the extreme vulnerability – with lifelong implications – of some adolescent refugees. Refugee adolescent mothers face exceptionally heightened vulnerabilities because of the social stigma associated with non-marital pregnancy and childbearing. Investing in the lives of adolescent refugees – particularly those who are pregnant or mothers – is likely to yield significant medium- long-term dividends in terms of their life chances.

Suggested citation:

Isimbi, R., Mwali, M., Ngabo, E. and Coast, E. (2021) ‘“I no Longer Have a Hope of Studying”: The Impact of Gender Norms on Education and Psychosocial Well-Being of Refugee Girls in Rwanda.’ in Jones, N., Pincock, K. and Abu Hamad, B. (eds.) Adolescents in Humanitarian Crisis. Displacement, Gender and Social Inequalities. Oxford: Routledge (https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003167013)


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