A BRIDGE TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE Impact Evaluation of the Aflateen+ Program in Tajikistan RAMESH SINGH, Mercy Corps Tajikistan

OVERVIEW 1.About Aflateen+ in Tajikistan 2.Introduction to the issue of Early Marriage in Tajikistan 3.How the efficacy of Aflateen+ was tested 4.Key Findings 5.Conclusions A Bridge to a Brighter Future

Aflateen+ in Tajikistan Aflateen+ was implemented as a pilot in , where it reached 2,030 girls in 30 schools - covering 2 districts in Tajikistan. A Bridge to a Brighter Future

OUR MISSION A curriculum that provides girls (13-18 years) with Social and Financial Education AND raises awareness about Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights among them. A Bridge to a Brighter Future What is Alfateen+?

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future In Tajikistan, One in four women aged 25 to 29 years marries before 18 years of age. (Tajikistan MICS, 2005)

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future Marriage often ends girls’… Childhood Access to education Opportunities for paid work outside the home Opportunities for decision making roles in their communities Having an own voice in their lives

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future Girls are at risk of… Dying in childbirth Becoming infected with HIV/AIDS Suffering domestic violence Dropping out of school More likely to live in poverty

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future Implement Aflateen+ in Schools…

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future Cluster Randomized Control Trial (RCT)

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future WHAT WORKED? Aflateen+ had significant positive impact on… Girls‘ knowledge of reproductive health practices and HIV Girls’ sense of agency Girls’ frequency of savings Girls’ propensity toward entrepreneurship and plans for pursuing a career

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future Girls who placed higher importance on saving were over 50% more likely to have higher aspirations for their education, work and personal life. Implication of Saving Behavior for Future Plans

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future Aflateen+ had the greatest impact on girls from upper grades and whose fathers had higher levels of education. They are more likely to translate the knowledge and life-skills imparted through Aflateen+ into negotiation skills to take more control over their lives, bodies, and futures. Implication of Self-agency for Sexual Relations

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future WHAT DIDN’T WORK? Program had no effects on… The strength of girls’ social networks Girls’ expected or ideal age of marriage and childbirth

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future CONCLUSIONS Aflateen+ in Tajikistan has potential to... Help girls to gain life-skills needed to improve their lives Strengthen girls’ self-confidence Motivate girls to pursue a career Positively affect their reproductive health and economic situation on the long-run For future implementations… Engage boys, collaborate with gatekeepers, and public authorities in understanding Aflateen+ to influence change

OUR MISSION A Bridge to a Brighter Future CONTACT Country Director, Tajikistan Ramesh Singh