An evaluation framework for high risk adolescent girls in South Asia COE/ISST/PWN Joint Project Sonal Zaveri, PhD Dublin, EES 2014

 Collaboration between network of evaluators, action research institute, network of feminist evaluators and civil society Community of Evaluators South Asia, Institute of Social Studies Trust + Feminist Network Positive Women’s Network India  Four field organizations  Buds of Christ Charitable Trust, Tamil Nadu  Jabala Action Research, West Bengal  Child in Need Institute, West Bengal  Asmita Collective, Andhra Pradesh

 Understand what are the gaps in interventions for highly vulnerable girls – (HIV+ or affected, children of sex workers, stigmatized)  Understand what evidence will enable decision makers to better plan interventions for highly vulnerable girls  Listen to girls’ voices using gender aware tools  Analyze our findings to develop evaluation guidelines for this group  Disseminate to decision makers in South Asia and seek buy-in

 Conducted sensitization and planning workshop in May  Four field organizations committed to collect field data  Formed an advisory group of feminist evaluators  Developed A Methods Guide of PRA adolescent friendly tools and interview guides for key stakeholders and family.  Adopted ethical guidelines  Piloted the PRA tools  Data collection ongoing  Prepare consolidated Report and draft evaluation framework/guidelines  Develop ‘USE” plan to disseminate findings and evaluation guidelines  Plan for dissemination to key decision makers

 Education limited by socio-cultural engendered barriers affecting achievement, aspirations and available options  Risk awareness does not necessarily lead to safer choices  Girls cannot perceive their own strengths nor envision a positive future  Girls’ lives closely intertwined with their mothers/family- addressing only girls in programs has limitations

 Lived realities reflect restrictive environments and lack of positive role models  Widespread discrimination and abuse (verbal, emotional) – contextual, linked to mother’s status  Early marriage closely linked with vulnerability; lack of support systems  High vulnerability is context specific and requires nuanced response; sense of hopelessness is high  Implementing organizations (in this study) increased their capacities about evidence gathering