Feminist participatory action research (PAR) provides a mechanism for women’s voices to be heard, for communities to mobilize services for underserved groups, and for academics to engage in research grounded in action and service. Girls’ World was a PAR program whose goal was to decrease the incidence of sexual risk behaviors among low-income, urban girls aged 10-14, increase community awareness about the importance of girls’ development, and increase the likelihood of high-risk girls participating in skill building community activities. This presentation will 1) review the characteristics of feminist PAR (an approach to social investigation, an educational process, and a way to take action that addresses a problem) and feminist programming, 2) highlight community and academic challenges encountered in program implementation, and 3) discuss community and individual outcome measures. Programs such as Girls' World that address skill building and healthy development can bypass the abstinence debate and bring communities together in primary prevention endeavors.
Learning Objectives: 1. Become familiar with the goals of participatory action research. 2. Analyze solutions to common implementation problems. 3. Understand principles of feminist program planning. 4. identify three reasons why gendered program content is appropriate for girls
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Community Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.