The Gendered Socialization of Very Young Adolescents in Schools and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Urban Informal Settlements in Nairobi County: Baseline Study Report

Abstract

Gender and more specifically, gendered beliefs, norms and socialization are among the key mechanisms that lead to poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes among adults as well as young adolescents. Besides the household environment, which is the primary setting for socialization, a large proportion of very young adolescents (VYAs) in most countries spend most of their time in school environments, making these the most appropriate settings for health promotion geared toward equitable gender norms and positive sexual health behaviors. It is against this backdrop that the study “Starting right in schools (STaRS): Gendered socialization of very young adolescents in schools and sexual and reproductive health” was designed.