Significant progress has been made in understanding effective care reform strategies. However, less is known about gender issues and care reform – or, at least, the information is not always easy to find. This article explores the importance of addressing gender in care reform and examines some of the key issues that might arise.

 

Why is it important to think about gender equity for care reform? Gender-equitable relationships in the home, supportive social norms in the community, and expectations and opportunities for all children of all sexual orientations and gender identities, so that children and adolescents can thrive and reach their potential.

 

Gender inequities and harmful gender norms underpin some of the risk factors that underlie separation of children of all sexual orientations and gender identities from their families. Here are some of the gendered risk factors that we have come across in our work or in the literature:

• Gender norms such as lower pay, stigma, and lack of support can make it harder for female caregivers, especially single women, divorced women, elderly grandmothers, adolescent mothers, to provide for their child/ren and can put them at risk for placing them in alternative care;
• Gender norms that incline boys to get in conflict with the law and/or girls into early sexual activities, leading to boys encountering the criminal justice system and being placed in juvenile detention or girls being separated and placed in alternative care;
• Gender-based violence in the home leading to family dysfunction and breakdown, resulting in children being placed in protective care;
• Taboos and stigmas against children and adolescents who do not conform to local gender norms leading to children leaving their families/homes and communities or violence against children.

Gender issues must form part of the care reform system strengthening approach. The care reform workforce may depend on unpaid female labor or on people who are not trained in identifying and addressing gender-based violence or other harms because of unequal gender norms.

 

Some examples of integration of a gender equity perspective in care reform programming include:

• Case management systems that support the needs of children and caregivers of all gender identities. Child and family assessments and support plans consider gender sensitive dynamics. Families receive counselling, coaching to improve communication, parenting education, other support, and referrals, which might include referrals for gender-based violence services.
• Promotion of gender equity in family resource management and child care responsibilities through inclusive family strengthening approaches and programming like:
  • Financial literacy classes that encourage dialogue and joint decision-making between caregivers, discussions of the specific risks children face because of their gender, such as access to education, the risk of child marriage, FGM/C, or child labor;
  • Savings and loans associations or similar, providing a safe place for households to save and borrow to increase their income and resilience and increase economic inclusion – introducing a reflection on shared child care and addressing family violence are important;
  • Parenting programs that involve both female and male caregivers are important in terms of practicing healthy family communication and bringing equity to child rearing tasks within the family. They are found to reduce the risk of family violence, which is often gender based. Positive parenting groups encourage reflection on how children of all genders are cared for, focus on the positive contribution of men and women to family life, and encourage girls’ education and protection from harm in contexts where gender norms may be especially harmful towards girls.  

Adolescent pregnancy in Angola is not merely a health concern but a complex social issue deeply intertwined with gender norms and inequalities. Statistical data from the Multiple Indicator and Health Survey (2015-2016) reveals alarming figures, with 29 percent of adolescents aged 15 to 19 already mothers and only 9 percent using modern contraceptive methods. These statistics underscore the urgent need to address the underlying factors driving adolescent pregnancy, particularly through a gender lens.

 

Gender norms exert a profound influence on adolescent pregnancy rates in Angola, perpetuating traditional expectations and restricting women's autonomy. In rural areas, where gender roles are deeply entrenched, women's participation in domestic roles is prioritized, hindering their access to education and sexual and reproductive health services. Moreover, restrictive gender norms often dictate women's decision-making power regarding contraception, further exacerbating the risk of unintended pregnancies.

 

For young men, masculinity is often associated with financial prowess and virility, fostering a culture of competition and reluctance to engage in discussions about sexuality. This societal pressure on men to assert their masculinity contributes to a lack of responsibility in sexual relationships and perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes.

 

The impact of gender norms extends beyond individual behavior to institutional and societal levels, influencing access to sexual and reproductive health services. 

Existing health services in Angola lack a specific focus on adolescents, resulting in a shortage of adolescent-friendly services. Teenage mothers face numerous barriers in accessing healthcare, including inconsistent quality of care and reported instances of mistreatment by healthcare providers. Moreover, prevailing gender norms dictate societal attitudes towards adolescent pregnancy, with pregnant adolescents often facing discrimination and social exclusion.

 

Education plays a crucial role in addressing adolescent pregnancy, yet the impact of gender norms on education is profound. Adolescent pregnancy often leads to school dropout, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and limited opportunities for young mothers. Discriminatory attitudes towards pregnant teenagers further compound the challenges they face in accessing education and social support systems.

 

To address adolescent pregnancy effectively, it is imperative to adopt a comprehensive and gender-sensitive approach. Public policies must prioritize sexuality education, gender equity, and access to quality sexual and reproductive health services. Moreover, efforts to challenge traditional gender norms and empower women and girls are essential to creating an environment conducive to preventing adolescent pregnancy. Engaging men and boys in conversations about gender equality and reproductive health is equally critical in fostering supportive and equitable relationships.

 

 

This article builds on the result of research that Maestral carried out in partnership with UNICEF Angola in 2023 to develop a comprehensive framework to prevent adolescent pregnancy in Angola.