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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 22(3)

Empowering adolescent girls in Pakistan: development and feasibility of the Girls’ Voices Curriculum for advocacy and leadership

Komal A. Rahim A # , Zohra S. Lassi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5350-6334 B C # , Sarmad Muhammad Soomar D and Salima Meherali E *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Deans Office and Center of Excellence for Trauma and Emergencies, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74550, Pakistan.

B Robinson Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

C School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.

D School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74550, Pakistan.

E College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton TG61C9, AB, Canada.

* Correspondence to: meherali@ualberta.ca

# Joint first authors

Handling Editor: Somesh Gupta

Sexual Health 22, SH25010 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH25010
Submitted: 13 January 2025  Accepted: 16 April 2025  Published: 6 May 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Background

Adolescence is a pivotal stage of life, yet many adolescent girls in Pakistan face significant challenges due to gender inequality and limited opportunities for empowerment. To address these gaps, Rise Up and Girl Up introduced the ‘Girls’ Voices Curriculum’: a 10-week program to empower underprivileged girls through girl-led advocacy and decision-making.

Methods

Piloted in three suburban schools in Sindh Province, Pakistan, the curriculum was evaluated for cultural acceptability and feasibility through workshops with 86 teachers and school administrators.

Results

The findings highlight its relevance, cultural sensitivity, and potential to address adolescent girls’ needs. Ongoing efforts aim to integrate the curriculum into schools and evaluate its effectiveness in fostering gender equality, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Conclusion

This initiative holds promise as a scalable model for empowering adolescent girls in Pakistan and similar contexts.

Keywords: developing countries, girls’ empowerment, Girls’ Voices Curriculum, Karachi, Pakistan, sex education, sexuality education, teachers.

References

1  Sheehan P, Bruce R, Kim S, et al. Adolescents in a changing world: the case for urgent investment. WHO; 2024, 1–126.

2  UNICEF. Update on the context and situation of children: Pakistan. Country office annual report Pakistan. UNICEF; 2020. Available at https://www.unicef.org/media/102551/file/Pakistan-2020-COAR.pdf.

3  Ahmad S, Ahmad DA, Shair W, et al. Unlocking Pakistan’s youth potential: a comprehensive analysis of youth development indices and strategic alignment with the UN sustainable development goals. JPRSS 2022; 9(2): 80-95.
| Google Scholar |

4  UNDP. Gender inequality index (GII) Human Development Reports. UNDP; 2018.

5  Commonwealth of Learning. Join girls inspire at the women deliver 2019 conference in vancouver. 2019. Available at https://www.col.org/news/join-girls-inspire-at-the-women-deliver-2019-conference-in-vancouver/

6  Girl Up, Rise Up. Girls’ Voices Curriculum. A collaboration by Girl Up and Rise Up. Girl Up: Rise Up; 2018. Available at https://riseuptogether.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Girls-Voices-Curriculum.pdf