The publication argues that current efforts to improve the well-being of men and boys of color are too fragmented, failing to account for the structural linkages between systems like education, employment, and criminal justice. It proposes a new, holistic framework that traces how structural conditions flow through multiple domains to measurable outcomes, such as longevity. Key reasoning emphasizes the need to treat 'place' as a fundamental actor and to identify successful communities where these populations are already thriving. Policy implications require shifting away from individual-focused interventions toward developing structural, place-based agendas that address systemic inequities.
When girls lead: Strengthening leadership pathways for rural and peri-urban girls in Zambia
English Summary
Despite national policies promoting gender equality, girls in rural and peri-urban Zambia face structural barriers that prevent their recognized leadership, even though they actively practice leadership in their communities. Research indicates that while girls possess leadership skills, institutional failure to formally define, track, or fund these roles—along with social barriers like peer discouragement and gender bias—constrains their development. To bridge this gap, the report recommends that policymakers align definitions, indicators, and budgets to make girls' leadership visible and accountable. Ultimately, strengthening leadership pathways requires coordinated efforts to expand practice opportunities and build robust support networks across schools, communities, and government levels.
中文摘要
儘管國家政策推動性別平等，但讚比亞（Zambia）的農村和城郊地區的女孩仍面臨結構性障礙，導致她們雖然在社區中積極實踐領導力，卻無法獲得被認可的領導地位。研究指出，儘管女孩具備領導天賦，但制度層面未能正式定義、追蹤或為這些角色提供資金支持——加上同儕的勸阻和性別偏見等社會障礙——限制了她們的發展。為彌合這一差距，報告建議政策制定者應使定義、指標和預算保持一致，從而讓女孩的領導力具備可見性和問責性。最終，強化領導力發展路徑需要跨越學校、社區和政府層面的協調努力，以擴展實踐機會並建立穩固的支持網絡。
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