Qualitative Research (Reality Check) about the Rapariga BIZ Program in Zambezia and Nampula in Mozambique.

Many girls and young women are still subject to gross gender discrimination and inequalities that prevents them from reaching their and society´s full potential. In response the first joint UN programme (UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN WOMEN) for adolescent girls in Mozambique, Rapariga Biz was launched in August 2016 and targets 1 million vulnerable adolescent girls with empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, leadership, citizenship and human rights with the goal to prevent child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

Stemming from the ethnographic research tradition and according to the program proposal for Action for Girls and Young Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Mozambique, the UN agencies plan to integrate a Qualitative Research (Reality Check) approach in the Program to complement its monitoring and evaluation efforts.  The approach is expected to:

a) Increase the understanding of the qualitative dimensions and factors directly and/or indirectly influencing the high rates of early marriage and early pregnancy in Zambézia and Nampula Provinces;

b) Generate evidence through the Rapariga Biz to build up a more strategic, focused, holistic and integrated approach to respond to girls needs and place the girls and young women at the center of their own development

c) Inform and influence the national discussion on girls and young women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.