Education programs for out-of-school adolescent girls in Ghana, Kenya and Nepal: the effects on gender norms in decision-making and aspirations

This article examines the education and livelihood trajectories of marginalised out-of-school adolescent girls aged 10-19 participating in three projects in Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal. The projects supported adolescent girls’ transitions into education, skills training, or employment while addressing barriers linked to poverty, disability, early marriage, and harmful gender norms. Drawing primarily on qualitative interviews, the article explores how participation influenced adolescent girls’ agency and aspirations relating to education, work, and other life decisions within wider social and economic contexts. Findings show that while participation increased adolescent girls’ control over day-to-day decisions, many continued to have limited influence over critical life choices, including marriage and entry into non-traditional vocational pathways.