一个女孩可以梦想：分析莫桑比克女孩和妇女的愿望、性别规范和影响者（英）2025

A GIRL CANDrEAMPublic Disclosure Authorized Analyzing Aspirations, Gender Norms, and InfluencersAmong Girls and Women inMOZAMBIQUE East Africa Girls’ Empowerment and Resilience (EAGER)is a World Bank regional program aiming toincrease girls’ and women’s educational attainment, labor earnings, and decision-making power in Eastand Southern Africa. The EAGER Evidence Hub conducts rigorous research to generate new evidence onwhat works to support girls’ and women’s empowerment and promote knowledge sharing in support ofthe EAGER program. Acknowledgments:This report was written by Alexandre Chauque, Sreelakshmi Papineni, AbhilashaSahay, and Sara Troiano. Anna Barbeta, Paula Gonzalez Martinez, Sakina Shibuya, and Luz Curazo providedexcellent research assistance. Aniceto Da Fonseca Matias led field management for the quantitativesurvey, and Sophia Friedson-Ridenour led the qualitative data collection. The authors are grateful to theGovernment of Mozambique, represented by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MJD) and the Ministryof Labor, Gender and Social Action (MTGAS), for their invaluable support throughout research design,data collection and analysis. This research series is financed by the Global Financing Facility (GFF), theWorld Bank’s Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality (UFGE), and the Norwegian Agency for DevelopmentCooperation (Norad). ◆Insights into Girls’ Dreams, Decision-making, and Community Influences.The surveyexplores girls’ and young women’s (ages 15-35 years) aspirations and the barriersto achieving them. It examines social norms - or perceptions of what is consideredacceptable in terms of women’s empowerment - both personally and within theircommunities. It also identifies key influencers in their family and community who shapegirls’ and women’s decisions. ◆Breaking Barriers is Key to Fulfil High Aspirations.Most Mozambican girls aspire toattain a level of education higher than what they currently achieve. However, somevulnerablegirls,especiallyinruralMozambique,donotevendreamoffinishingsecondaryschool. To have greater impact, education programs must go beyond resource accessand help shape girls’ aspirations by building agency, supporting decision-making, andengaging communities. ◆There is a Mismatch between Available Jobs and the Skills of Women.More womenaspire to public sector jobs in education and health than the market can provide.Many women are not aware of the steps needed to reach their professional goals.Career guidance and entrepreneurship support may help to align women’s goals withopportunities or help to expose them to other non-traditional sectors. ◆Restrictive Gender Norms are Deep-Rooted.Many Mozambican girls and youngwomen still accept traditional gender roles, believing men should have more rights andresources. Gender norms programs to both girls and boys must tackle these ingrainedbeliefs to empower women and create change. ◆Fear of Judgment Holds Girls Back.Many girls hesitate to pursue higher-earningeconomicopportunities in male-dominated sectors due to fear of communitydisapproval — yet the survey shows societal norms are more progressive than theyassume. Recalibrating their misperceptions about community support for genderequality can unlock empowerment. ◆A Supportive Family Environment is Key to Girls’ Empowerment.Mothers, fathers,and spouses heavily influence girls’ and young women’s decisions in Mozambique.Empowerment programs must engage these key figures, transforming them intochampions of change. WHAT IS THIS RESEARCH ABOUT? In Sub-Saharan Africa, multiple interrelated challenges hinderthe potential of girls and young women.1 Girls and womenare more likely to live in poverty than men, have less accesstoeducation and health services,and rarely benefit fromproductive economic opportunities. Restrictive social normsexacerbate material constraints by defining what is consideredacceptable for girls and women to do or not do. Policies andprograms aimed at empowering girls and women can help breakthe cycle of poverty and support this population in achievingtheir dreams. Knowing what beneficiaries aspire to is crucial to ensure thatprograms meet their goals. Similarly, vulnerable populations maynot have the information they need to match their aspirationswith opportunities that exist around them. Typically, vulnerablepopulations tend to under-aspire as the reality of poverty keepsaspirations low, making it difficult to break the poverty trap.3Listening to girls and women helps identify those circumstanceswhen they might need support to shape their aspirations. Recognizing that girls’ and women are often influenced by theirsocial environment, the research also interviews the peoplearound them, to compare girls’ aspirations and attitudes to theircommunity’s expectations and social norms, and to identifywho in girls’ circles of influence can be leveraged as an agent ofchange to support them in achieving their dreams. However, how often do we ask Mozambican girls