Every girl deserves the power to shape her own life, to voice her dreams, and to take action to make them a reality. This power is called “agency,” and for girls in marginalized communities, it is a daily struggle and a hard-won victory. Here at Haiti Now, as we work to empower girls who have endured the hardships of the Restavek system, we are constantly inspired by their resilience. We see firsthand their incredible potential for agency, and we are committed to providing them with the tools and support they need to unleash it.
Recent research from the Brookings Institution’s Learning and Action Alliance for Girls’ Agency (LAAGA) sheds light on the critical factors that support or hinder a girl’s ability to exercise her agency. Their work, conducted with girls in marginalized communities across the globe, offers powerful lessons that resonate deeply with our mission in Haiti.
Lessons in Agency from Around the World
The Brookings research reveals that girls’ agency is not something that can be simply given; it must be nurtured and practiced. In diverse communities from Zimbabwe to Vietnam, girls consistently define agency as the freedom to make their own choices, to have a voice in their families and communities, and to take action to improve their lives.
Several key themes emerged from this research that are directly relevant to our work with Restavek girls:
- The Transformative Power of Education: Across all contexts, education was identified as a crucial factor in building girls’ confidence, communication skills, and ability to advocate for themselves. For the girls in our Residential School, an accelerated education program is a cornerstone of their journey to empowerment.
- The Importance of Role Models and Support Networks: The research highlights the vital role of female role models and supportive relationships with family and peers. In Feni, Bangladesh, for example, girls draw strength from observing other women who have successfully navigated societal challenges. Our mentorship program at Haiti Now is designed to provide this same kind of guidance and inspiration.
- Overcoming Systemic Barriers: Poverty, restrictive gender norms, and violence are significant barriers to girls’ agency. In the Karamoja Cluster of Kenya and Uganda, poverty was identified as the single greatest obstacle. For girls in the Restavek system, these barriers are compounded by the trauma of domestic servitude. Our holistic approach, which includes a safe house, mental health support, and economic empowerment initiatives, is designed to address these complex and interconnected challenges.
A Girl-Centered Approach to Empowerment
The Brookings research also emphasizes the importance of a “girl-centered” approach, which places girls themselves at the heart of the research and solution-design process. This is a principle that we at Haiti Now hold dear. We believe that the girls we serve are the experts on their own lives, and their voices must be central to everything we do.
In Zvishavane, Zimbabwe, the concept of agency is deeply rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu—the idea that “I am because we are.” This reminds us that a girl’s agency is not exercised in isolation, but in the context of her family, her community, and her culture. By creating a supportive and nurturing community at our Residential School, we are helping girls to heal from their past, to build healthy relationships, and to develop a sense of belonging.
A Call to Action
The findings from the Brookings Institution provide a powerful framework for understanding and supporting the agency of girls in marginalized communities around the world. Here in Haiti, as we continue to witness the devastating impact of poverty and exploitation on the lives of young girls, this work is more urgent than ever.
By supporting Haiti Now, you are not just providing a girl with a safe place to live and a quality education. You are investing in her agency—her power to heal, to dream, and to build a future of her own choosing. You are helping to unleash the power within her to become a leader, a changemaker, and a force for good in her community and in the world.
Citations:
- Brookings Institution. “Girl-centered methodology: Principles and practices for transformative research in marginalized contexts.”
- Brookings Institution. “From surviving to thriving: Lessons on girls’ agency in marginalized contexts.”
- Brookings Institution. “Perspectives on agency from adolescent girls in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe.”
- Brookings Institution. “Perspectives on agency from adolescent girls in the Karamoja Cluster in Kenya and Uganda.”
- Brookings Institution. “Perspectives on agency from adolescent girls in Lao Cai, Vietnam.”
- Brookings Institution. “Perspectives on agency from adolescent girls in Feni, Bangladesh.”
- Learning and Action Alliance for Girls’ Agency. (2022). Brookings.