Real Choices, Real Lives Reports
Real Choices, Real Lives is a longitudinal research study following 142 girls born in 2006 until 2024, when they turn 18. We set up the study to gain in-depth understanding of attitudes towards gender within families and how these attitudes impact on girls' lives over time.
Every year, researchers visit the girls and their families to document and explore how the changing world around them influences their lives and personalities. This unqiue dataset gathers information on the social, economic, cultural and insititutional variables that surround girls' lives.
Researchers interview the girls and their families to uncover new and more detailed knowledge through the various stages of childhood. Read our annual reports below to find out more about important aspects of their lives.
GIRLS CHALLENGING THE GENDER RULES
2019 report
In 2019, we draw from in-depth analysis of 37 girls going through early adolescence in the three Sub-Saharan African Cohort countries: Benin, Togo and Uganda.
Our analysis shows that all the Cohort girls are noticing, questioning or rejecting expectations around their behaviour and roles in at least one area of their lives, from views about household work to what is considered acceptable female behaviour and future aspirations.
Our reports
Real Choices, Real Lives: Girls' Burden of Unpaid Care
This year our longitudinal research study has focused on the impact of unpaid domestic care on our girls’ lives.
Real Choices, Real Lives: Violence in Girls' Daily Lives Executive Summary
The Executive Summary of the Real Choices, Real Lives: Violence in Girls' Daily Lives report.
Real Choices, Real Lives: Violence in Girls' Daily Lives
This report looks at experiences of violence among girls and their families in the Real Choices, Real Lives study.
Real Choices, Real Lives: Ten Years On
Our 2016 report reflects on findings from the past ten years of the girls’ lives.
Real Choices, Real Lives 2015 Report
Our 2015 report further explores middle childhood and how gendered social norms affect girls at this critical stage.
Real Choices, Real Lives: 2014 report
Our 2014 report looks at middle childhood and the impact of the girls' relationships and opportunities.
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