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: 2013 report
Our 2013 report looks at how daily life involves negotiating a series of risks and hazards.
Real Choices, Real Lives: 2012 report
As the girls in our study turn six, many are now either attending a pre-school facility or are at primary school.
Real Choices, Real Lives: 2011 report
Our 2011 Real Choices, Real Lives report looks at roles and responsibilities within the family.
Real Choices, Real Lives: 2010 report
Our 2010 report looks at the lives and experiences of the girls in the light of the Millennium Development Goals.
Real Choices, Real Lives: 2009 report
Now in its third year, the study continues to follow the lives of girls and their families living in nine countries.
Real Choices, Real Lives: 2008 report
Our 2008 report has a special focus on the girls from the small West African state of Benin.
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