A pilot intervention The Project in the Maldives shows the power of In a pilot intervention with 21 young girls aged 14-16 in the island of Nolhivaranfaru, in the Haa Dhaalu Atoll, the an aspiration-raising, World Bank - in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) - tested whether a stereotype-breaking five-day workshop with seven modules centered around workshop on girl’s soccer could have an effect on girls’ job aspirations, expectations, and tolerance towards gender stereotypes. expectations about Why soccer? We wanted to show female role models who had found success in a traditionally male-dominated their future, and that field. During the workshop, girls had one soccer training session per day led by a member of the female national of their parents. football team, and a total of seven skills training modules aimed at: • bringing female role models to light, • changing social norms, • expanding mental models, and • breaking gender stereotypes. A module with parents on social norms was also included (see box 1). Countries across the globe suffer from high rates Box 1. of youth unemployment and inactivity. The Maldives are not immune. Despite efforts by the government Workshop modules: to increase employment opportunities among young Maldivians, including the establishment 1. Social & Gender Norms, of employment quotas for nationals, results have 2. Growth Mindset, been underwhelming. Young people face barriers such as social and gender norms around women’s 3. Making and Problem Solving, role in society, absence of role models to look up 4. Leadership and Networking, to, and few jobs perceived as “suitable” for youth, 5. Career Information, Advice & Guidance, especially for girls. Parental control and influence on youth’s decision-making is strong, and depending 6. Basic Financial Skills, on the child’s gender, parents have different 7. Self-Awareness. career preferences. Given the small number of school age girls, it was not Lack of a job leads many young Maldivians to feel possible to randomize entry into the program. Thus, we disenfranchised, excluded, and perceived as idle and also collected data in the island of Nolhivaramu, located disconnected from the fabric of society. In the case in same Atoll, to gauge the effect of the program using of young women, they often see their options as very a difference-in-difference quasi-experimental method. limited, and end up leaving school, and starting a family, Although such a small sample can inevitably compromise at an early age. We set out to test whether we could the conclusions drawn from this pilot experiment, as change girls’ perceptions of their future possibilities well as prevent the findings from being extrapolated, we through a workshop with an unconventional twist – in a found valuable lessons from this pilot to inform future country were soccer is traditionally male-dominated, the interventions in the Maldives and other countries facing workshop was led by a female soccer player. similar challenges. The Results Young girls’ level of tolerance around gender stereotypes decreased. Our findings show that girls who attended the workshop became less tolerant of limiting gender stereotypes. For example, girls that received the training disagreed with statements that argued that educational and labor opportunities for boys were more important than for girls. Moreover, girl’s perception of the role women should have in the labor market improved. Girls agreed with statements that argued that women should work even if their husbands earned enough, and even if they have children. The set of options young girls aspire to, or expect to become, was broadened. Young women who attended the training and the soccer sessions were more likely to change their labor expectations. Specifically, they were more convinced about the possibility of getting their desired job. Moreover, we observe that girls significantly delayed the age they expect to get married. Targeting parents proved impactful. Parents who initially were skeptical and hesitant about their girls attending the training were invited to one session on social norms at the beginning of the workshop. Those that attended the session, expressed great satisfaction with the course and thought that it had a positive impact on their daughters. Policy Implications Expectations and aspirations, as well as gender In the presence of strong norms and perceptions in stereotypes, are not fixed, and require a creative approach. the community, interventions must target parents and Interventions addressing social norms and the lack of role other key members of the community. The intervention models have the potential to break mental models and worked in part because it targeted multiple stakeholders broaden young people’s options. For instance, exposing young – both parents and girls. Unexpectedly, the fact that it was girls to role models in non-traditional around soccer also sparked occupations can be key to changing Interventions addressing social norms the interest of boys, who asked mindsets and allowing young girls and the lack of role models have the whether they could also get to consider such occupations. One some of the training. By the innovative aspect of this intervention potential to break mental models and end of the week, the boys who was the use of soccer – typically a broaden young people’s options. were initially ridiculing girls male-dominated sport – and bringing for playing a sport for boys, a member of the female national football team to lead the were giving tips and helping in the final game. Thus, the sessions. These conveyed the message that women and girls inclusion and involvement of parents and other members can do anything they set their mind to, as the choice of soccer of the community is key to the success of interventions by itself was a break from gender stereotypes. for youth. About eMBeD The Mind, Behavior, and Development Unit (eMBeD), the World Bank’s behavioral science team in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice, works closely with project teams, governments, and other partners to diagnose, design, and evaluate behaviorally informed interventions. By collaborating with a worldwide network of scientists and practitioners, the eMBeD team provides answers to important economic and social questions, and contributes to the global effort to eliminate poverty and enhance equity. Stay Connected eMBeD@worldbank.org #embed_wb worldbank.org/embed bit.ly/eMBeDNews Last Update: May 15th, 2019