초록/요약

Purpose: Using a socio-ecological approach, this study explored how girls, boys, families, and other community members accept social change regarding gender roles and the empowerment of girls in Uganda. A case study was conducted on a girls’ empowerment program, which was implemented by Good Neighbors International. Originality: Despite the emphasis on the importance of the socio-ecological approach in girls’ empowerment in previous studies, little is known about how each socio- ecological factor responds to empowerment empirically. Therefore, this study examined the girl’s empowerment concomitant process at a wider level by including actors at the interpersonal, community, and individual levels. Methodology: FGDs and observations within households and schools were conducted. In all, nine FGDs were conducted with a total of 55 participants, including 20 girls and 35 adults via theoretical sampling. A thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Result: The result revealed that recognition of the problem and adults’ resistance to change posed challenges. Actors at the intrapersonal and community levels paid little attention to girls’ issues and continued to interpret gender roles based on traditional norms. Tension and conflict existed between the girls engaged in the empowerment process and other stakeholders. Conclusions and Implication: The findings suggested that social change concerning girls’ empowerment and gender inequality should consider the haste, breadth, and depth of the issues, as well as adults’ resistance to change.