Engaging Girls in Civic Life: Challenges and Opportunities1
Yvette Daniel, S. Nombuso Dlamini, Jennifer Stanton, Natasha Koustova

Abstract
This article highlights findings from the first stage of a three-year project that explores how young women and girls engage in leadership and civic activities in the new urban environment. This study utilizes a qualitative action research method that includes youth interviews, forums, and an intervention action component. The findings reported in this paper are drawn from interviews conducted by specially trained participants who led conversations with their adolescent female peers about their conceptualization of leadership and civic activities. Our analysis of the peer interviews found that girls’ conceptualizations and experience with leadership and civic engagement was linked to existing gender, cultural, and ethnic stereotypes.

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