The HONOR Framework: Empowering Adolescent Girls to Address Violence

Session C

Adolescent girls worldwide are subject to various forms of violence, such as corporal punishment and sexual abuse inflicted by family members, caregivers, and school violence. Girls are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence, including sexual violence, exploitation, abuse, forced marriage, and human trafficking. While there is evidence that violence can be prevented, high rates of violence persist, and girls require empowerment and honor-based strategies to reclaim their power. Violence can have severe physical, psychological, and social consequences, making it crucial to address the issue. In this paper, we propose the HONOR framework. This approach combines Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Development Education to increase girls’ awareness and understanding of violence, promoting their resilience. The framework comprises five components: Honor, Outline, Navigate, Own, and Reaffirm. HONOR is most effective when implemented through SEL and Development Education, reinforcing each other and addressing violence as a power problem within relationships. The approach encourages intervention strategies that prompt girls to respond to violence and promotes a holistic understanding of inequality within supportive relationships.

https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/ahsra/2023/presentations/14