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Your search keyword '"Melnikas, A. J."' showing total 4 results
Start Over Author "Melnikas, A. J." Topic marriage
4 results on '"Melnikas, A. J."'

1. Conceptual Framework of the Drivers of Child Marriage: A Tool to Guide Programs and Policies. GIRL Center Research Brief No. 7

Author

Population Council, Girl Innovation, Research, and Learning (GIRL) Center, Psaki, Stephanie, Melnikas, Andrea J., Haque, Eashita, Saul, Grace, Misunas, Christina, Patel, Sangram Kishor, Ngô, Thoai, and Amin, Sajeda

Abstract

This brief presents a simplified framework to provide key entry points for understanding which drivers of child marriage may be most important in particular contexts. Decision-makers such as researchers, donors, and program practitioners can use the framework to help design programs and policies tailored to these contexts.

Published
2021

2. Harnessing Data to End Child Marriage: Summarizing Learnings To-Date. GIRL Center Research Brief No. 8

Author

Population Council, Girl Innovation, Research, and Learning (GIRL) Center, Psaki, Stephanie, Makino, Momoe, Misunas, Christina, Soler, Erica, Zahra, Fatima, Melnikas, A. J., Patel, S. K., Haque, E., Saul, G., Ngo, T., Amin, S., Erulkar, A., Apicella, L., Austrian, K., Gundi, M., Soler-Hampejsek, E., and Kangwana, B.

Abstract

This brief summarizes key findings from five papers that examine child marriage and interventions to address it. While the findings from each of the papers are briefly noted, the brief focuses on the importance of context in understanding the drivers and impact on child marriage. Based on key findings, the brief offers cross-cutting recommendations for research and programs.

Published
2021

3. 'Then I will say that we have to marry each other': A qualitative view of premarital pregnancy as a driver of child marriage in Malawi

Author

Melnikas, Andrea J., Mulauzi, Nancy, Mkandawire, James, Saul, Grace, and Amin, Sajeda

Subjects
Malawi, qualitative research, premarital sex, marriage, adolescents
Abstract

Child marriage is common in Malawi, with 42.1% of women ages 20-24 marrying before age 18. Although global research on child marriage has increased in recent years, the reasons are context-specific and there is limited evidence on specific drivers of child marriage in Malawi. We explored pathways to child marriage in Mangochi and Nkhata Bay, drawing on focus groups (n=20) and in-depth interviews (n=39) with adolescent girls and parents of adolescent girls. We find that pregnancy often determines marriage timing and partner selection among adolescents, due in part to norms of adolescent dating or courtship and premarital sexual activity. Once pregnancy occurs, marriage is nearly inevitable even if the girl is under age 18. These findings have important implications for programs to delay marriage; programs must address weak motivations to prevent pregnancy and work to create alternative livelihood opportunities to foster economic self-sufficiency.

Published
2022

4. Community-based empowerment program to delay marriage: Results from the More Than Brides Alliance intervention in India, Malawi, Mali and Niger.

Author

Melnikas, Andrea J., Saul, Grace, Chau, Michelle, Pandey, Neelanajana, Gueye, Mouhamadou, Mkandawire, James, Diarra, Aissa, and Amin, Sajeda

Subjects
*MARRIAGE, *COMMUNITY-based programs, *BRIDES, *CLUSTER randomized controlled trials, *CHILD marriage
Abstract

The More Than Brides Alliance (MTBA) implemented an intervention in India, Malawi, Mali and Niger from 2017 to 2020. The holistic community-based program included girls' clubs focused on empowerment and sexual and reproductive health knowledge; work with parents and educators; community edutainment events; and local-, regional-, and national-level advocacy efforts related to child marriage. Using a cluster randomized trial design (India and Malawi), and a matched comparison design (Niger and Mali), we evaluated the effectiveness of the program on age at marriage among girls ages 12–19 in intervention communities. Repeat cross sectional surveys were collected at baseline (2016/7), midline after approximately 18 months of intervention (2018), and endline (2020). Impact was assessed using difference-in-difference (DID) analysis, adjusted for the cluster design. We find that the intervention was successful at reducing the proportion of girls ages 12–19 married in India (-0.126, p <.001). Findings in the other countries did not show impact of the intervention on delaying marriage. Our findings suggest that the MTBA program was optimized to succeed in India, in part because it was built on an evidence base that relies heavily on data from South Asia. The drivers of child marriage in India may be substantially different from those in Malawi, Mali, and Niger and require alternate intervention approaches. These findings have implications for those designing programs outside of South Asia and suggest that programs need to consider context-specific drivers and whether and how evidence-based programs operate in relation to those drivers. Trial registration: This work is part of an RCT registered August 4, 2016 in the AEA RCT registry identified as: AEAR CTR-0001463. See: https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/1463. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
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