Jobs requiring high levels of social interaction have grown substantially over the last few decades, and employers increasingly report valuing social and interpersonal skills.
Study Description
Building on established negotiation curricula, we designed Girls Arise to equip girls with communication skills that enable them express and advocate for their preferences effectively. The curriculum fosters relational empowerment: the ability to articulate one’s needs while identifying opportunities for joint gains with negotiation partners and preserving interpersonal relationships. The program was adapted and evaluated among Grade 8 girls in Lusaka, Zambia, a population that often has limited bargaining power. The girls used their skills to negotiate with parents over continuing education, leading to substantial and sustained improvements in schooling outcomes over the three years following the intervention.
Curriculum take-aways
Built around the Principle of Me, You, Together:
- Me – identify one’s own interests and options
- You – identify the other person’s interests, needs, and perspective
- Together – identify shared interests and mutually beneficial trades
- Build – developing win-win situations