This factsheet identifies factors the factors that encourage and discourage boys from staying in school.
‘Push’ factors include: • Embarrassment of shame.
- Family issues.
- School punishment.
- Culture norms and practices.
- Peer pressure and personal issues.
- A desire by some boys to make money.
- Limited accessibility.
‘Pull’ factors include:
- Opportunities to participate in fun activities.
- Family support.
- Encouragement from friends.
- Positive teacher attitudes.
Findings from the study include:
- Girls in Kiribati lack knowledge about menstruation and reproductive health as they transition into adolescence and adulthood.
- Poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) contributes to girls being unable to manage their menstruation in Kiribati schools.
- It is often considered taboo for men and boys to talk about menstruation or interact with menstruating girls and women.
Key findings of the research note are:
- In 2010 the Pacific region lost 65 percent in potential human development due to gender inequality. But this average hides considerable regional differences.
- Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands have high gender inequality, but perhaps surprisingly, so do the Federated States of Micronesia and Nauru.
- Polynesia averages the same as high human development nations, with an average loss of 57 percent in potential human development due to gender inequality.