| Global health researchers and activists work hard to establish and disseminate the evidence-base of best practices to improve population health. This thesis examines national compliance with evidence-based and internationally recognized sexual and reproductive health (SRH) best practices for adolescent girls. The theoretical framework shows how ideological factors influence both national political and pragmatic dynamics, and impede the translation of best practices into domestic policy. Using this framework, this thesis examines the adoption and implementation of the National Youth Policy (NYP) in Barbados. Findings reveal that notions of girlhood sexuality, reinforced by notions of morality in a predominantly conservative Christian society, underpin pragmatic and political dynamics to impede SRH policy. The case of Barbados enables an explicit analysis of factors facilitating and impeding the adoption of evidence-based best practices and international norms in the critically important area of adolescent sexual and reproductive health. |
