adolescents are able to critically address the gender roles and expectations they are exposed to and can benefit from learning new roles and expectations as they transition into adulthood adolescence is seen as a second window of opportunity to build on earlier investments or to change behaviour and provides new opportunities for those who have not fared well in childhood numerous efforts are being made to transform gender norms or rules that socially regulate gender roles and expectations and these can work alongside policies and programmes that enable women and girls to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to improve their health economic or social status