Engaging boys as “Structured Allies” to prevent gender-based violence against girls: Results from the CARE Tipping Point Initiative in Nepal
Outcomes: Child, Early, and Forced Marriage, Gender‑Based Violence
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways The study underscores that harmful gender norms—particularly those that normalize male dominance, tolerate sexual harassment, and restrict girls’ agency—are key drivers of sexual bullying and gender harassment (SBGH) in Nepal. Transforming these norms requires engaging boys not just as individuals but as “structured allies” within communities to shift both injunctive norms (what is expected) and descriptive norms (what is practiced). However, the findings suggest that norm change may initially manifest as increased awareness and social desirability in reporting, rather than clear behavioral change. This highlights the complexity of measuring social norms change and the importance of capturing bystander behaviors, motivation, and accountability in addition to attitudes.
Objectives The study evaluates whether the CARE Tipping Point Initiative (TPI), which engages boys as structured allies in girl-centered, community-based programming, reduces adolescent boys’ reports of witnessing sexual bullying and gender harassment against girls in Nepal.
Methods A community-based cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in Kapilvastu and Rupandehi districts, Nepal, with 1,154 unmarried boys aged 12–16 at baseline and 1,143 retained at follow-up. Participants were assigned to either a standard program (TPP), an enhanced social norms intervention (TPP+), or a control group. Quantitative survey data captured boys’ reports of ever witnessing non-contact and contact forms of SBGH. Social norms were measured at the community level using aggregated gender norms scales and were embedded in the intervention design, which aimed to shift norms through multi-level engagement (peers, families, leaders). Difference-in-difference regression models assessed program effects.
Results At baseline, a majority of boys reported witnessing SBGH, indicating high prevalence. Over time, reports of witnessing non-contact harassment increased (driven by increased reporting of written harassment), while reports of contact harassment declined, though some trends appeared implausible due to reporting bias. Adjusted analyses showed that boys in the TPP+ group reported significantly fewer non-contact harassment incidents compared to controls. However, findings suggest this may reflect increased awareness and social desirability bias—leading boys to underreport behaviors perceived as unacceptable—rather than true reductions in behavior. No significant effects were observed for the standard TPP intervention.
Conclusions The study concludes that engaging boys as structured allies within community-based, social norms interventions has potential but produces complex and difficult-to-interpret outcomes. While the enhanced intervention (TPP+) influenced reporting patterns, it did not clearly demonstrate reductions in harmful behaviors. Future research should incorporate more direct measures of norms change, including bystander intervention, self-efficacy, and behavior, to better capture how shifting social norms translates into meaningful reductions in violence against girls.
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