Key Social Norms Take-aways The CHANGES baseline shows that while harmful practices like female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage remain prevalent in Somalia, there is a mismatch between people’s perceptions and actual behaviors. Many overestimate child marriage rates and underestimate opposition to FGM/C. This gap presents a key opportunity for social norms change—interventions must focus not just on changing behavior, but also on correcting misperceptions about community norms.
Objectives To assess baseline attitudes, behaviors, and social norms around women’s empowerment, child marriage, and FGM/C in Somalia as part of the CHANGES project evaluation.
Methods A mixed-methods baseline survey was conducted in early 2017 across 11 districts, reaching 2,581 participants, including women, men, and opinion leaders. The study collected data on gender roles, FGM/C, child marriage, intimate partner violence (IPV), and economic empowerment using structured interviews and randomized list experiments to measure sensitive topics.
Intervention Details CHANGES is a four-year, multi-sectoral intervention led by Save the Children, CARE, and IRC. It includes community dialogues, women’s savings groups (VSLAs) paired with gender discussions (EA$E model), and the CHOICES curriculum for adolescents aged 10–14.
Results FGM/C remains widespread, but the most severe forms are losing support. Many people privately oppose FGM/C but believe others support it. Child marriage is less common than perceived, with only 12% of girls aged 15–19 married. Women’s decision-making improves with economic participation, though IPV risk may rise. Norm misperceptions vary by gender, wealth, and geography.
Conclusions Interventions must address both behaviors and misperceptions to shift norms. Community engagement, gender-inclusive programming, and careful monitoring of backlash risks are essential to promoting lasting change.