Key Social Norms Take-aways The MFF (Masculinité, Famille, et Foi) midline ethnography demonstrates the central role of faith institutions in shaping and potentially transforming gender norms related to family planning (FP), gender-based violence (GBV), and masculinities in Kinshasa, DRC. While participants were generally receptive to MFF messages, many continued to interpret gender equality as complementary rather than equal roles, and traditional patriarchal norms remained influential. Normative changes around FP and GBV are emerging but uneven, particularly depending on the level of engagement of faith leaders.

Objectives This study aimed to assess the midline implementation quality, community acceptance, and diffusion of the MFF intervention, focusing on how gender, violence, and FP were understood and discussed by young couples and faith community members.

Methods Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted between May and September 2017 in four intervention and two comparison congregations. Researchers used participant observation and informal interviews with faith leaders, gender champions, and congregants. Data were organized thematically and analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach.

Intervention Details MFF is a gender-transformative intervention adapted from Tearfund’s Transforming Masculinities model. It includes participatory workshops with faith leaders, small-group community dialogues with newly married couples and first-time parents, gender champion mentorship, congregation-wide diffusion activities, and linkages to FP and GBV services. It seeks to promote positive masculinities, reduce IPV, and increase modern FP use by shifting norms within faith communities.

Results Messages promoting gender equality, positive masculinities, and non-violence were more prevalent in intervention sites with high faith leader engagement. Some participants, especially men, reported transforming their views on women’s roles, violence, and FP. However, traditional gender roles persisted, with many viewing men as final decision-makers. GBV was recognized as widespread, though attitudes justifying violence—particularly when women used FP without consent—persisted. FP was widely discussed, and economic hardship was a common rationale for spacing children, but men often retained control over decisions.

Conclusions MFF is broadly accepted and shows promise in shifting harmful norms, especially in congregations with engaged leadership. However, patriarchal attitudes and unequal power dynamics remain entrenched. Greater consistency in message delivery and deeper engagement with male participants are necessary to reinforce social norm change. MFF appears to be an important first step in a longer-term effort to transform gender norms in faith-based communities.