Applying a gender lens to social norms, couple communication and decision making to increase modern contraceptive use in Ethiopia, a mixed methods study
Outcomes: Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways This study shows that community-based interventions targeting young men can shift harmful gender norms and reduce intimate partner violence (IPV). At baseline, participants across all three study arms expressed substantial support for inequitable norms. For example, 58% agreed that a woman should tolerate violence to keep her family together, and half agreed that a woman should obey her husband in all things. These findings highlight the deep-rooted nature of gender norms in the study context. The intervention’s combination of group education and community engagement led to significantly greater improvements in gender-equitable attitudes compared to the control group. Positive changes occurred across multiple domains, including views on partner violence, sexual behavior, and decision-making roles. However, not all shifts were uniformly positive—some norms, such as discomfort with men “acting like women,” showed regression. This underscores the complexity of addressing entrenched social expectations. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of sustained, multifaceted approaches that engage young men in critical reflection and challenge widespread gender inequities.
Objectives To assess the impact of the Male Norms Initiative in Ethiopia, a program designed to promote gender-equitable norms and reduce IPV among young men through education and community mobilization.
Methods A quasi-experimental design was used in three subcities of Addis Ababa. Young men aged 15–24 were assigned to one of three groups: (1) group education plus community engagement, (2) community engagement only, or (3) a comparison group receiving a delayed intervention. Surveys were conducted with 809 participants at baseline and 645 at endline. Views toward gender norms were measured using the Gender-Equitable Men (GEM) Scale, and IPV was measured with standardized items adapted from World Health Organization tools.
Intervention Details The intervention took place over six months. Community engagement activities included a public march, dramas, printed materials, community workshops, and condom distribution—reaching thousands. Group education consisted of eight peer-led sessions held in youth centers, using role plays, discussions, and reflection exercises from the “Engaging Boys and Men in Gender Transformation” manual. Activities were designed to prompt critical thinking about gender roles, violence, and relationships. The intervention was grounded in the theory of gender and power and implemented by local and international partners.
Results Participants in the combined group were twice as likely as those in the comparison group to report more gender-equitable attitudes. Reports of any IPV in the past six months dropped from 53% to 38% in this group. The community engagement–only group also saw reductions, from 60% to 37%. The comparison group showed no meaningful change.
Conclusions Programs that combine peer-led education with community outreach can effectively change gender norms and reduce IPV. Sustained engagement and attention to resistant attitudes are critical to achieving long-term impact.
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