Psychometric validation of a novel community norms measure among youth, Eswatini Violence Against Children and Youth Survey, 2022.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study demonstrates the feasibility of directly measuring community-level social norms among adolescents and young adults rather than relying on individual attitudes or beliefs as proxies. The validated measure captures both descriptive and injunctive norms, uses the community as the reference group, and focuses on unequal expectations surrounding domestic labor and […]
Adolescent Attitudes, Peer Norms, and Teacher Corporal Punishment in Five Sub-Saharan African Countries.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Adolescents’ attitudes and their broader peer normative environments are important determinants of vulnerability to teacher corporal punishment. Schools function as “normative ecosystems”: when violent discipline is collectively accepted, it may give teachers greater social license to use it and reduce adolescents’ resistance or reporting. Legal prohibitions alone are therefore insufficient; prevention […]
Factors Influencing Professional Help-Seeking Intentions for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Among Female University Students in Eswatini
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms—particularly perceived approval from significant others (subjective norms)—are the strongest drivers of help-seeking intentions among SGBV survivors. Norms that normalize silence, stigma, or tolerance of violence discourage professional help-seeking, while supportive social environments can facilitate it. Shifting community norms and increasing visible support for survivors are critical to improving help-seeking […]
The DREAMS core package of interventions: A comprehensive approach to preventing HIV among adolescent girls and young women
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The DREAMS initiative highlights how shifting harmful gender norms—particularly those that disempower adolescent girls and young women and condone gender-based violence—is essential for reducing HIV risk. The program uses community mobilization and engagement of male partners and leaders to transform norms around gender, sexuality, and power dynamics. Safe spaces and mentor-led […]
Gendered childcare norms – evidence from rural Swaziland to inform innovative structural HIV prevention approaches for young women.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Entrenched expectations that women, especially young women, will shoulder childcare responsibilities without support reinforce economic vulnerability and risky sexual dynamics. Structural interventions that challenge the gendered division of labor, reduce economic dependency, and shift norms around caregiving are crucial to preventing HIV among young women in Swaziland and similar settings. Objectives: […]