Qualitative endline results of the tipping point project to prevent child, early and forced marriage in Nepal
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Organized diffusion is essential for shifting social norms around intimate partner violence (IPV). This study demonstrates that interpersonal diffusion of anti-violence messaging can lead to meaningful change, particularly in communities with less equitable baseline norms. Social networks play a central role in facilitating this change, highlighting the importance of targeting interventions […]
Impact of Sumadhur intervention on fertility and family planning decision-making norms: a mixed methods study
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The Sumadhur intervention demonstrated that shifting entrenched fertility and family planning norms—especially around the timing of first births and gendered household decision-making—is possible through intentional engagement of multiple household generations. Although societal norms continue to pressure women into early pregnancy, the intervention catalyzed more gender-equitable attitudes and communication within families, revealing […]
“I got courage from knowing that even a daughter-in-law can earn her living”: Mixed methods evaluation of a family-centred intervention to prevent violence against women and girls in Nepal.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The study underscores that transforming gender norms within families—by working with both women and men, as well as older and younger generations—can create meaningful change, reducing violence and enhancing women’s empowerment. Objectives: This study evaluates a family-centered intervention in Nepal designed to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) by addressing […]
Effectiveness of Social Media-Based Intervention in Intention Change of Adolescents for Promoting Sexual Health Behavior in Western Terai of Nepal
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study highlights how social media-based health education interventions can positively shape adolescents perceived social norms related to sexual health behaviors. Although perceptions of other’s feelings towards a behavior (coined as subjective norms) were not the strongest predictors of behavioral intention, the intervention fostered a greater sense of peer approval and […]
Findings from a mixed-methods evaluation of a multi-level adolescent and youth reproductive and maternal health intervention in Karnali Province, Nepal
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The Healthy Transitions intervention demonstrated that gender-transformative programming at multiple socio-ecological levels can shift deeply rooted norms around early marriage, fertility, and gender roles. While notable progress was made in improving AGYW’s gender-equitable attitudes and family support for delaying marriage and childbearing, persistent social norms—such as son preference and stigma around […]
Unlocking the potential for engaging men to improve reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health in Karnali Province, Nepal
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The Healthy Transitions project demonstrates the potential of community-based, gender-transformative interventions to shift social norms around male roles in reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health in Nepal. By engaging men through relatable media, dialogue, and reflection, the intervention addressed traditional gender norms—such as male detachment from maternal health and harmful menstrual practices—while […]
Changing Social Norms: the Importance of “Organized Diffusion” for Scaling Up Community Health Promotion and Women Empowerment Interventions.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This article highlights the importance of “organized diffusion”—the process by which intervention participants intentionally share what they have learned with others in their networks—as a cost-effective strategy for promoting social norms change. Organized diffusion can amplify the reach and sustainability of community-based interventions by transforming both personal attitudes and collective norms, […]
Impact of the Change Starts at Home Trial on Women’s experience of intimate partner violence in Nepal
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study deepens the field’s understanding of how multicomponent communication strategies can influence gender norms and intimate partner violence in complex social environments. While the Change Starts at Home trial did not demonstrate a community-level reduction in intimate partner violence, it showed that intensive engagement through structured discussion groups can shift […]
“Change Really Does Need to Start From Home”: Impact of an Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Strategy Among Married Couples in Nepal
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The Change Starts at Home program shows that gender-transformative interventions can effectively disrupt harmful social norms that underpin intimate partner violence in patriarchal settings. Key shifts were observed in men’s attitudes and behaviors regarding alcohol use, household responsibilities, spousal communication, and sexual consent. The program’s success stemmed from creating safe, gender-segregated […]
Diffusion in social norms change about violence against women: A longitudinal analysis of intervention data from a cluster randomised trial.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study highlights the critical role of organized diffusion in shifting social norms related to intimate partner violence. The findings suggest that diffusion is particularly effective in communities with lower baseline levels of gender equity, where greater normative change is possible. By facilitating interpersonal discussions of intervention messages, the program challenged […]