Determinants of young People’s gender norm attitudes related to rights and equity in Southeast Nigeria
Outcomes: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Women’s Economic Empowerment
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Young people in Southeast Nigeria simultaneously endorse women’s empowerment and uphold entrenched patriarchal norms—particularly male dominance in household decision-making and social roles. Social norms are shaped through family structures, education, religion, and gender socialization, demonstrating that shifts toward gender equity require addressing broader social systems, not just individual attitudes.
Objectives To examine the determinants of young people’s attitudes toward gender norms related to men’s rights (decision-making, education, and social roles) and women’s empowerment in Southeast Nigeria.
Methods The study used a cross-sectional analytical design with 1,025 young people aged 15–24 across six communities in Ebonyi State. Data were collected through structured questionnaires using a three-point Likert scale adapted from validated gender norm tools. Composite scores measured attitudes toward men’s rights and women’s empowerment, with regression analyses identifying predictors of these attitudes.
Results Findings show that over 60% of respondents supported male dominance in decision-making, while fewer than 30% endorsed unequal educational access for boys. At the same time, more than two-thirds supported women’s empowerment. Key predictors of gender norm attitudes included gender, education level, schooling status, parental education, religion, and household leadership. Notably, higher education and maternal education were sometimes associated with stronger support for traditional male privilege, while males and urban youth were more likely to support women’s empowerment.
Conclusions Despite growing support for gender equality—especially in economic participation—traditional gender norms remain deeply embedded, particularly regarding male authority in decision-making. The study concludes that interventions must go beyond increasing education to actively challenge entrenched norms, engage both young men and women, and address family and community-level socialization processes to achieve meaningful gender equity.
Norms Addressed
Body
Decision-Making/Agency
Economic Opportunities
Education
Gender
Marriage
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