Key Social Norms Take-aways This study demonstrates that inequitable gender norms are deeply internalized from early adolescence and are prevalent among youth in Uganda. Younger adolescents aged 10 to 14 showed significantly more support for inequitable norms than their older peers, indicating that gender socialization occurs early and rigidly. These norms, encompassing beliefs about male dominance, female submissiveness, and tolerance of gender-based violence, were associated with negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes such as early sexual debut and experience of partner violence. The findings underscore the urgent need for gender-transformative programming that reaches early adolescents before these norms become firmly rooted.
Objectives The study aimed to explore and compare gender norms among adolescents and young adults in Uganda aged 10 to 24, and to validate the applicability of a widely used gender norms measurement tool—the Gender-Equitable Men Scale—for use with younger adolescents.
Methods Researchers conducted a two-stage, cluster-sampled household survey with 960 participants (387 females and 583 males) aged 10 to 24 in urban and rural districts of Uganda. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire translated into local languages. Views toward gender norms were measured using the Gender-Equitable Men Scale. Factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and measurement invariance testing were used to assess the tool’s validity across age and gender groups, and bivariate analysis was conducted to assess associations between gender norms and key health outcomes.
Results The study found widespread support for inequitable gender norms across both age groups, with significantly higher support among 10- to 14-year-olds. For example, nearly 90% of the youngest participants agreed that a man should have the final word in household decisions, and over 70% supported a woman tolerating violence to keep the family together. Responses to the Gender-Equitable Men Scale were significantly associated with early sexual debut and experience of partner violence. The scale performed well for both younger and older adolescents, with slightly different item retention across age groups.
Conclusions The study concludes that inequitable gender norms are well established by early adolescence and linked to negative health outcomes. Programs aiming to shift these norms must begin earlier and address both boys and girls. The Gender-Equitable Men Scale is validated for use with adolescents aged 10 to 24, making it a valuable tool for assessing the impact of such interventions. Scaling up gender-transformative programming to include early adolescents is critical to promoting gender equity and improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes.