Key Social Norms Take-aways This study provides experimental evidence that changes in perceived inequitable gender norms among men can partially explain reductions in intimate partner violence. However, it also shows that such norms may hinder improvements in contraceptive use if not addressed. Social norms, particularly men’s perceptions of what their peers believe about gender roles, play a crucial mediating role in behavior change. Interventions that engage men in peer-based reflection are more likely to shift these norms effectively.
Objectives The study aimed to assess whether changes in perceived inequitable gender norms mediated the impact of the Reaching Married Adolescents intervention on reducing intimate partner violence and increasing modern contraceptive use among married adolescents and their husbands in Niger.
Methods A four-arm cluster randomized control trial was conducted among 1,042 husband-wife dyads in rural Niger. The study used inverse odds ratio weighting to examine whether shifts in husbands’ perceptions of gender norms mediated changes in two outcomes: past-year intimate partner violence and current modern contraceptive use. Gender norms were measured using an adapted version of the Gender Equitable Men Scale that captured second-order beliefs (what men think others in their community believe).
Intervention Details The Reaching Married Adolescents program was a gender-synchronized, community-based intervention delivered by trained community health workers. It included three components: gender-matched household visits to provide counseling on family planning; single-sex small group discussions for adolescent girls and husbands focused on health, gender norms, and communication; and monthly community dialogues involving religious and community leaders. Intervention arms tested each component individually and in combination.
Results The small group discussions led to a reduction in intimate partner violence, with approximately 2% of this effect mediated by reduced inequitable gender norms. In contrast, household visits and the combined intervention increased modern contraceptive use by 20% and 19%, respectively, but this increase occurred despite either no change or a slight increase in inequitable gender norms. In fact, norms appeared to negatively mediate the contraceptive use outcome in these arms, suggesting that individual-level engagement alone may reinforce male-dominated decision-making structures.
Conclusions Shifts in perceived gender norms among men are a plausible mechanism for reducing violence but may not always support improvements in contraceptive use unless interventions address underlying power dynamics. Peer-based approaches like small group discussions are more effective at shifting norms than individualized interventions. Future programs should prioritize norm change alongside service delivery to ensure broader and more sustainable improvements in gender equity and health outcomes.