Crossed the line’: Sexuality discourses of motherhood under 15 years in Uganda
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Motherhood under age 15 in Uganda is constructed as a violation of moral and social norms—“crossing the line”—through intertwined religious and cultural discourses that stigmatize young mothers and regulate their sexuality. These norms shape not only community attitudes but also policies and service provision, resulting in restricted access to sexual and […]
Inequitable gender norms and its associated factors among university students in southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study, 2022
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Inequitable gender norms remain widely endorsed among university students in southern Ethiopia and are strongly shaped by gender socialization processes, particularly among men. These norms normalize male dominance, women’s subservience, and acceptance of gender-based violence, with implications for sexual and reproductive health, access to services, and broader gender inequality. Importantly, attitudes […]
They’ll think you’re infected’: perceived barriers and facilitators of HIV/STI awareness and testing among young Rohingya refugee women in Bangladesh
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms—particularly those linking HIV/STI testing to immorality, reinforcing male gatekeeping, and embedding stigma through religious and community surveillance—are central barriers to care. These norms operate across levels, shaping knowledge, restricting mobility, and discouraging service use. However, norms are also malleable: trusted female health workers, peer networks, and faith-aligned messaging can […]
A Social-Ecological Model to Explore Multi-Faceted Drivers of Child Marriage: An Iterative Qualitative Study in Southern Bangladesh
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Child marriage in southern Bangladesh is sustained by deeply entrenched and interconnected social norms—particularly those linking family honor to girls’ sexuality, expectations of female purity and obedience, and beliefs about girls’ limited social and economic roles. These norms constrain girls’ agency, justify parental control, and normalize early marriage as a protective […]
The role of community-level men’s and women’s inequitable gender norms on women’s empowerment in India: A multilevel analysis using India’s National Family Health Survey-5
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Community-level gender norms—held by both men and women—play a critical and independent role in shaping women’s empowerment. Inequitable norms that justify wife-beating reflect broader patriarchal expectations and are associated with reduced mobility, decision-making power, and health knowledge among women. Importantly, the similar effects of men’s and women’s norms highlight that the […]
Social norms and maternal health information-seeking behavior among adolescent girls: A qualitative study in a slum of Bangladesh
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms strongly regulate adolescent girls’ access to maternal health information by reinforcing stigma, restricting discussion of reproductive health (especially for unmarried girls), and prioritizing family and community control over girls’ autonomy. Norms around early pregnancy after marriage, reliance on elder female relatives, and sanctions such as labeling girls as “immoral” […]
Contraceptive use intention and determinants among nonuser reproductive-aged married women in Ethiopia based on the theory of planned behavior
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms—particularly perceived approval from partners and communities—play a central role in shaping contraceptive intentions. Positive subjective norms, supportive partner attitudes, and community environments that reduce stigma and encourage discussion significantly increase women’s intention to use contraception, highlighting that shifting normative climates is critical for improving reproductive autonomy and uptake. Objectives: […]
Determinants of emergency contraceptive use among female senior high school students in the Akuapem south municipality, Ghana
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms—particularly cultural, religious, and moral expectations—play a critical role in shaping adolescents’ contraceptive behaviors by discouraging emergency contraceptive (EC) use despite high awareness. While subjective norms influenced intentions, they were less important than individual attitudes and perceived control in determining actual use, indicating that social disapproval creates hesitation but does […]
Using Vignettes to Gain Insights Into Social Norms Related to Voluntary Family Planning and Gender-Based Violence in South Sudan
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms in South Sudan strongly shape family planning (FP) behaviors through entrenched patriarchy, pronatalist expectations, and community enforcement mechanisms. Male authority over reproductive decisions and the expectation of large families restrict women’s agency and link contraceptive use to stigma, violence, and moral suspicion. However, emerging supportive norms—such as valuing girls’ […]
Determinants of young People’s gender norm attitudes related to rights and equity in Southeast Nigeria
Key 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 […]