A qualitative analysis of women’s reproductive agency and postpartum family planning in Maharashtra, India
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms strongly constrain postpartum family planning (PPFP) through expectations around son preference, limited female autonomy, and the perception of contraception as a sensitive and stigmatized topic. Women’s reproductive agency is often mediated by husbands and in-laws, with covert contraceptive use emerging as a strategy to navigate restrictive norms. Norms around […]
“Everyone has their own problems and realities so the religious community cannot judge someone.” Contraception motivations and perceived consequences among young contraceptive users who practice a religion in Burkina Faso
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Religious norms in Burkina Faso commonly frame contraception as sinful or unacceptable—especially for unmarried women and for limiting births—creating strong injunctive norms against contraceptive use. However, young women often prioritize their health, economic realities, and fear of stigma from premarital pregnancy over these religious prescriptions. Because contraception is viewed as a […]
Social Norms and Female Labour Force Participation in Bangladesh: The Role of Social Expectations and Reference Networks
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms around women’s employment in Bangladesh are shaped by social expectations within family reference networks, particularly the approval of fathers and husbands. Norms are not fixed; support for female employment changes when people perceive that others approve. Male family members’ attitudes are the most influential social cue, while peers and […]
“I will take PrEP because that’s what will help me not to get infected with HIV”: barriers to and facilitators of pre-exposure prophylaxis and condom use among adolescent girls and young women enrolled in a school-based HIV prevention program in South Africa
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms and gendered relationship dynamics strongly influence HIV prevention behaviors among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Condom use is often constrained by norms linking condom negotiation with distrust, reduced male pleasure, and potential conflict or violence. In contrast, PrEP offers women greater agency because it can be used without […]
Caregiver attitudes towards HIV testing and contraceptive services for adolescents in Tanzania
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms around adolescent sexuality, parental authority, and family communication strongly shape adolescents’ access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Caregivers widely endorsed norms that adolescents are “too young for sex” and should not seek SRH services without parental knowledge, which discourages independent access to contraception. In contrast, HIV testing […]
Situational context of home-based sexual education in urban slums of Ibadan, Nigeria–evidence from a qualitative study
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms—including expectations of abstinence, gender double standards, and cultural taboos surrounding sexuality—shape parent–adolescent communication about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in urban slums. These norms often limit open discussion and reinforce unequal gender expectations, while adolescents increasingly rely on peers, “streetwise” knowledge, and social media for SRH information. Effective sexuality […]
Child marriages in Senegal: Qualitative study on the perceptions of adolescents in Kaolack and Gossas
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Child marriage in Senegal is sustained by deeply rooted patriarchal gender norms that prioritize family honor, control of girls’ sexuality, and male authority in decision-making. Social expectations about preserving girls’ virginity, avoiding premarital pregnancy, and maintaining family reputation create pressure on families to marry girls early. These norms interact with poverty […]
Association between gender norms and attitudes towards abortion among very young adolescents in Kenya and Nigeria: a quantitative study
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Gender norms are formed early in adolescence and significantly shape attitudes toward abortion and sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Among very young adolescents (VYAs), beliefs related to sexual double standards, normative heterosexual relationships, and romantic expectations influence whether adolescents support or reject abortion. The study highlights that early socialisation into gender […]
Intention to switch from short-acting to long-acting reversible contraceptives among refugee women in Ethiopia: application of the theory of planned behavior
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms—particularly perceived expectations and approval from partners, family members, and peers—play a critical role in shaping refugee women’s contraceptive decision-making. The study found that subjective norms were the strongest predictor of women’s intention to switch from short-acting contraceptives (SAC) to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). This suggests that contraceptive choices in […]
Barriers to access and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among young Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social and gender norms strongly shape young Rohingya refugees’ access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Norms that stigmatize premarital sex, frame SRH as appropriate only for married couples, and prioritize women’s reproductive roles limit young people’s ability to seek information and services. These norms interact with age, gender, and […]