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 […]
How adolescent motherhood is perceived and influenced by sociocultural factors: A sociological qualitative study of Sindh province, Pakistan
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The study shows that strong social norms surrounding early marriage, fertility, and women’s roles drive adolescent motherhood in rural Sindh, Pakistan. Girls are expected to marry soon after puberty and prove their value in the family by becoming mothers quickly—often by producing sons. Extended family members, particularly older women, reinforce these […]
Fear-based parent-child sexual health communication in rural southwestern Uganda: drivers and influences
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Fear-based parent–child communication about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in rural southwestern Uganda reflects strong social norms related to family reputation, gender roles, and moral responsibility. Mothers are expected to regulate daughters’ sexuality to protect family honour, while fathers often remain emotionally distant due to norms linking masculinity with authority and […]
Psychosocial determinants of parents’ intention to support reproductive health education in Ghana
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Parents’ intentions to support reproductive health education (RHE) in Ghana are strongly shaped by social norms, particularly perceptions of whether influential figures such as religious leaders, community leaders, spouses, and peers approve of or support the program. Both descriptive norms (beliefs about whether others support RHE) and injunctive norms (beliefs about […]
The comparison of comprehensive sexuality education knowledge and attitudes in CSE-exposed and CSE-naïve non-formal settings in Lagos State, Nigeria
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in non-formal educational settings can help shift social norms by increasing adolescents’ knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and promoting more inclusive gender attitudes. However, the study shows that deeply entrenched gender norms persist, indicating that sustained and more intensive interventions may be needed to meaningfully transform […]
Socio-cultural context of adolescent sexuality and youth friendly service intervention in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study reveals that entrenched socio-cultural and religious norms in Northwest Ethiopia strongly disapprove of premarital sex, discourage adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service use, and inhibit open communication about sexuality between adolescents and adults. While the study does not use formal social norms theory or measurements (e.g., injunctive or […]
USAID Zambia Community HIV Prevention Project (USAID Z-CHPP) Quarterly Report
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This project intentionally worked to promote protective social norms related to HIV prevention, gender, and sexual health, especially among adolescent girls and young women. It engaged cultural gatekeepers, traditional leaders, and male role models to foster dialogue on beliefs and practices that increase vulnerability to HIV, early pregnancy, and gender-based violence. […]
Exploring intersections of localised gender norms and unanticipated effects of a sexual and reproductive health intervention: implications of respect and being a ‘good girl’ in Zambézia Province, Mozambique
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study shows that deeply held gender norms about being a “good girl” — including deference, modesty, and sexual restraint — strongly shaped how a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) intervention was perceived in rural Mozambique. While the Women First program aimed to empower girls, it unintentionally reinforced local expectations of […]