Lessons learned from implementing Indashyikirwa in Rwanda- an adaptation of the SASA! approach to prevent and respond to intimate partner violence
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study shows that harmful social norms in Rwanda—particularly those upholding male authority and the acceptability of violence to discipline women—are central to sustaining IPV. A key takeaway is that social norm change is achievable when interventions like Indashyikirwa create space for couples to redefine respect, power, and gender roles in […]
The doing and undoing of male household decision-making and economic authority in Rwanda and its implications for gender transformative programming
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This formative research shows that social norms in Rwanda—such as expectations of male authority, the acceptability of wife-beating, and women’s responsibility to endure suffering for the sake of marriage—play a critical role in sustaining IPV. The findings underscore the importance of designing interventions like Indashyikirwa to confront not just individual behaviors […]
Effective prevention of intimate partner violence through couples training: a randomised controlled trial of Indashyikirwa in Rwanda
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Indashyikirwa’s couples’ training effectively challenged and shifted harmful gender norms by reducing the acceptability of IPV, transforming beliefs around male dominance, and strengthening norms around mutual respect and communication. The programme demonstrated that directly engaging couples can alter relationship dynamics and foster broader social norm change, including promoting community action against […]
ENABLING GENDER NORM CHANGE THROUGH COMMUNICATION: A CASE STUDY OF A TRANS-MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT-EDUCATION INITIATIVE IN BANGLADESH.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This case study illustrates how an evidence-based, gender-transformative communication initiative can begin to shift entrenched social norms around child marriage in Bangladesh. Through entertainment-education and targeted community engagement, the project influenced personal and familial norms, even when broader community-level beliefs remained resistant. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning social norms […]
The effects of the integration of an economic strengthening and HIV prevention education programme on the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and savings behaviours among adolescents: a full-factorial randomised controlled trial in South Africa
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study underscores that social norms, particularly those related to gender dynamics, communication about sex, and financial decision-making, play an important but complex role in shaping adolescent sexual health outcomes. While the integrated intervention aimed to shift norms around gender and economic autonomy, the study found limited evidence of behavioral change. […]
The DREAMS core package of interventions: A comprehensive approach to preventing HIV among adolescent girls and young women
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The DREAMS initiative highlights how shifting harmful gender norms—particularly those that disempower adolescent girls and young women and condone gender-based violence—is essential for reducing HIV risk. The program uses community mobilization and engagement of male partners and leaders to transform norms around gender, sexuality, and power dynamics. Safe spaces and mentor-led […]
Preventing violence against women and girls in Bihar: challenges for implementation and evaluation
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The Do Kadam Barabari Ki Ore program demonstrated that interventions embedded within government platforms can begin to shift social norms around gender and violence, particularly when tailored to participants’ interests and accompanied by trusted community figures. Notably, efforts to build women’s agency, change male attitudes about masculinity, and equip community leaders […]
Breakthrough Generation Initiative Mixed-Methods Final Evaluation Report July
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The Breakthrough Generation Initiative demonstrated that systemic shifts in social norms—especially around gender roles, harmful practices, and community collaboration—can emerge from community-led, values-based education. The participatory approach of Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) created safe spaces for challenging entrenched beliefs and introduced a process of organized diffusion, enabling widespread norm change […]
Evaluation of Biruh Tesfa (Bright Future) for All: A program for out-of-school girls, migrants, and domestic workers in low-income Ethiopian cities
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The study highlights the importance of shifting social norms around education, gender roles, and child protection to improve outcomes for highly vulnerable urban girls in Ethiopia. Biruh Tesfa effectively engaged communities to increase girls’ school attendance and reduce harmful practices, especially around early marriage and household labor expectations. It shows that […]
Transforming gender norms through life-skills programming in rural Ethiopia: short-term impacts and emerging lessons for adaptive programming: Oromia case study
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The Act With Her-Ethiopia program in Oromia demonstrated that gender-transformative life skills education can improve girls’ voice and agency, parent–adolescent communication, and knowledge around menstruation and violence. However, the program revealed limited or even negative short-term impacts on attitudes toward gender equality, indicating that shifting entrenched norms—particularly among boys and communities—requires […]