The Influence of Organised Diffusion on Social Norms Change: Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Nepal
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study provides compelling evidence that organized diffusion can effectively promote social norms change around intimate partner violence in contexts where such violence is widely accepted. The intervention successfully disrupted harmful norms by facilitating the sharing of new attitudes and behaviors across social networks. Changes in gender roles, spousal communication, and […]
Qualitative research on Breakthrough ACTION’s Advocacy Core Group Model for integrated social behavior change programming in Nigeria
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Adolescent childbearing in northern Nigeria is shaped by social norms around early marriage, gender roles, and family honor. These norms position marriage and motherhood as expected milestones for girls, often reinforced by community and family members. Premarital pregnancy is highly stigmatized, especially for girls, while boys face fewer consequences. Changing these […]
Engaging Men in Family Planning: Perspectives From Married Men in Loma, Togo
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The study highlights that entrenched gender norms shape male engagement in family planning, particularly the belief that men should have the final say in reproductive decisions. These norms create barriers for women’s agency and complicate their autonomous use of contraception. However, men’s openness to learning and their respect for trusted community […]
‘Somali Women towards Economic Empowerment and Transformation’ (SWEET) Phase 3 Endline Evaluation Report
Key Social Norms Take-aways: While this study did not directly measure social norms, it provides evidence that media programming can shift gendered attitudes and challenge normative beliefs about women’s roles in the economy. Male listeners reported increased confidence in women’s business abilities and described changing views within peer groups about women’s rightful place being beyond […]
How gender norms and ‘good girl’ notions prevent adolescent girls and young women from engaging with PrEP: qualitative insights from Zimbabwe.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Rigid gender norms around sexual morality, obedience, and reputation prevent AGYW from using PrEP. These norms are enforced by families, male partners, and even health providers, limiting girls’ autonomy. Effective PrEP programs must go beyond clinical availability to address stigma, reshape community attitudes, and create enabling environments where AGYW can make […]
Small small quarrels bring about happiness or love in the relationships’: Exploring community perceptions and gendered norms contributing to male perpetrated intimate partner violence in the Central Region of Ghana.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Community norms often uphold male authority and justify IPV. However, resistance from individuals and local leaders shows that change is possible. Interventions should support these shifts by promoting dialogue and empowering women. Objectives: This study explored how gender norms and community attitudes in Ghana’s Central Region contribute to male-perpetrated intimate partner […]
Re-conceptualising gender and power relations for sexual and reproductive health: contrasting narratives of tradition, unity, and rights
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study reveals that gender and power relations among young adults in Malawi are shaped by competing narratives—tradition, unity, and rights—each reflecting different social norms. Traditional norms emphasize male authority and women’s obedience, but participants also expressed support for more collaborative (unity) or rights-based gender relations. The concept of “power with” […]
You can’t burn the house down because of one bedbug: a qualitative study of changing gender norms in the prevention of violence against women and girls in an urban informal settlement in India.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The study highlights that norm change is most promising where descriptive norms (what people actually do) are starting to shift ahead of injunctive norms (what people believe should be done). Programs should focus on creating spaces where women and men can connect with broader, more progressive reference groups, helping reinforce new, […]
A qualitative study of adolescent girls’ experiences of menarche and menstruation in rural Tamil Nadu, India
Key Social Norms Take-aways: This study reveals how adolescent girls’ experiences of menarche and menstruation in rural Tamil Nadu are deeply shaped by cultural codes and gender norms. While the study does not use formal social norms measurement tools, it explicitly explores how norms are constructed, maintained, and reproduced through social practices, especially those related […]
Changing the Script: Intergenerational Communication about Sexual and Reproductive Health in Niamey, Niger
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms discourage discussion of sexuality and FP with youth, but shared community values—especially protecting youth and promoting well-being—can be leveraged to shift behaviors. Objectives: This study explored how social norms and values shape communication between adults and unmarried youth about family planning (FP) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in […]