“He is suitable for her, of course he is our relative”: a qualitative exploration of the drivers and implications of child marriage in Gezira State
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Child marriage in this context is upheld by deeply rooted beliefs about gender, honour, and religion. Real change will require engaging religious leaders, men, and entire communities to challenge the idea that girls’ futures are determined by others. Programs must prioritize girls’ voices and promote their right to make informed choices […]
“It’s a 50/50 Thing You Know”: Exploring the Multileveled Intersections of Gender and Power Within the Relationships of Young South African Men and Women.
Key Social Norms Take-aways: The key social norms insight is that HIV prevention efforts like PrEP cannot succeed through individual targeting alone; they must address the relational context, including norms around trust, fidelity, and male control over sexual health. Transforming these norms is crucial to enable young women to exercise agency in HIV prevention and […]
Beyond the statistic: Exploring the process of early marriage decision-making using qualitative findings from Ethiopia and India
Key Social Norms Take-aways: Social norms around marriage readiness based on physical maturity rather than age, limited roles for unmarried girls, and pressure from elders and peers sustain early marriage in Ethiopia and India. Legal deterrents are often ineffective compared to strong social sanctions. Girls’ voice and agency are constrained, especially in socially vulnerable contexts. […]