The ‘Demand Side’ of Child Marriage: Expanding Gender Norms to Marriage Drivers Facing Boys and Men in South Sudan
Outcomes: Child, Early, and Forced Marriage, Gender‑Based Violence
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Child marriage persists due to dual gender norms—those controlling girls’ sexuality and those pressuring boys to marry to be seen as men. Addressing both is key to reducing the practice.
Objectives This study examines the underexplored ‘demand side’ of child marriage in South Sudan, focusing on how gender norms and economic pressures influence boys’ and men’s roles in sustaining the practice.
Methods Using a mixed-methods gender assessment by Save the Children, researchers collected data from 566 surveys, 253 focus group participants, and 64 key informants across five regions. Gender norms were assessed through Likert-scale questions and qualitative narratives.
Results Child marriage is perpetuated by gender norms that value girls for early marriage, virginity, and childbearing, and expect boys to prove manhood through paying bride price—often leading to cattle raiding. These pressures create cycles of violence and poverty.
Conclusions Efforts to address child marriage must engage boys and men and recognize the societal pressures they face, expanding beyond girl-focused interventions.
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