Key Social Norms Take-aways This baseline study explicitly measures and analyzes both injunctive and descriptive norms across domains related to adolescent girls’ mobility, marriage, education, and decision-making in rural Bangladesh. The study defines and operationalizes social norms using structured survey items, capturing what respondents believe others expect of them (injunctive norms) and what they believe others do (descriptive norms). Findings show that both types of norms reinforce gender inequality and limit girls’ voice and autonomy. For example, most girls and boys believe that communities expect girls to marry soon after puberty and not speak up in family decisions. Descriptive norms around early marriage and household control further entrench unequal power dynamics. Social norms are also explicitly called out in Tipping Point’s program-level theory of change as root causes of child, early, and forced marriage. The program uses baseline findings to inform its norm-shifting strategy, which targets collective expectations, supports girl-led activism, and engages gatekeepers.

Objectives To establish baseline measures of gender norms, attitudes, agency, and relational dynamics among adolescents in project and comparison sites, as part of an impact evaluation of the Tipping Point Phase 3 program.

Methods The study used a mixed-methods design. Quantitative surveys were administered to 1,180 adolescent girls and 1,180 boys aged 15–19 in project and comparison sites in 2021–2022. Survey modules included agency, leadership, aspirations, mobility, decision-making, and explicitly defined injunctive and descriptive norms. Qualitative data were collected via focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with adolescents and adults to contextualize quantitative findings.

Intervention Details Tipping Point Phase 3 is a CARE-led, gender-transformative program focused on addressing child, early, and forced marriage through social norms change and girl-led collective action. The baseline report was completed prior to implementation and informs programming in Bangladesh.

Results Girls reported significantly less freedom than boys across all domains, including mobility, social participation, and decision-making. Both girls and boys held restrictive injunctive norms around obedience, early marriage, and gender roles, and perceived those norms as widely shared in their communities. Few girls reported decision-making power in education or marriage. Boys were more likely to describe themselves as leaders. Adults reinforced traditional expectations, and sanctions for norm violation were commonly cited.

Conclusions This study provides strong baseline evidence that restrictive injunctive and descriptive norms constrain adolescent girls’ rights and opportunities. The Tipping Point program’s focus on collective norm change, community engagement, and girl-led action is well matched to these challenges.