As social norms theory increasingly becomes the conceptual base for many initiatives, getting to grips with the social norms approach is becoming essential for communication for development (C4D) practitioners. However, it’s also important that the practice of developing and implementing a social norms approach does not stay in the realm of C4D practitioners only. To be really effective social norms approaches should be tools for as many change agents as possible
So how can we ‘popularise’ this theory and process without dumbing it down? How can we advance capacity development in social norms theory in a way that makes it useful for all of us?
Our ‘Beyond the theoretical: Visualising social norms theory’ paper focuses on how, in a small way, we at C4D Support and the C4D Network have been trying to do this through a number of social norms focused projects – most recently working with UNICEF Nigeria through a nationwide capacity development project on social norms approaches to counter violence against children.
Plus our C4D & Social Norms section offers a range of resources that offer a more in-depth look at how a wide range of local, national and global organisations are using C4D methods to challenge social norms across a range of development themes.
Latest C4D and Social Norms Resources and News
Social norms and women’s risk of intimate partner violence in Nepal (Social Science & Medicine 202:162-169, 2017)
The Effectiveness of a Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy in Changing Social Attitudes on Equal Rights to Property for Women – The Case of Kosovo (USAID Conference Paper, 2018)
Social Norms and Girls’ Well-Being: Linking Theory and Practice Report (Data2X, 2017)
Empowering adolescent girls in developing countries: gender justice and norm change (ODI Study, 2018)
Girls’ clubs and empowerment programmes – Knowledge to action: Effective action on gender norms that affect adolescent girls (ODI Research Note, 2015)
Enrol now for the University of Pennsylvania and UNICEF online course, “Social Norms, Social Change I”
Understanding Social Norms Underpinning Domestic Violence in India (Oxfam India Paper 2016)
Gender Socialization during Adolescence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Conceptualization, influences and outcomes (Innocenti Discussion Papers 2017-1)
Tackling intimate partner violence in South Asia: why working with men and boys matters for women (ODI report 2017)
Entertainment-Education and child marriage: a scoping study for Girls Not Brides (Center for Media & Health 2017)
Round-up of C4D Network UK Focus Session: Social Norms and their role in C4D theory (November 2016)
Shifting Social Norms to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) (DFID Guidance Note 2016)
