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ALIGN webinar: cross-country perspectives on gender norms

The Advancing Learning and Innovation on Gender Norms (ALIGN) project, led by ODI and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a new initiative connecting those working on social and gender norms across a range of sectors and issues. Its aim is to further knowledge sharing and innovation to ensure evidence and learning on norm change informs more effective policy and practice.

This webinar introduces the ALIGN platform and discusses some of the key debates and concepts shaping cutting-edge development work on addressing harmful gender norms. Drawing from ODI’s research on gender norms alongside the experiences of projects in Uganda and India, the panel discusses: What are the key concepts and evidence for understanding gender norm change? How can programmes better respond to emerging evidence and context-specific dimensions of gender norms? What challenges, opportunities and learnings can be drawn from projects in Uganda and India to inform policy and practice?

The 2018 International Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Summit featuring Entertainment Education (Nusa Dua, Indonesia)

The collective power of people to transform the social and political structures that govern their lives 
is the true heart of development. Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) engages and supports people to shift norms, change behaviors, and amplify the voices needed to address the persistent development challenges the world faces today: extreme poverty, gender inequities, public health emergencies, acute and chronic diseases, climate change, and democracy and governance among others.

The 2018 International Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Summit featuring Entertainment Education is organized to better understand what works in shifting social norms, changing behaviors and in amplifying the voice of those who have most at stake in the success of development efforts. It is designed to wrestle with the profound issues of social justice and agenda setting that affect these decisions. Who decides, for example, what behaviors need changing or which norms should be shifted? How can people’s realities and voices be put at the center of such change? How much emphasis should be placed on shifting norms and behaviors when power structures, policy environments or lack of services may constitute problems that overwhelm the capacity of individuals or communities to act?

How Does Work Feature in Literature on Youth Participation in Violence? (IDS Working Paper 485 2017)

This paper explores the evidence available on the role of work in youth participation in violence, through a study of recent research and evidence in this field.

The evidence review considers the role of ‘work’ broadly, seeking to go beyond restricted definitions of waged and formal sector employment or underemployment. It considers the role of formal and informal work, different forms of work, and the various potential roles – both positive and negative – that work may play in youth participation in violence. The study will also employ a broad definition of ‘violence’ – considering youth participation in organised, mass-mobilised conflicts; ‘radicalised’ or ‘extremist’ violent groups; less formal, criminal violence; and, where relevant, interpersonal violence.

The deliberately broad definition of violence facilitates a focused analysis of the evidence and research surrounding the role of work in youth engagement in all forms of violence that constitute a disengagement from a peaceful social order, recognising the interlinkages between multiple and varied outward manifestations of violence (for example, criminal, economic, political and interpersonal violence).

The review contains a section on the role of social norms.

Gender Socialization during Adolescence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Conceptualization, influences and outcomes (Innocenti Discussion Papers 2017-1)

The rapid changes that take place during adolescence provide opportunities for the development and implementation of policies and programmes, which can influence the gender socialization process, in order to maximize positive outcomes. This paper sets out to provide a conceptual understanding of the gender socialization process during adolescence, its influences and outcomes, and practical suggestions on how to use this knowledge in the design of policies and programmes to improve gender equality. First, theoretical contributions from psychology, sociology and biology were reviewed to situate the gender socialization process during adolescence in a broader context of multi-level influences. Second, a socio-ecological framework was introduced to bring together the main factors that influence the gender socialization process and its outcomes. Third, knowledge on how to influence the gender socialization process and its outcomes was summarized in order to provide practical recommendations for policies and programmes. This included: a) reviewing changes in demographics, the global media and gendered economic opportunities, to understand how the gender socialization process, gender norms and identities have been transformed at the macro level; and b) conducting a literature review of small-scale programmes designed to impact the gender socialization process.

The paper concludes with recommendations for more holistic policy and programming efforts around gender socialization in adolescence.

Click here for full publication.

Tackling intimate partner violence in South Asia: why working with men and boys matters for women (ODI report 2017)

This report explores multi-level influences that shape the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) by men and boys in South Asia. It also examines the policy, programming and institutional dynamics that mediate attitudes and behaviours around IPV. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach from three countries facing different forms of state fragility – Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan – it explores three key questions:

  1. To what extent do social norms drive male perpetration of IPV in South Asia?
  2. In what ways do broader political economic dynamics shape attitudes, behaviours and service provision regarding IPV?
  3. What are the entry points for policy and programming to tackle male perpetration of IPV?

The report provides programming and policy recommendations to tackle IPV in South Asia. It stresses the importance of engaging with men and boys in efforts to tackle IPV, particularly given a backlash that appears to be growing as women become more empowered in the region.

Click here for full report.

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