Influences of sex, age and education on attitudes towards gender inequitable norms and practices in South Sudan

Abstract

Prolonged conflict in South Sudan exacerbated gender disparities and inequities. This study assessed differences in attitudes towards gender inequitable norms and practices by sex, age and education to inform programming. Applying community-based participatory research methodology, 680 adult respondents, selected by quota sampling, were interviewed in seven South Sudanese communities from 2009 to 2011. The verbally administered survey assessed attitudes using the Gender Equitable Men scale. Data were stratified by sex, age and education. Of 680 respondents, 352 were female, 326 were male and two did not report their sex. The majority of respondents agreed with gender inequitable household roles, but the majority disagreed with gender inequitable practices (i.e., early marriage, forced marriage and inequitable education of girls). Respondents who reported no education were more likely than those who reported any education to agree with gender inequitable practices (all p < 0.03) except for forced marriage (p = 0.07), and few significant differences were observed when these responses were stratified by sex and by age. The study reveals agreement with gender inequitable norms in the household but an overall disagreement with gender inequitable practices in sampled communities. The findings support that education of both women and men may promote gender equitable norms and practices.

Keywords:

• South Sudan
• gender equality
• education
• traditional practices
• gender equitable men scale

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the collaboration between American Refugee Committee and Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and thank the numerous individuals who provided leadership and programmatic support from both organisations. Chelsea Cooper, MHS, of American Refugee Committee, contributed to study design and survey development. We thank the interviewers and staff who assisted with data collection, data entry, security and logistics. We are especially grateful to the study participants.

Funding

This work was conducted with support from Harvard Catalyst, The Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center (National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health Award [grant number 8UL1TR000170-05] and financial contributions from Harvard University and its affiliated academic health care centres) and the Harvard Medical School Eleanor and Miles Shore Fellowship programme. The Brigham and Women's Hospital Global Women's Health Fellowship supported Dr. Scott's international travel and professional time. American Refugee Committee supported travel expenses within South Sudan but did not provide salary support. This assessment was funded in part by United Nations Population Fund and United Nations Common Humanitarian Fund.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This work was conducted with support from Harvard Catalyst, The Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center (National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health Award [grant number 8UL1TR000170-05] and financial contributions from Harvard University and its affiliated academic health care centres) and the Harvard Medical School Eleanor and Miles Shore Fellowship programme. The Brigham and Women's Hospital Global Women's Health Fellowship supported Dr. Scott's international travel and professional time. American Refugee Committee supported travel expenses within South Sudan but did not provide salary support. This assessment was funded in part by United Nations Population Fund and United Nations Common Humanitarian Fund.