Feminist and youth-led approaches to transforming social and gender norms in South and South-East Asia

ABSTRACT

Current challenges in approaches to understand and shift social norms relate to the absence of a methodology guided by an ethical framework that recognises the power dynamics inherent in social norms research and intervention design. This is particularly the case for social and gender norms related to sexual reproductive health rights, child marriage, harassment in public places, gender-based violence, unpaid care work, and gendered work roles. This article draws on the experiences of social norms research undertaken by Oxfam and partners in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Pakistan that sought to embed a feminist and participatory approach throughout the research cycle. In particular, it draws on lessons learned from a key component of a wider feminist participatory methodology, Oxfam's Social Norms Diagnostic Tool, developed in 2017, adapted and implemented in four different countries.

Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 5: Gender equality

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Oxfam's research ethics guidelines were followed throughout the process. For research undertaken with survivors of violence and young people, we adhered to Oxfam's Safeguarding Adults and Youth Policy and Guidelines for Research with Young People. Additional measures were undertaken to do no harm, protect confidentiality, minimise participant distress, and provide referrals for care and support where available.