There are a number of well-known factors that work to constrain a girl’s ability to meaningfully attend, participate in and complete school. Although the occurrence and degree of these factors varies by context, they are all underpinned by one thing: social norms. Given the spectrum of norm acceptance amongst individuals, a nuanced and holistic approach is needed.
This blog published by “Level the Field” examines some of the issues with tackling norms and shifting thinking and action. It also suggests a potential pathway for change:
“In a systematic review of interventions designed to shift behaviour, Stewart et al., (2021) found that there is a problematic and implicit theory of change around shifting participants’ attitudes by increasing their knowledge and awareness of gender norms, and the assumption that this will then lead to behaviour change. Although knowledge and awareness are important, given the structures that entrench norms, the spectrum of acceptance amongst individuals, and the powerful reward and sanctioning mechanisms that abound, a more nuanced approach to behaviour change is required.”