This episode introduces the concept of gender norms and explores how they are changing. It looks at gender norms through a historic lens to demonstrate that while change is slow, it is happening. 

Part 1: What are gender norms?
Part 2: Change happens 

Interviewees (May also appear in other episodes)

• Dr Caroline Harper, Head of Programme/Principal Research Fellow, ODI
• Dr Nicola Jones, Principal Research Fellow, ODI and Director, GAGE
• Dr Anita Ghimire, Director, Nepal Institute for Social and Environmental Research
• Rachel Marcus, Research Associate, ODI
• Bekele Tefera,  independent consultant, Ethiopia
• Nikki Van Der Gaag, Director of Gender Justice and Women’s Rights, Oxfam Great Britain

This episode unpacks some of the many challenges associated with changing gender norms.

Part 1: The paradoxical nature of change creates challenges
Part 2: What are the wider conditions needed to facilitate change?
Part 3: Even if change is happening, there are powerful forces pushing back

Interviewees (May also appear in the previous and following episode)

• Carol Watson, independent researcher  
• Dr Florence Kyoheirwe Muhanguzi, Senior Researcher, Makerere University, Uganda
• Paola Pereznieto, Research Associate, ODI
• Dr Fiona Samuels, Senior Research Fellow, ODI

We explore three distinct areas of opportunity to change gender norms: policy and the law, communications, and education. We conclude the series with a reflection on the nature of gendered norms and provide opportunity for listeners to individually act on the lessons learned.

Part 1: Policies and laws to empower adolescent girls
Part 2: Communications, girls’ clubs and norms
Part 3: Girls’ education
Conclusion: Gender norms affect all of us: knowledge and understanding leads to change

Interviewees (also featuring interviewees from previous episodes)

• Dr Erin Murphy-Graham, Associate Adjunct Professor, University of California - Berkeley

Links to topics and programmes discussed in the podcast:

• Promundo’s Men Care programme
• Nepal’s SSMK ‘Chatting with my Best friend’ radio programme
• Meena Communications Initiative, South Asia

For further research and resources on adolescent girls, visit: 

• Knowledge to Action resource series: Adolescent girls and gender norms
• Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence
• Coalition for Adolescent Girls
• International Centre for Research on Women
• Population Council

For campaigns targeting adolescent girls:

Child marriage

• Girls Not Brides
• Care International
• Plan UK – Because I am a girl

Education

• UNGEI
• Camfed