illustration for the drivers of inequality

Driver Category 1.4

Harmful social and cultural norms which result in certain groups being at greater risk of premature death or poor health

This driver captures negative gender stereotypes, which mean that certain groups are at greater risk of premature death. Norms in relation to the use of violence against women and minors can drive some of the inequalities observed in health and life outcomes.

This driver category covers harmful norms that mean certain groups face higher premature death and health risks. Examples include social and cultural norms that affect sexual and reproductive health (eg. dictate access to contraception and control over fertility, early marriage, access to safe abortions) and social and cultural norms that impact prevention practices related to HIV and the practice of FGM. In some contexts norms result in boys’ health needs prioritised over girls driving gender health inequalities.

This driver category also captures norms that can result in differential health outcomes for men, due to men being less likely to seek health treatment early which increases mortality risk as treatment is less effective at later stages of disease. Social and cultural norms that influence risk taking behaviour or promote violence among certain age groups, in particular young men. For example, norms in relation to gang membership and activity.

Guiding Questions

Discriminatory gender norms

  • Is there evidence that social norms and cultural practices related to gender expose women to greater risk of violence?
  • Do men (and women) believe a man has a right to “correct” or discipline female behaviour?
  • Is the prevalence of gender-based violence (by type) increasing or decreasing?
  • What analysis is available regarding the incidence of risk for different groups of women (women from low-income households, different ethnicities etc.)?
  • Is honour killing and maiming a customary practice?
  • Is analysis available to assess the nature and extent of honour killing and maiming, its impact on different groups of women, and to investigate how communities understand honour-based violence?
  • How does the media report honour-based violence?
  • Is there evidence that social norms and cultural practices related to gender play a significant role in influencing access to healthcare and health outcomes?
  • In what particular areas is there evidence of negative impact?
  • Do parents value and prioritise boys’ health over girls' in your country?
  • Are national surveys appropriately designed to capture the nature and impact of harmful social and cultural norms and beliefs on people’s health and survival?
  • Should existing survey tools be repurposed to better capture some important elements (such as the prevalence of honour killings or FGM, or the discriminatory attitudes of healthcare workers or any other aspect)?
  • Are there any public information campaigns, education and outreach, or other type of intervention, to combat traditional norms related to masculinity and their harmful impacts on men’s survival and health?

Discriminatory social norms related to race, ethnicity, religion and other aspects of identity

  • What is the nature of cultural stereotyping of different groups within your society (e.g. nationalities, ethnicities, caste, religions, disability, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people)?
  • Is there a link between intense stereotyping and dislike and violent or aggressive behaviour towards these groups?
  • What has your inequalities analysis uncovered in relation to the differential outcomes based on race, ethnicity and other aspects of identity in your country when it comes to survival and health outcomes?
  • Is there enough research related to the drivers of these differences that explicitly take into account the impact of racist beliefs and attitudes?

Indicators

Potential indicators to monitor the drivers of inequalities in this main driver category

  • Number of prosecutions of domestic violence and gender-based violence cases
  • Number of prosecutions for honour killings and maimings
  • Amount of health budget spent on sexual and reproductive health services, especially public education and information activities
  • Number of citizens killed by police use of lethal force (disaggregated by relevant characteristics of victims)
  • Number of investigations and prosecutions into police misconduct and brutality (disaggregated by relevant characteristics of victims)
  • % of population who self report as being prejudiced towards people of different ethnicities
  • Amount of public spending on information campaigns regarding discriminatory and harmful social norms (gender, disability, racial discrimination, sexual orientation and gender identity)

Candidate Policies

To see related Candidate Policies in this main driver category please click here.