illustration for the drivers of inequality

Driver Category 2.1

Harmful social and cultural norms which result in certain groups being at greater risk of violence and sexual exploitation

This driver category captures the heightened risks to physical security for certain groups due to social attitudes to justifiable violence (eg. physical, sexual, emotional violence against women and girls; violence against children, and other forms of identity-based violence).

It captures issues related to rape and intimate partner violence (IPV) (for example, the extent to which victims of IPV are believed and how these crimes are perceived in society).

It also covers variation in risk taking among certain population groups, including gang culture and norms regarding carrying offensive weapons.

Guiding Questions

Discriminatory gender norms and violence against women

  • 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?
  • 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?
  • What legislation exists in relation to honour killing and maiming?
  • What action is the government taking to tackle the harmful cultural norms behind honour-based violence, as well as to support victims and prosecute perpetrators?
  • Are public information campaigns and public education and outreach activities undertaken to communicate that gender-based violence, including domestic violence, is unacceptable, and to promote positive masculinity?
  • Does the state invest sufficient resources to adequately investigate and prosecute gender-based violence and to fund positive masculinity programmes?

Social norms in relation to violence against children

  • Is there evidence that any particular social norms and cultural practices mean children are exposed to a greater risk of violence?
  • Is there a cultural acceptance of violence, as a normal method of resolving conflict or as a usual part of rearing a child?
  • Do children have low status in society and within the family?
  • Is physical punishment allowed in the home and/or at school?
  • Are there any efforts by the government to promote messages around positive discipline, including via parenting programmes?
  • Are schools using new approaches for non-violent discipline?
  • Is sexual violence considered shameful for the victim?
  • In cases of the sexual abuse of children, are victims supported to speak out or are child victims stigmatized?
  • Are adequate support services available for children?

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

  • What is the nature of cultural stereotyping of different groups within your society (e.g. nationalities, ethnicities, 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?
  • Is there evidence of racist and discriminatory attitudes on the part of police officers (and others working within the justice system)?
  • Is there evidence of poorer treatment of minorities, including the use of lethal and non-lethal force, by police (on the street or in custody)?
  • How do policing practices differ between neighbourhoods and communities?
  • Are anti-discrimination laws in place?
  • Are the comprehensive – e.g. do they include aspects such as sexual orientation?
  • Do public sector workers receive diversity and human rights training?
  • What mechanisms exist for victims to make complaints?
  • What public information campaigns and public education and outreach activities are undertaken to tackle racism and discrimination and to shift discriminatory and intolerant attitudes and beliefs, including programmes within the school system?

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 maimings
  • % 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)
  • Number of staff employed by equality body and annual budget

Candidate Policies

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