Measuring social norms related to child marriage among married women and men in Niger

Summary & Objectives

This study develops and tests quantitative measures of social norms related to child marriage in Niger, with attention to both women’s and men’s perspectives. Using a 2022 household survey in RISE II programme areas, it examines descriptive norms (what people think others do) and injunctive norms (what people think others approve), focusing on marrying girls soon after puberty and norms restricting premarital sex. The objective is to identify which individual, behavioural, and contextual factors are associated with these norms, to better inform social and behaviour change programming that aims to delay marriage.

Findings

Child marriage-supportive norms were widespread, and men consistently reported higher agreement with both descriptive and injunctive norms than women. Most respondents believed early marriage is “protective,” but the perceived protective mechanism differed by gender. Men more often framed protection as avoiding “ruined” marriage prospects from suspected premarital relationships, while women more often framed protection as avoiding harassment.

Across both women and men, the strongest and most consistent correlate of endorsing child-marriage-related norms was the belief that child marriage protects girls from harms such as harassment, poverty, or reputational damage. In adjusted models, respondents who endorsed these “protective” expectations had markedly higher odds of agreeing that neighbours approve marrying girls soon after puberty, and that neighbours disapprove premarital sex. Norms around restricting premarital sex were also strongly linked to norms favouring marriage soon after puberty, suggesting a connected normative package around controlling girls’ sexuality.

Recommendations

Programmes should directly address the underlying logic that early marriage is protective, especially fears related to girls’ sexuality, pregnancy, harassment, and reputational risk. Interventions should include both women and men, because normative beliefs are high in both groups and men appear particularly influenced by perceived community approval and disapproval. Programming should also strengthen intergenerational communication and equip parents and community leaders to discuss sexuality and marriage timing without reinforcing stigma. Finally, future research should complement surveys with qualitative work to unpack how puberty, harassment, and sexual reputational concerns are understood locally, and to inform more precise norm-change strategies.