🎙 What does it really take to shift harmful social norms in

Nigeria?

In this episode of Norms Lab, we explore how trusted faith leaders, cultural champions, and entertainment media are helping reimagine gender, power, and identity in Nigerian communities. Join Anjola Ayodele in conversation with: Haishat Olufadi-Ahmed, public health expert and lead researcher; and Oluwafunmilayo Raheem, social norms strategist. Together, we break down findings from a deep dive on interventions like MTV Shuga

🎙️ What does it really take to shift harmful social norms in Nigeria?

In this episode of Norms Lab, Haishat and Funmi, public health and social norms researchers, shared key findings from their research on social norms-shifting interventions in Nigeria. From TV and radio campaigns to the role of faith-based champions and cultural leaders, they explore what’s working and what gaps remain in the fight to shift harmful norms around health, gender, and social behaviors.

They shared:

✅ Insights from stakeholders and community champions

✅ Lessons from entertainment-education campaigns

✅ How faith leaders are influencing behavior change

✅ Gaps future programs must address

This episode provide real-world insights for practitioners, donors, policymakers, and advocates working to transform social norms.

Digital media has emerged as a powerful tool for addressing the maternal health crisis in Anglophone West Africa. It offers unprecedented opportunities to challenge the social and gender norms impacting interventions, raise awareness, and improve access to healthcare.

Dr. Valentine Amasiatu, senior research associate at SCIDaR, joins this episode's discussion to share his experiences/lessons learnt while leading the Antenatal Risk Stratification project to drive positive change in this sector.

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Gender norms—deeply ingrained societal expectations about the roles and behaviors of men and women—are increasingly influenced by the content, interactions, and algorithms that define our online experiences. While digital media has the potential to challenge and dismantle harmful stereotypes, it can also reinforce traditional gender roles, often in subtle yet pervasive ways.

Listen to Aminat Salaudeen, Women’s Rights & Safety Officer at TechHerNG, and Khadija Lawan, gender integration specialist, as they share their experiences on how digital media shapes gender perceptions and what this means for the broader goals of gender equality.

The rapid growth of digital platforms—ranging from social media giants like Facebook and Instagram to niche communities on Reddit and WhatsApp—has fundamentally changed how we communicate, form relationships, and establish social norms. Unlike traditional social settings, where norms are often rooted in long-standing cultural and societal practices, digital communities offer a dynamic and fluid environment where norms can be created, challenged, and reshaped at an unprecedented pace.

In this episode, Nsidibe-Abasi Joy Una, the Chief of Staff and Special Initiatives Lead at Gatefield, shared valuable insights into how digital communities are shaping contemporary social standards and offer strategies for leveraging digital platforms to promote positive change.

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The global prevalence estimates of child labour have reported an increase, for the first time in two decades (ILO, 2021, p.9). According to the ILO and NBS, 39.2% of children engaged in child labour in Nigeria. Among the antecedents of child labour, including poverty, parental history of child labour, immigration status, and educational status, recent research evidence from several countries identifies social and cultural norms as one of the key causes of child labour. Social norms regulate people's actions within the social order and characterize shared expectations among people.

The podcast episode aims to explore a fundamental and transformative aspect of social change.  Families are the foundational units of society where values, behaviours, and beliefs are first instilled. Understanding and leveraging this influence is essential for driving meaningful and sustainable social change. This episode aligns with our focus on social norms, agency, and gender and provides actionable insights and inspiration from an experienced guest, Mukhtar Ibrahim-Gaya, who committed to fostering positive development outcomes

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Many people in West Africa lack access to comprehensive and accurate information on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). Traditional beliefs, stigma, and cultural norms often hinder open discussions and access to reliable sources. As a result, unintended pregnancy rates remain high, driven by limited access to family planning services and contraceptives. Maternal and child mortality rates are also elevated due to inadequate SRH care, including insufficient antenatal care, skilled delivery attendance, and postpartum care. Additionally, HIV/AIDS and STIs continue to be significant public health concerns in the region.

In this episode of normslab, we dive into Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), promoting awareness and challenging the stigma surrounding these topics. We discuss what needs to be done to empower individuals to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes.

Despite increasing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion, women entrepreneurs continue to face significant challenges rooted in societal norms and biases. Listen as Yemisi Isidi, the co-founder of Triift Africa, explores deeply ingrained norms that often erode confidence, limit decision-making autonomy, and curtail opportunities for women within the entrepreneurial landscape.