Norms Lab

In this latest episode of Normslab Dr. John Ovuoraye, the Director of Gender Adolescent School Health and Elderly (GASHE) Division, Family Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health, and Akinola Akinwumi, a Senior Research Specialist and the Insights Lead for the behavioral innovation lab at the Policy Innovation Centre led the discussions on the various gender mainstreaming policies affecting social norms and the agency of the people to act. Listen to the full episode for great insights from these industry experts.

In this thought-provoking episode of Normslab, we discussed the transformative power of advancing women's agency in shifting negative social and gender norms. Our guest Dr. Plangsat Dayil, the Gender Advisor of the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), shares her personal journeys and experiences, offering valuable insights into the obstacles women face in societies entrenched with harmful norms. Through compelling anecdotes and research-backed discussions, we explore the ways in which women are reclaiming their narratives and dismantling stereotypes that have persistently limited their potential.

In our latest podcast, "Social Norms, Child Health, and Nutrition," our guests, Dr. Aisha Faruk, Field Coordinator at AFENET, and Beatrice Eluaka, an independent consultant/nutritionist, led the discussions on the social norms that impact the nutrition of pregnant women and children.

During the conversation we discussed the connections between the health of pregnant and breastfeeding women, their socioeconomic status, education levels, and the nutritional well-being of children as well as the far-reaching consequences of malnutrition on developmental trajectories, ongoing policies and interventions combating this issue.

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The urban-rural divide in health is a major public health problem in Nigeria. People living in rural areas are more likely to experience poor health, have lower life expectancy, and have less access to healthcare. For example, the maternal mortality rate in rural areas is twice as high as in urban areas, and the infant mortality rate in rural areas is 15% higher than in urban areas. This is due to a number of factors, including poverty, limited access to healthcare, difficult terrain, and social norms. Social norms can play a significant role in shaping health outcomes, such as the social norm in some rural communities that discourages women from seeking healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. The podcast episode will explore the urban-rural continuum in Nigeria and discuss the challenges of bridging disparities in health with Dr. Shittu of Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria, Dr karaunmata, the Deputy Director public health and Disease Control from Kano state ministry of Health

In the latest episode of our Norms Lab Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Lois Aderomose and Emilia Okon. Our conversation shone the spotlight on the persistent and pressing issue of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Social norms in Nigeria, examining the various faces it wears and the silent accomplice it often finds in prevailing social norms. 

Our discussion ventured into the territory of solutions - exploring innovative, norm-shifting approaches that have the potential to build safe havens for women, enabling them to break their silence.

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Nigeria has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world, and girls are disproportionately affected by this problem. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 10.5 million children in Nigeria are out of school, and 60% of these children are girls 1.

In this episode, Judith Gbagidi - the Head of Programs for Education as a Vaccine; an organization that works in partnership with children, adolescents and young people to advance their rights to health, Gender Equality and protection from all forms of violence by strengthening capacities, providing direct services and influencing policies, for improved quality of life - converses with the host,  Halima Buba, on how social norms affect girls' access to education.

For updates, follow the Nigeria Learning Collaborative for Social Norms on the following social media platforms:

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For enquiries and collaboration, email us at [email protected].

The mental health challenges faced by women are unique and varied across different stages of life. From adolescence to menopause, women may face a range of stressors and pressures that can impact their mental well-being, including societal expectations, gender-based discrimination, hormonal changes, and caregiving responsibilities.  These challenges are often worsened by stigma and lack of access to resources. Addressing women's mental health needs is crucial to breaking the cycle of mental health challenges. 

In this episode, Ibifubara Davies , a Psychologist and Researcher who through her work in her private psychotherapy practice and other mediums, has provided support and resources to people dealing with mental health issues and Joy Ubong , an Advocacy and Research Officer in She Writes Woman (SWW), where she is currently giving her quota to seeing a stigmatized-free society, discuss with the host, Halima Buba, how social norms affect women's mental health.

For updates, follow the Nigeria Learning Collaborative for Social Norms on the following social media platforms:

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For enquiries and collaboration, email us at [email protected].

50% of all maternal deaths in the world occur in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, for every 1000 live births, 5 women die. This is one of the highest rates in the world, with an estimated 59,000 maternal deaths occurring in the country each year, accounting for over 34 per cent of global maternal deaths (WHO). In this episode, Hadiza Salele, a public health professional with over 8 years of experience implementing sexual, reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health programmes, and Dr Hameed Adediran, a medical doctor dedicated to reproductive maternal, newborn and child Health, discuss with the host, ⁠Emitomo Tobi Nimisire⁠, how social norms affect maternal healthcare and contribute to the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria. 

For updates, follow the Nigeria Learning Collaborative for Social Norms on the following social media platforms:

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For enquiries and collaboration, email us at [email protected].

The life expectancy at birth and universal health coverage service coverage index are typically much lower in low and middle-income (LMIC) countries than in higher-income countries. In this episode, Sushmita Mukherjee, Director of Gender at Project Concern International India, and Dr Habib Tijjani, Programme Manager of the Routine Immunisation Programme in Kano State, Nigeria, discuss with the host, Emitomo Tobi Nimisire, social norms that influence the demand and supply of healthcare services and products in their respective countries.

For updates, follow the Nigeria Learning Collaborative for Social Norms on the following social media platforms:

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In Nigeria, men outnumber women in positions of leadership; this worsens the gender gap and excludes women from significant decision-making processes. In this episode, the director of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Ayisha Osori, talks with the host, Emitomo Tobi Nimisire, about social norms that underlie the inequities that women experience as a result of their underrepresentation in fields that require their opinions, skills, and actions. She also offers advice based on her vast experience.

For updates, follow the Nigeria Learning Collaborative for Social Norms on the following social media platforms:

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For enquiries and collaboration, email us at [email protected].