Gendered Social Norms, Exceptions, and Sanctions: Implications for Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition in Nigeria

Abstract

Background

Nigerian pregnant and lactating women continue to experience high rates of malnutrition and Nigerian women experience long-term discrimination in the allocation and control of productive resources. Nigeria has policies and a governance architecture in place to advance nutrition, but these commitments lack recognition of how gender equity and nutrition are interwoven.

Objective

To address this gap, this study sought to identify and analyze the influence of gender dynamics and gender norms on nutrition and health-related practices in Nigeria.

Methods

This study used a combination of qualitative participatory activities and participant observation and questions to elicit information about the root causes of maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) and health concerns and typical nutrition and health practices in communities located across each of Nigeria’s 6 geopolitical zones. This analysis was informed by social norms theory and sought evidence of gender norms, as well as related social sanctions and norms exceptions.

Results

Analysis of discussions with 503 participating men and women identified 3 overarching gender meta-norms that dictate women’s mobility, gendered delineation of household tasks, and gendered decision-making and, therefore, in turn influence women’s and men’s engagement in recommended MIYCN behaviors such as involvement in production and purchasing of nutritious foods and seeking healthcare and nutrition counseling. Participants also described strong traditional gender ideologies and sanctions that uphold these restrictive norms. Encouragingly, participants described some exceptions to norms, which could indicate changing gender norms.

Conclusions

Nigeria currently has one of the highest rates of acute food and nutrition insecurity in Africa and contends with persistent gender inequalities. Interventions are needed that more explicitly tackle the links between gender inequality and nutrition. This analysis revealed gender meta-norms, and related sanctions and exceptions that affect multiple MIYCN behaviors and offer potential entry points for community engagement, programming, and policy around these issues.