TIPPING POINT SOCIAL NORMS INNOVATIONS SERIES
Bangladesh: Football for Girls
Girls’ football openly confronts the social norm that physical and public sports are only for boys and, more broadly, the norms that limit adolescent girls’ mobility and visibility in public spaces. The Tipping Point created an opportunity for girls to play in public spaces and in tournaments with the intention of drawing public attention and made a positive practice visible.
The traditional ritual of a sister tying a thread around a brother’s wrist and asking him for protection is modified so brothers also tie a ribbon around their sisters’ wrist and both vow to practice gender equality and pursue their dreams. This initiative garnered public support for growing equality between sisters and brothers.
Bangladesh: Tea Stall Conversations
The tea stall conversations were successful in reaching men and sparking conversations on gender norms, girls’ rights, and child, early, and forced marriage. The tea stall proved to be a comfortable space for men to grapple with new ideas and challenge each other about the role men can play in supporting women’s and girls’ rights.
Nepal: Intergenerational Dialogues
Intergenerational dialogues created a space for adolescents to practice interpersonal and citizenship skills, and challenged the absence of youth voices in public and family spheres. Onlookers were surprised to see girls questioning community leaders and government representatives; yet, people were supportive of girls.
Bangladesh: Amader KothaAdolescents use street drama and dialogue to challenge existing social norms and show positive alternatives. Amader Kotha has been successful in sparking conversations about topics that have otherwise been taboo. The playfulness of the performance made these conversations easier for people in the community to engage.
Girls and boys lead and perform street dramas to challenge social norms around dowry and early marriage, and to introduce the benefits of investing in girls. This initiative is making a difference by loosening some structures on girls’ mobility, socializing with boys, and being vocal about their rights and perspectives.
Amra-o-Korchi or ‘We are also doing’ challenged gendered social norms for girls and boys by promoting change toward equitable workloads in the home. This intervention made positive practices such as boys doing household more visible (cooking, doing laundry, and so on).
Boys participated in a cooking competition, and girls judged their food. This initiative highlighted changing norms on male participation in domestic tasks and the importance of more equitable practices at home for time efficiency and family harmony and gender equity.