An assessment of gendered social norms and their relationship to child marriage and adolescent pregnancy in Zambia

Zambia faces a persistent challenge: 29% of young women are married before age 18. This in-depth study moves beyond statistics to examine the underlying gendered social norms that create an "enabling environment" for these outcomes. Through extensive interviews with nearly 1,600 adolescents, caregivers, and key community leaders, the research uncovers critical factors, including: the persistence of poverty as a primary driver; the enduring norm that positions girls as primary caretakers and wives; and the disconnect between statutory law and societal perceptions of a child's age of transition.