Edutainment to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children

Abstract

Edutainment has potential to promote behavior change at scale, however effectiveness in addressing violence against women and children is still emerging. This review summarizes evidence from 21 rigorous evaluations measuring impacts on violence-related attitudes, norms and behaviors. Overall, 71% of 21 studies show promising increases in anti-violence attitudes and norms, while 64% of 11 studies show reductions in violent behaviors. Violence against women has the largest body of evidence with 13 studies yet with comparatively weak findings (57 – 62% show protective impacts across outcomes), while evidence on child, early and forced marriage is comparatively stronger, however with fewer studies (with 63 – 75% show protective impacts across outcomes). Findings for female genital mutilation show promise, however with limited evidence. Only one study with null effects was found for violence against children. Few studies contain adverse impacts, however numerous studies show variable impacts, depending on study arm, follow-up period or target group. There is evidence for mechanisms related to acquisition of information, individual persuasion, norm diffusion and increases in service linkages. Despite promising impacts, there are numerous open research questions and methodological challenges to tackle before the power of edutainment can be maximized for violence-related behavior change at scale.

Keywords: Edutainment, violence against women, violence against children, child marriage, female genital mutilation

JEL Classification: J12, L82, I21