The power of women’s and men’s social networks to catalyse normative and behavioural change: evaluation of an intervention addressing unmet need for family planning in Benin

The study examines the Tékponon Jikuagou (TJ) intervention, which leverages social networks to reduce socio-normative barriers hindering modern contraceptive use in rural Benin. The intervention involved training influential community members to facilitate discussions on family planning, unmet needs, gender roles, and related social norms within their networks, supplemented by radio programmes and service linkages. Over a 14-month period, the study observed significant improvements in women's intentions to use modern contraception, achievement of met need, and reduction in perceived unmet need. Men also demonstrated significant gains in meeting family planning needs and reducing perceived unmet need. Additionally, there was an increase in couple and network communications about fertility desires and family planning, as well as enhanced self-efficacy and confidence in accessing services. The findings suggest that engaging social networks is an effective strategy to overcome normative and communication barriers, thereby promoting modern family planning use.

• Date Published: 2022