Conducting a research on social norms and perceptions on women’s dressing codes and gender-based violence (GBV) in the MENA region. at Oxfam

Youth perceptions on Women’s dress codes and Gender Based Violence in the MENA region

Assignment:

Conducting a research on social norms and perceptions on women’s dressing codes and gender-based violence (GBV) in the MENA region.

Timeline:

20/February/2022 to 31/March/2022.

Location:

Regional with a focus on Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia.

Background

Harmful social norms sustain, normalize, justify and legitimize violence against women and girls (Butt et al, 2020[1]; Stark & Seff, 2021)[2]. These norms are based on notions of women’s sexual purity, protecting family honor over women’s safety, women’s limited presence in the public sphere, and men’s authority to discipline and punish women3. One particular set of norms that sustain violence against women are those associated with women’s dress codes and practices. Sexual harassment and violence occur worldwide regardless of what the women wear. All types of sexual harassment and abuse including sexual abuse and rape, can be blamed on women who are judged as “deserving” of this harm because of what they wear or how they appear. The cliché question “What was she wearing during the incident?” is a globally known technique that blames violence survivors and assumes responsibility of women for provoking men.

Women dress codes are part of social norms that are monitored by other members of the community including women. Generally, women are made aware of their bodies and that they need to conform to clothing standards that their male counterparts find unprovocative at a very early age (Wah, 2016; and Jaymie, 2017)[4]. A Perception survey by Muzaffar and his team (2020) confirms that women’s clothes are considered a factor when males commit a sexual assault according to Indian university students [5]. Another study by Burn (2009) concluded that authorities place greater responsibility on women victims of sexual assaults if their clothing were seen as provocative[6].

Furthermore, social norms and perceptions may attribute some personality treats to women based on their dress codes and appearances. In a 2018 study by Gurung and his team found that women who wear “less revealing” clothes were described as more intelligent, more responsible, and more competent than the same women wearing “revealing clothes”^[7]. Women who do not meet the expectations or social norms of clothing can be punished or disciplined or blamed for the violence they face (Brower, 2013)^[8]. The norms around dress codes practiced in public spheres might as well serve as proxies for discrimination based on race, gender, or any other background ^[9] (McKay-Panos, 2004)

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), violence against women is estimated at 37% of women in comparison to the global rate of 30% (UN Women 2020). One type of violence is associated with what women should or shouldn’t wear. Women dress codes are highly politicized issue in the MENA region with contradictory discourses There are multiple forms of patriarchal violence and discrimination against women based on their choices of clothes in the MENA region. For instance, Egyptian women were prevented from accessing public recreational facilities because they do not wear “swimming suits” and instead wear “Islamic Burkinis” that cover the entire body and head. This debate reached courts[10] and there are deliberations whether it is constitutional or not to deny these women access to pools and some beaches. Furthermore, men are expected to “correct and control” women dressing codes.

In a study by the Oxfam on the Moroccan society in 2019, a majority of 78% of respondents agreed that a husband can force his wife to change her dressing practices[11]. The study found that 64% of men believed that women should wear a modest style of clothes, while only 36% of women agreed with that statement. The same study also indicated that verbal types of violence against women are not considered worthy of intervention by bystanders, only physical violence is. However, 73% of men considered that they would only intervene if the women’s clothes were respectful. Thus, women who do not adhere with what is “considered” respectful, are not worthy of “patriarchal” protection.

There is a range of emotional, psychological, physical and sexual violence that women in the MENA region are challenged with in their everyday lives and everywhere they are. This violence stems from harmful social norms that justify, excuse, and normalize violence against women based on their dress codes. These norms are challenged by Oxfam’s global Enough! Campaign. The Campaign aims to challenge harmful social norms and replace them with positive norms based on gender justice and women’s empowerment. Enough brings people of all genders, ages, race and background together to transform social normal and challenge the status quo. Activities under the campaign includes social media activities, art, music, animated films, workshops, factsheets, aspirational messages to encourage change and motivate people to think, talk and act to end all violence against women. MENA platform intends to further explore and understand the different aspects of the social norms associated with women dress codes and practices to inform its campaigning and influencing activities. This study terms of reference (ToR) is designed to solicit and commission a quantitative study that shed the light on this understudied phenomenon in the MENA region.

Purpose and scope of the Assignment

Oxfam’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Platform seeks to hire a research company to conduct a perception survey on the subject of dress codes and GBV. The findings of the perception survey are expected to answer the following research questions:

• What are the common social norms associated with women dress codes and practices in six targeted countries in the MENA region?
• What are main patterns and types of violence experienced by youth, especially young women and associated with dress codes and GBV in the public space and within families the MENA region?
• What are the youth perceptions, attitudes and believes that are associated with dress codes and GBV?
• What are the similarities and the differences between the six MENA countries in terms of perceptions? What are the similarities and differences of perception between gender, age groups, and residency?

targeted population

Research population are youth between the ages of 18-35 in six MENA countries: Egypt, Tunisia, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. Survey will also collect demographic information including : gender, age, place of residence, socioeconomic background, level of education, ethnicity and refugee status.

Deliverables

• Inception Report outlining methodology, sample selection, margin of error and representation of different variable, in addition to a suggested 10-12 survey questions (Likert scale) that focus on youth perceptions.
• Final research report including: Executive Summary, introduction, methodology, findings, analysis, comparative section, conclusions, and appendices including full tables of results and a copy of the database.
• The set of raw data for any future needs

application process and selection criteria

Interested research companies or consultancy firms can apply to this call. Successful applicant should at least have the following skills and competencies:

• Proven record of conducting quantitative research on women and girls’ rights, violence against women and girls, and social norms and perceptions.
• Proven record of conducting survey in the targeted countries.
• Ability to adapt data collection methodologies to situations related to COVID-19 without jeopardizing the health and safety of survey population.

Interested applicants are invited to submit an expression of interest letter which include:

A) A cover letter.

B) Technical offer including how the applicant would tackle the research projects in terms of approach and methodology, number of days, time frame and action plan for the research, daily rates, research team size and expertise (if applicable) and any other logistic or ethical consideration.

C) Financial offer that includes a detailed budget. Financial offer needs to specify different costs for online survey, pen and paper survey, and a phone survey. Offers have to also include costs for 3%, 4% and 5% margin of error as well as approximate representative population.

D) Previous published examples of similar work.

Selection Criteria:

Oxfam’s MENA platform expects to receive clear and solid technical and financial proposals. 70% of the weight will be given to the technical proposal and 30% will be given to the financial proposal.

The applicant must score minimum of 50% in the technical evaluation to be eligible for financial evaluation.

[1] Butt et al (2020) Integrating a Social Norm Perspective to Address Community Violence Against Sri Lankan Women and Girls: A Call for Research and Practice. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma. 29(7) PP826-834.

[2] Stark, L and Seff, I (2021) The Role of Social Norms, Violence Against Women and Measurement in the Global Commitment to End Violence Against Children. Peace & Conflict. Vol.27, Issue 1, PP24-27.

[3] Perrin, N. et el (2019) Social Norms and Beliefs about Gender Based Violence Scale. Conflict and Health volume 13, Article number: 6

[4] Wah, S. (2016). Boys will be boys, and girls will get raped: How public school dress

codes foster modern day rape culture. Cardozo Journal of Law & Gender, 23(1),

245-276. and Thesis Jaymie, A (M.A., Education (Behavioral Science Gender Equity Studies))–California State University, Sacramento, 2017

[5] Muzaffar et al (2020) Perception of Students Regarding Gender based Violence. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. Vol.14, issue 1, PP 113-117.

[6] Burn, S.M. (2009) A Situational Model of Sexual Assault Prevention through Bystander Intervention. Sex Roles 60, 779–792 (2009

[7] Gurung, R et al, (2018) Dressing “in Code”: Clothing rules, propriety, and perceptions. The Journal of Social Psychology. Vol.158 (5)PP 553-557.

[8] Brower, T (2013) What’s in the closet: dress and appearance codes and lessons from sexual orientation. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Vol 32, Issue.5

[9] McKay-Panos, L. (2004). Gender discrimination in the workplace: Dress codes. LawNow, 29(3), [69]-[71].

[10] Here

[11] Violence against women in Morocco: between patriarchy and institutional limits, Rabat Social Studies Institute (RSSI) and Oxfam in Morocco, 2019