title: Pile sorting innovations: exploring gender norms, power and equity in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: Understanding gender norms, power and equity is important for developing successful sexual and reproductive health interventions. However, little attention has been given to how to capture the gender ideals and imbalances that inform these relationships in low resource settings. Pile sorting exercises were conducted in four gender-segregated focus groups in Ethiopia and Kenya. Each group received cards illustrated with a man, woman and man and woman together and cards labelled with duties and decisions. Participants discussed and decided together whether men, women or both performed each duty and decision and assigned the cards accordingly. Participants then reflected on and physically manipulated the piles to challenge gender norms, investigate role flexibility and identify agents of social change. Data collected included photographs of the pile sorts and recordings of the discussions. Conducting pile sorting within focus group discussions enabled comparative analyses of gender norms, while enriching data by focusing discussions and encouraging consensus building. Innovative applications facilitated participants' abilities to engage abstract concepts, reflecting on issues of gender norms, power and equity.
authors.affiliation: Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourey
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartel
authors.forename: Marcie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubardt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D003657:Decision Making; D004522:Educational Status; D005002:Ethiopia; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011287:Prejudice; D012919:Social Behavior; D012925:Social Conformity; D055815:Young Adult