“Faith” as a Framework for Understanding Barriers and Enablers to Social and Behaviour Change Using Child Marriage in Mozambique, Nepal, and the Philippines as a Case Study

This study examines the role of faith in social and behaviour change, using child marriage as a case study across Mozambique, Nepal, and the Philippines. While faith is widely acknowledged as a social force, its role in shaping behaviour remains underexplored in development programming. This research addresses that gap by proposing a multidimensional framework for understanding faith's influence on social norms and behaviour. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys (N = 986), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews conducted between 2020 and 2023. The study identifies five key dimensions through which faith shapes behaviour: spirituality, religious beliefs, religious practices, the authority of religious institutions, and faith communities. Findings reveal that all of these aspects of faith may be deeply embedded in decision-making processes, both reinforcing and challenging norms around child marriage. Faith leaders and religious communities are often influential authorities shaping norms, with religious beliefs and practices reinforcing choices, while personal spirituality acts as an internal motivator for change. This study challenges the common tendency to view faith solely as a tool for promoting externally defined development goals. Instead, it argues for a more nuanced, context-specific approach that acknowledges faith as a dynamic and integral aspect of social change. Faith-sensitive approaches can enhance the effectiveness of social and behaviour change interventions by aligning with deeply held values and beliefs within communities. Future research should explore how these five faith dimensions interact across diverse cultural and religious contexts. A better understanding of these intersections will contribute to more effective development strategies that respect and harness faith's complex role in shaping behaviour.