Edutainment to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children

Amber Peterman

The World Bank Research Observer, 2026, vol. 41, issue 1, 78-117

Abstract: Edutainment has potential to drive large-scale behavior change, yet its effectiveness in addressing violence against women and children remains an emerging field of study. This review summarizes findings from 21 rigorous studies measuring impacts on violence-related attitudes, norms and behaviors. Overall, 71 percent of 21 studies show promising reductions in attitudes and norms supporting violence, while 64 percent of 11 studies document reductions in violent behaviors. The largest evidence base pertains to violence against women with relatively moderate findings (13 studies, 57–69 percent show protective impacts). Evidence on child, early and forced marriage is stronger, however based on fewer studies (8 studies, 63–75 percent show protective impacts). Promising yet few studies tackle female genital mutilation, and only one study, with insignificant effects, addresses violence against children. While adverse impacts are rare, several studies report variable outcomes depending on study arm, follow-up period, or target group. Mechanisms of impact towards violence reduction include information acquisition, individual persuasion, norm diffusion, and enhanced service linkages. Despite these encouraging findings, further research is needed to address methodological challenges and unlock edutainment's full potential for large-scale violence-related behavior change.

Keywords: edutainment; violence against women; violence against children; child marriage; female genital mutilation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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