Social institutions comprise norms, values and attitudes. They often manifest themselves in traditions and cultural practices that are performed by the members of a society. Social institutions have often been in existence for centuries and thus reflect the deeply enshrined normative value system of people. They can be reflected in the formal institutional framework of a society (e.g constitutions, laws, legal mechanisms). In many countries, however, social institutions constitute a separate value system that exists apart from the formal institutional framework. Especially in developing countries where formal mechanisms and the rule of law are weak, social institutions have a large impact on the social and economic life in a country.

Social Institutions and Gender Equality

Social institutions are particularly relevant in the area of gender equality. In many countries, the empowerment of women is a relatively new phenomenon that stands in stark contrast to the traditional way of life. Several examples show how social institutions can obstruct or completely annihilate formal legislation intended to favor gender equality.

Sources

Gita Sen (2007): Informal Institutions and Gender Equality, in: Jütting, Drechsler, Bartsch and de Soysa (eds.): Informal Institutions - How Social Norms Help or Hinder Development, OECD: Paris.

See also

• Child marriage
• Access to land
• Polygamy
• Gender, Institutions and Development Data Base
• GID Variables: Family Code
• GID Variables: Social Institutions
• To find our what progress has been made in improving the status of women in the Middle East and North Africa, read Women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa 2010, paper by Freedom House

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