Locally-Led Social and Individual Behavior Change

Using human-centered, participatory, and community-led processes — and our renowned and innovative iDARE methodology  — WI-HER supports communities to mobilize and drive social and individual behavior change in contextually and culturally appropriate ways. 

We work with local stakeholders, such as government, public and private institutions, as well as communities themselves, to identify and address root causes  faced by various diverse groups  in a community, to drive equitable and inclusive change within their community as a whole.  We facilitate communities to come together to identify ways they can address inequities and promote human rights and democratic principles that lead to sustained social development and economic growth.

Our approach

We draw from classic theories and market concepts that have a robust evidence base and application in the field, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Social Cognitive Theory, and the Diffusion for Innovations, as well as innovative approaches from parallel fields including behavioral insights, behavioral economics, and consumer/marketing research. 

Our mixed, participatory, and psychosocial approach has proven effective in supporting individuals, communities and civil society organizations as well as local and national governments to inclusively design and implement locally-led solutions that transform gender, social, and cultural norms to achieve desired behavior and equitable outcomes. 

Our services

With extensive experience in gender, health, education, agriculture, energy, and more, WI-HER’s team can develop and implement community mobilization and behavior change interventions for programs in any sector. 

Specifically, our team:

• Advises groups on evidence-based, inclusive and equitable behavior change activities and programs.

• Supports local stakeholders to design and implement inclusive, gender sensitive and responsive interventions that lead to measurable impact and results.

• Coordinates and facilitates capacity-strengthening programs for social and behavior change.

Examples of our impact 

In Uganda, under the USAID Social and Behavior Change Activity, WI-HER used its iDARE methodology in a government selected facility, Nagengera HCIII,  to close gender gaps in viral load suppression (VLS) among actively enrolled adults and children in HIV care and treatment. Among adult males (over 20 years), VLS increased from 65% (baseline, August 2020) to 96% (September 2021), while it increased from 60% to 96% for the children (male and females, under 20 years). The iDARE team identified a gender gap in VLS results between males and females among these children. Over the same period, they closed the gap between male and female children, from 47% among males and 71% among females (baseline) to 96% among males and 98% among females. The iDARE team sustained and further improved the results among men and children actively enrolled in care through December 2021.

Through the USAID Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems Project, WI-HER supported local stakeholders to improve Zika response, treatment, and prevention in South America and the Caribbean. Using participatory community engagement techniques, this approach ensured that prevention and response did not exclude marginalized populations who had fears and misconceptions around Zika, but instead engaged them in service delivery design and implementation, resulting in improvement of both prevention and care of Zika affected individuals.

And through the USAID Integrated Health Program (IHP) in Nigeria, WI-HER has established GYSI Learning Labs in 10 facilities across five states. Through these facilities, WI-HER supported providers to change their own behavior to be more responsive to the needs of all clients and to encourage marginalized groups, such as women, to increase their own use of the health system. By coaching and mentoring providers, and talking with clients to understand their concerns, WI-HER staff are collaborating with facilities to raise their awareness and shift their behaviors toward more responsive, person-centered, sensitive care.

Click here to read more from our latest annual report.