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Terms of Reference

Gender Norms as an Influencing Factor

of Early Marriage and Teen Pregnancy among Ethnic Minorities

in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

1. Title of research : Gender Norms as an Influencing Factor of Early Marriage and Teen Pregnancy among Ethnic Minorities in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
   
2. Background and rational

Early marriage is recognized as a human rights violation affecting the lives of girls and their ability to access to education, livelihoods and health. This issue can contribute to unequal power sharing and decision making at the household level which, in turn, can create wider gaps in gender equality. In addition, early marriage is most likely a contributory factor to high adolescent pregnancy rates. Early marriage is culturally accepted in some ethnic communities in northern Thailand, and in these ethnic communities gender norms have an important impact on girls and women’s access to education and livelihoods. As a result of early marriage and adolescent pregnancy, girls and women may find it difficult to obtain jobs thereby becoming dependent on their husband, and consequently having less power to negotiate and make informed decisions about important issues related to their lives.  These factors, coupled with citizenship and language barriers, often prevent girls from reaching their full potential. 

Plan International Thailand has worked with communities in the northern part of Thailand for several years.  In order to tackle the issue of early marriage and adolescent pregnancy in the north Plan International would like to hire a consultant to conduct an in-depth study to understand how gender norms affect child marriage and adolescent pregnancy among ethnic communities in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The result of this research will be used to guide our advocacy work, make recommendations for policies, and improve development efforts, and better advance child's rights and equality for girls in the future.

3. Research objectives/questions

1. What is the connection between gender norms, early marriage and adolescent pregnancy?
2. How do gender norms contribute to the issue of early marriage and adolescent pregnancy which include, but are not limited to: values; way of life; practices and beliefs of individual girls/boys, families, schools and communities?
3. Which other socio-economic issues contribute to early marriage and adolescent pregnancy?
4. To find out what other stakeholders (ie. NGOs, government, etc.) are doing to mitigate early marriage and adolescent pregnancy in northern Thailand
5. To determine successful approaches/models to mitigate early marriage and adolescent pregnancy in northern Thailand.
6. To understand gender transformative interventions that can successfully lead to reducing early marriage and adolescent pregnancy among adolescent girls in ethnic minority groups in northern Thailand.
   
7. Research methods, analytical framework and stakeholders
   • Research methodologies and research location
8. Research methodologies

The consultant/s will be responsible for all primary and secondary data collection using both qualitative and quantitative methods. He/she will work closely with the project team, MER Team and Gender Specialist. The research will involve approximately 10 focus group discussions with key stakeholder representatives from various ethnic minorities groups, schools and others.  In addition, at least 350 quantitative questionnaires will be completed in communities. Consultants can adjust number of questionnaires (if necessary) with explanation in research proposal.

The consultant/s will:

Task 1: Participate in a consultative meeting with the project team, MER team and Gender Specialist to finalize the research methodology, framework and work plan.

Task 2: Prepare an inception report that details the methodology, final research questions and sub-questions to be used for in-depth analysis.

Task 3: Conduct stakeholder mapping to support research objectives and questions.

Task 4:  Undertake field work as outlined in the research methodology.

Task 5: Draft a report in English with executive summary for Plan International Thailand’s review.

Task 6: Present draft key findings and recommendations to Plan International Thailand and receive feedback.

Task 7:  Finalize the report with an executive summary (2 hard copies and 1 soft copy) in English and Thai.

Task 8: Present key recommendations to Plan International Thailand.

1. Research Location

Communities in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, Thailand

1. Research Participants

In order to gain in-depth information on gender norms effecting early marriage and adolescent pregnancy, the research should be conducted with participants from at least 10 communities (made up of five different ethnic groups).

The multi-stage sampling should be apply in this research to select participants from diverse group of social class, household income, age and gender. Mainly, the participants list should include, but not limited to,

• Adolescent male and female age between 13-25 years old,
• Family of adolescent ( represent both nuclear and extended family) with diverse socio-economic background and income level
• Local authorities i.e. village headmen, local administrative officers
• School’s principals and teachers

• Research Framework
  
  

5. Research Deliverable

• Users of the research

• Stakeholders working on early marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and gender equality in northern Thailand
• Education institutes
• Plan staff

• Intended audience of the research

• NGOs working in the northern Thailand and academics

• The type of reports or other communication materials to be delivered

• Report with recommendation
  

6. Timeline

• January 2018 – June 2018

7. Ethics and child protection

Plan International is deeply committed to realizing children’s rights as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child – including their right to protection and freedom from abuse and exploitation. This means ensuring that no child is harmed or placed at risk of harm as a result of their association with us.

Plan International’s Research Policy and Standards include: informed consent, voluntary participation, confidentiality and anonymity, steps to minimize discomfort and harm including intervention and support, feedback of study findings to participants/communities, and training on child protection in research framework to community researchers.

8. Selection criteria

• At least 5 years of proven experience in conducting research with a degree social sciences or related fields.
• Experience working with ethnic groups in northern Thailand.
• Deep understanding and knowledge on gender issues, ideally among ethnic groups of northern Thailand.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and able to demonstrate respect for people with diverse ethnicities, different socio-economic background and beliefs.
• Consultant must either be fluent in northern Thai ethnic languages or include translation costs in their budget.
• Proficient in Thai and English documentation skills.

9. How to apply

• Develop a proposal based on the Terms of Reference with a budget plan (including daily rates of consultants), detail of work plan and framework for protecting child participants in research.
• Submit a Curriculum Vitae of each team member with contact details
• Submit at least one (1) sample of previous work (unpublished or published document)
• Submit all documents to Khun Hiranya Chantapong at her e-mail : Chantapong@plan-international.org ,closing date is 5 February 2018.

10. Management of the research and Plan contact name and details

• panjamahaporn@plan-internatinal.org
• chaidej@plan-international.org
• chantapong@plan-international.org