Reflecting on Gender Expectations and Social Norms through a Feminist Legal Lens

As part of the “Law from a Feminist Perspective” training, participants reflected on the gender expectations and deeply rooted social norms that shape our everyday lives and shared their own lived experiences.

During the discussion, participants explored how different expectations are placed on women, men, and people from diverse backgrounds across a range of settings, including families, the media, community life, religion, and government institutions.

Drawing on their own experiences, participants examined how these expectations and social norms can influence the choices people are able to make, the opportunities available to them, their participation in society, and even how they see and value themselves.

The discussion also encouraged participants to question how ideas that are often considered “normal” or “just the way things are” are formed, whose opportunities they may expand, and whose choices and participation they may restrict.

By examining these everyday assumptions through a feminist lens, participants reflected on how social norms and power relations can shape people’s experiences differently and why questioning these patterns is important for advancing equality.

The session was facilitated by D. Enkhjargal, Executive Director of the MONFEMNET National Network.

The “Law from a Feminist Perspective” training is implemented with the support of the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD).