Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Kenya
Date
2019-05
Authors
Owiti, Elizabeth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research Consortium
Abstract
Intimate partner violence is the most prevalent type of violence that women experience
and it has significant public health and socioeconomic impacts. Studies of these
impacts are limited in developing countries like Kenya, yet for accurate policy advice
and resource allocation there is a need for precise empirical data on the determinants
of spousal violence. Using the Demographic and Health Survey Data 2003, 2008/09
and 2014, this study used both linear probability and logit models to establish the
determinants of various types of spousal violence. In addition, a multivariate probit
analysis was carried out to account for potential unobserved heterogeneity among the
factors affecting women’s exposure to violence. The bivariate relationship between
spousal income variation and attitudes towards violence as well as actual exposure to
violence showed that 48% (95%, CI = 43%–54%) of women earning more than their
husband/partner reports acceptance of spousal violence, 41% (95% CI = 36%–47%)
report having experienced physical partner violence, while 76% (95% CI = 71%–81%)
report having experienced at least one form of partner violence in their lifetime. In terms
of multivariate analysis, the absolute level of women’s education did not protect them
against partner violence, but increased vulnerability, while differential education shows
a different picture with women who are more educated than their partners reporting less
violence compared to their counterparts with the same or lower education. Conversely,
women earning more than their husbands were more vulnerable to partner violence than
their counterparts earning less or the same. This showed that compared to the education
gap, the income gap threatened the position of men much more. This is in line with the
socialization, cultural beliefs and norms of most of the Kenyan patriarchal communities
in which the men are expected to be the household heads and financial providers. When
this position is challenged, men use violence as an instrument of control. In addition,
earning less and having a lower level of education significantly increased women’s risk
of exposure to physical violence, while intra-household income and education equality
was a significant barrier to physical violence, control violence and exposure to at least
one type of partner violence. In conclusion, to reduce physical, control or any other type
of violence, the government needs to promote girl child education and income parity
among men and women with the same level of education. Additionally, reproductive
health education and interventions aimed at delaying or eliminating early pregnancies
should be strengthened as this will not only improve women’s health, but also act as a
barrier to spousal violence against women. The government should integrate maternal
health services and gender-based violence interventions to support regular screening
and treatment of women victims of violence.