5 - Understanding Gender-based Violence: Evidence from Kilimanjaro Assessment of Rombo and Moshi Rural
African Sociological Review,
Vol. 14 No. 1 (2010): African Sociological Review
Abstract
This paper presents findings from an empirical study on the prevalence and beliefs surrounding
gender-based violence (gBv) in the Kilimanjaro region. The analysis and ensuing discussion is the
result of a representative sample of adults (n=384) surveyed in two districts, Rombo and Moshi
Rural, in Kilimanjaro, tanzania. In contrast to previous research of a similar nature, which has
focused primarily on the frequency of violence, this study devotes significant atten- tion
discerning the level of social acceptability among its victims and perpetrators situated in a legal
and cultural framework. I find that alcohol consumption and the number of deceased children within a household have a direct correlation to incidences of gBv while an indi- vidual’s level of
education and degree of financial independence are inversely related to rates of violence. The
influence of bride price and polygamy is inconclusive. finally, I find that although a portion of
the population believes women should have decision-making capabilities, patri- archal institutions and a culture that relegates women as inferior have a significant impact on individual attitudes among men and women to preserve the status quo. These results suggest a greater need to promote a culture of egalitarianism in a sensitive and relevant manner.
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- Bastien, S., 2005, ‘The Construction of Gender in Times of Change: A Case Study of School-Based HIV/AIDS Education in Kilimanjaro’, Master’s dissertation, Institute for Educational Research, University of Oslo.
- Gonzalez-Brenes, M., 2004, ‘Domestic Violence and Household Decision-making: Evidence from East Africa’, Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Economics, University of California Berkeley.
- Heise, L., Ellsberg M., and Gottemoeller, M., 1998, ‘Violence Against Women: an Integrated, Ecological Framework’, Violence Against Women, Vol. 4, pp. 262- 290.
- Heise, L., 2002, ‘A Global Overview of Gender-based Violence’, International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Vol. 78, Supplement 1, pp. S5–S14.
- Hinden, M., 2003, ‘Understanding Women’s Attitudes Wife Beating in Zimbabwe’, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Vol. 81, pp. 501-508.
- Kijo-Bisimba, H., N.d., ‘Major Laws Relating to Women’s Lives’, Legal and Human Rights Center, http://tanzania.fes-international.de/doc/wr-major-laws.pdf.
- Kimuna, S.R., and Djamba, Y.K., 2008, ‘Gender-Based Violence: Correlates of Physical and Sexual Wife Abuse in Kenya’, Journal of Family Violence, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 333-342.
- McCloskley, L., Williams, C., and Larsen, U., N.d., ‘Relationship Characteristics Associated with Intimate Partner Violence in Moshi, Tanzania’, Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health.
- Ministry of Planning, Economy, and Empowerment, 2006, ‘Status Report: National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty’, United Republic of Tanzania. Mzinga, J., 2002, ‘Changing Gender Roles in Tanzania’, Sexual Health Exchange, Vol. 4. National Bureau of Statistics, 2002, Kilimanjaro Region Socio-Economic Profile (2nd Ed.), Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner’s Office.
- Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1 July 2008, Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act, No. 4.
- Population and Housing Census, 2002, ‘Population by Village, 5 Year Age Group and Sex’, United Republic of Tanzania.
- Rutazaa, A., 2005, ‘Tanzanian Women and Access to Law: The Case of Kilimanjaro’, Durham, North Carolina, Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy, Duke University.
- Uthman, O., Lawoko, S., and Moradi, T., 2009, ‘Factors Associated with Attitudes Towards Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: A Comparative Analysis of 17 sub-Saharan Countries’, Social Science and Medicine, Vol. 68, No. 10, pp. 1801-1809
References
Bastien, S., 2005, ‘The Construction of Gender in Times of Change: A Case Study of School-Based HIV/AIDS Education in Kilimanjaro’, Master’s dissertation, Institute for Educational Research, University of Oslo.
Gonzalez-Brenes, M., 2004, ‘Domestic Violence and Household Decision-making: Evidence from East Africa’, Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Economics, University of California Berkeley.
Heise, L., Ellsberg M., and Gottemoeller, M., 1998, ‘Violence Against Women: an Integrated, Ecological Framework’, Violence Against Women, Vol. 4, pp. 262- 290.
Heise, L., 2002, ‘A Global Overview of Gender-based Violence’, International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Vol. 78, Supplement 1, pp. S5–S14.
Hinden, M., 2003, ‘Understanding Women’s Attitudes Wife Beating in Zimbabwe’, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Vol. 81, pp. 501-508.
Kijo-Bisimba, H., N.d., ‘Major Laws Relating to Women’s Lives’, Legal and Human Rights Center, http://tanzania.fes-international.de/doc/wr-major-laws.pdf.
Kimuna, S.R., and Djamba, Y.K., 2008, ‘Gender-Based Violence: Correlates of Physical and Sexual Wife Abuse in Kenya’, Journal of Family Violence, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 333-342.
McCloskley, L., Williams, C., and Larsen, U., N.d., ‘Relationship Characteristics Associated with Intimate Partner Violence in Moshi, Tanzania’, Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health.
Ministry of Planning, Economy, and Empowerment, 2006, ‘Status Report: National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty’, United Republic of Tanzania. Mzinga, J., 2002, ‘Changing Gender Roles in Tanzania’, Sexual Health Exchange, Vol. 4. National Bureau of Statistics, 2002, Kilimanjaro Region Socio-Economic Profile (2nd Ed.), Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner’s Office.
Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1 July 2008, Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act, No. 4.
Population and Housing Census, 2002, ‘Population by Village, 5 Year Age Group and Sex’, United Republic of Tanzania.
Rutazaa, A., 2005, ‘Tanzanian Women and Access to Law: The Case of Kilimanjaro’, Durham, North Carolina, Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy, Duke University.
Uthman, O., Lawoko, S., and Moradi, T., 2009, ‘Factors Associated with Attitudes Towards Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: A Comparative Analysis of 17 sub-Saharan Countries’, Social Science and Medicine, Vol. 68, No. 10, pp. 1801-1809