The study examines violence against women from the angle of intimate partner violence and was undertaken in Kambia and Moyamba Districts of Sierra Leone. The rate of violence against women is high with five out of every ten women being abused by their intimate partners. The level of tolerance for such violence by women themselves is also alarming. The qualitative study investigated the possible underlying reasons behind this high prevalence as well the factors that place women in the position to tolerate violence. A case study method was applied using semi-structured interviews to collect primary data from 60 respondents, comprising 20 community leaders, 20 affected women and 20 women from peer groups of affected women, selected using purposive sampling. The research questioned the acceptable norms towards violence and how they are gendered; how the various forms of violence against women are manifested; the perspectives of men and women regarding intimate partner violence; and finally, the factors that place women in position to tolerate wife beating. The conceptual framework is based on the social ecological model propagated by Lori Heise which was used to examine the multiple levels of the causes and perpetuation of violence in intimate relationships. Key findings include the shared belief that women and men in the study area hold on women’s inferiority to men. Violence in general is not condoned in community settings. However intimate partner violence is seen as a private matter and sometimes deemed necessary treatment of women who fail to meet or outstep their expected gender roles as wives and mothers. Emotional violence is the most pervasive form of intimate partner violence. In general, affected women who tolerate violence have limited choices for opting out of the abusive relationship due mainly to large family size, their lack of autonomy and restrictive social norms related to marriage. Women tolerate abuse because of the shame associated with reporting it and rely instead on family mediation. In conclusion, I have proposed that women’s low resilience to challenge diverse external forces is the key factor for acceptance of partner violence, rather than her manipulation by external factors.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
- Chapter Overview
- Problem Statement
- Aims and objectives of the study
- The aim of the study
- Specific objectives
- The significance of the study
- Key Research Questions
- Conceptual/Theoretical Framework
- Methods used in the research
- Ethical considerations
- Limitations of the study
- Structure of the research
- CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
- Introduction
- Contextualizing Gender and VAW in Sierra Leone
- Understanding Violence
- Domestic violence against women
- Structural Violence
- Cultural justification of violence
- Conceptual framework
- Conclusion
- CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
- Introduction
- Study Area
- Study design
- Sampling techniques
- Sample size
- Methods for data collection
- Method of analysis
- Limitations of the methodology and methods
- Ethical considerations
- Conclusion
- CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
- Introduction
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Demographic characteristics of informants
- Presentation of Findings
- The acceptable norms towards violence and how they are gendered
- How the various forms of violence committed against women are manifested
- The different perspectives of men and women regarding intimate partner violence
- Factors that place women in a position to tolerate and justify wife beating
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to examine intimate partner violence against women in Kambia and Moyamba Districts of Sierra Leone, investigating its high prevalence and the factors contributing to women's tolerance of such violence. The research utilizes a qualitative case study approach, employing semi-structured interviews to gather data from various stakeholders.
- Prevalence and acceptance of intimate partner violence in Sierra Leone.
- Underlying societal norms and beliefs that perpetuate gender-based violence.
- Factors influencing women's limited agency and tolerance of abuse.
- Different perspectives of men and women regarding intimate partner violence.
- The role of the social ecological model in understanding the complex issue of intimate partner violence.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter sets the stage for the study by introducing the problem of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in Sierra Leone. It outlines the study's aims and objectives, focusing on understanding the high prevalence of IPV and women's tolerance of it. The chapter details the research questions, the conceptual framework based on the social ecological model, the methodology, and ethical considerations. It also highlights the significance of the study in addressing a critical social issue and its limitations. The structure of the thesis is presented, guiding the reader through the subsequent chapters.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter provides a comprehensive review of existing literature on gender-based violence, particularly focusing on its context within Sierra Leone. It explores the concept of violence in its various forms, including domestic violence, structural violence, and culturally justified violence. The chapter examines how these intersect with gender dynamics and the social norms that shape attitudes and behaviors towards violence against women. This section lays the theoretical groundwork for the study by introducing and explaining the chosen social ecological framework. It also culminates in a conclusion summarizing the key insights from the reviewed literature.
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY: This chapter details the research design and methodology employed in the study. It describes the study area (Kambia and Moyamba Districts), the study design (qualitative case study), the sampling techniques (purposive sampling), and the sample size (60 respondents). The chapter elaborates on the data collection methods (semi-structured interviews) and data analysis techniques. Ethical considerations and limitations of the methodology are also addressed transparently, ensuring the rigor and validity of the research approach.
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS: This chapter presents the findings of the study, analyzing the collected data to answer the research questions. It begins with a description of the demographic characteristics of the respondents. The chapter then systematically explores the acceptable norms towards violence, how different forms of violence manifest against women, and the perspectives of men and women regarding intimate partner violence. Crucially, it delves into the factors that contribute to women's tolerance of wife beating, providing rich qualitative data and insights.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Intimate Partner Violence, Gender-Based Violence, Sierra Leone, Women's Rights, Social Norms, Qualitative Research, Case Study, Social Ecological Model, Tolerance of Abuse, Gender Inequality, Resilience.
Frequently asked questions
What is the document about?
This document is a language preview containing OCR data intended for academic use, analyzing themes related to intimate partner violence in Sierra Leone. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is included in the table of contents?
The table of contents outlines four chapters: Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, and Data Analysis and Findings. Each chapter is further broken down into subsections, such as problem statement, aims and objectives, methods used in research, ethical considerations, data collection, and presentation of findings.
What are the main objectives and key themes of the study?
The study aims to examine intimate partner violence against women in the Kambia and Moyamba Districts of Sierra Leone. Key themes include the prevalence and acceptance of intimate partner violence, societal norms perpetuating gender-based violence, factors influencing women's tolerance of abuse, different perspectives of men and women regarding intimate partner violence, and the role of the social ecological model.
Can you summarise the chapters?
Chapter 1 introduces the problem of IPV in Sierra Leone and its aims. Chapter 2 reviews the existing literature, concepts of violence, and the chosen framework. Chapter 3 details the research design and methodology. Chapter 4 presents the findings and discusses norms of violence, forms of violence manifested against women, and views about intimate partner violence.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
The keywords are: Intimate Partner Violence, Gender-Based Violence, Sierra Leone, Women's Rights, Social Norms, Qualitative Research, Case Study, Social Ecological Model, Tolerance of Abuse, Gender Inequality, and Resilience.
Where did the data originate?
The texts are obtained from a publishing company and contain OCR data intended solely for academic use.
What districts are the focus of this study?
The study focuses on the Kambia and Moyamba Districts of Sierra Leone.
What research methods were employed?
The study utilizes a qualitative case study approach, employing semi-structured interviews for data collection.
- Quote paper
- Grace Amie Harman (Author), 2018, Violence Against Women in Sierra Leone, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1568198
