Articulating the Role of Social Norms in Sustaining Intimate Partner Violence in Mwanza,Tanzania

Men’s Reflections on Romantic Jealousy and Intimate Partner Violence in Mwanza, Tanzania

“…In communities still subscribing to patriarchal ideals, men exercise more power and may resort to violence to enforce their authority (Howard-Merrill et al, 2022; Manji, 2018 ). In such settings, gender norms prescribe that women should acquiesce to her male partner's sex urges with the only exception being that they are sick or having their menstrual periods ( Mchome et al, 2020 ). Also, women are expected to be faithful to their partners while it is the norm for men to have multiple sexual relationships.…”

“…Like in many other sub-Saharan countries, in Mwanza relationships are framed along different gender norms and roles for men and women. In communities still subscribing to patriarchal ideals, men exercise more power and may resort to violence to enforce their authority (Howard-Merrill et al, 2022;Manji, 2018). In such settings, gender norms prescribe that women should acquiesce to her male partner's sex urges with the only exception being that they are sick or having their menstrual periods (Mchome et al, 2020).…”

“…In our study, very few men (3) reported their female partners threatening to leave the relationship. In the study setting, women's poor ability to leave abusive relationships can be explained by social constraints imposed through gender norms such as those that define women's roles in families as caretakers of their children and as the ones responsible for keeping their marriages and family together (Manji, 2018). Failure to that leads to blame from the community.…”