Controlling and punishing women: violence against Ghanaian women

Ampofo, Akosua Adomako

doi:10.1080/03056249308703991

Cited by 28 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…5 Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. 6 Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre, Accra, Ghana.…”

Section: Acknowledgementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women's vulnerability to experiencing IPV is exacerbated by their relative lack of material resources, which creates dependency on male partners, as well as community norms of male dominance and acceptance of violence, with cultural ideologies that place women in subordinate positions [2,4,5]. These structures of domination and exploitation of women, which heighten their vulnerability to violence, obtain legitimacy from patriarchy [4,6,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Patriarchy and gender-inequitable attitudes as drivers of intimate partner violence against women in the central region of Ghana

et al. 2020

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Background: In order to reduce women's exposure to violence and develop culturally appropriate interventions, it is important to gain an understanding of how men who use violence rationalize it. The present study sought to explore the perspectives of men who had used violence on their female partners, specifically their views on intimate partner violence (IPV), gender norms, manhood, their gender attitudes and to understand how these may drive male perpetrated IPV against women in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: This was a qualitative study involving purposively sampled adult men who had participated in a household-based survey in selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana and who had self-reported perpetration of IPV in the past 12 months. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 men. Results: Data revealed how a range of social, cultural, and religious factors ̶ stemming from patriarchy ̶ combined to inform the construction of a traditional masculinity. These factors included the notion that decision-making in the home is a man's prerogative, there should be rigid and distinct gender roles, men's perceptions of owning female partners and having the right to have sex with them whenever they desire, and the notion that wife beating is legitimate discipline. Findings suggest that it was through performing, or aspiring to achieve, this form of masculinity that men used varying forms of violence against their female partners. Moreover, data show that the men's use of violence was a tactic for controlling women and emphasizing their authority and power over them.

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“…5 Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. 6 Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre, Accra, Ghana.…”

Section: Acknowledgementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patriarchy and gender-inequitable attitudes as drivers of intimate partner violence against women in the central region of Ghana

et al. 2020

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“…Thus, it is surprising that to date there is limited empirical assessment of the help-seeking behaviors of victims of IPV in Nigeria. Previous research in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria limited the discussions on IPV to unravelling factors that perpetuate such acts and examining the socioeconomic and cultural underpinnings of violent behaviors (see Amoakohene, 2004; Ampofo, 1993; Nwabunike & Tenkorang, 2015; Ofei-Aboagye, 1994; Oyeridan & Isiugo-Abanihe, 2005; Tenkorang, Owusu, Yeboah, & Bannerman, 2013). The current study broadens our understanding of IPV in Nigeria by examining patterns of help-seeking behaviors, and whether severity and type of IPV influence the type of help sought by abused women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Type and Severity of Violence Affect the Help-Seeking Behaviors of Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Nigeria?

Tenkorang

Sedziafa

Owusu

2016

Journal of Family Issues

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Using data from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (N = 6,013) and applying multinomial logit models, we examined whether type and severity of intimate partner violence (IPV) influence victims’ help-seeking behaviors. Results showed that about 65% of women did not seek help after experiencing IPV. However, most women who sought help did so from informal sources only (31.3%), compared with formal sources (1.9%). Type and severity of violence were significant predictors of the help-seeking behaviors of Nigerian women. Women who experienced severe forms of physical and emotional violence were more likely to seek help from formal and informal support services, than not seeking help. Sexual violence was not a significant predictor of women’s help-seeking behaviors. It is important to educate women on the relevance of seeking help, especially from formal support services after experiencing IPV.

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“…Although a multiplicity of factors, ranging from structural processes such as economic considerations (McCloskey, Williams, & Larsen, 2005) and life course experiences (Braveman & Barclay, 2009) to cultural practices (see, for example, Amoakohene, 2004; Ampofo, 1993; Koenig et al, 2003; Mann & Takyi, 2009), have been identified as important determinants of whether a woman will be abused or not, the cultural perspectives that point to African traditions, customs, and norms seem to dominate the discourse on intrafamilial violence research in SSA (see, for example, Bowman, 2003). Proponents of the cultural narrative argue that structures of domination and subordination, which is often peddled through the concept of patriarchy, in large part explain women’s abuse and victimization in SSA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Faith and Marital Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring the Links Between Religious Affiliation and Intimate Partner Violence Among Women in Ghana

Takyi

Lamptey

2016

J Interpers Violence

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Research shows that intimate partner violence is quite widespread throughout the world. In the case of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), studies have concluded that cultural and economic factors help to sustain the spread and maintenance of intimate partner violence in the region. Although the cultural interpretations predominate in current research, few have examined the links between religion, an important cultural variable, and intimate partner violence in SSA. Given the growth and importance of religion in African cultures, we used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic Health Survey ( n = 1,831) and ordinary least squares regression method to investigate the links between religious affiliation and intimate partner violence. Findings from our study point to some variations in intimate partner violence by affiliation. This is especially true with regard to women's experience with sexual violence and emotional violence. Besides religion, we also found ideologies that support wife abuse, the nature of decision-making process at the household level, and husband's use of alcohol to be important determinants of intimate partner violence in Ghana. We examined the implications of these findings.

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Controlling and punishing women: violence against Ghanaian women

Cited by 28 publications

References 1 publication

Patriarchy and gender-inequitable attitudes as drivers of intimate partner violence against women in the central region of Ghana

Patriarchy and gender-inequitable attitudes as drivers of intimate partner violence against women in the central region of Ghana

Does Type and Severity of Violence Affect the Help-Seeking Behaviors of Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Nigeria?

Faith and Marital Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring the Links Between Religious Affiliation and Intimate Partner Violence Among Women in Ghana

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