Exploring Kenyan Women’s Perceptions of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health problem and global human rights violation. Effective interventions can only be created upon conducting qualitative studies that explore the cultural context of an affected population and how they interpret the phenomenon. This qualitative study investigated Kenyan women's perceptions of IPV. Two community-based focus groups ( n = 19) were conducted with Kenyan women in Nairobi. Conventional content analysis identified seven primary themes that emerged from focus group data: snapshot of violence; poverty; cultural context; masculinity; women taking action; resources; and, prevention strategies. Themes are described and implications for further research and intervention are presented.

Safety decision-making and planning mobile app for intimate partner violence prevention and response: randomised controlled trial in Kenya

“…4 Enabling social norms include male-dominated decisionmaking and authority within relationships, as well as IPV tolerance that challenges women's ability to seek help and identify abusive experiences. [5][6][7] While a comprehensive approach to IPV requires addressing perpetration, sustained needs remain for supporting IPV survivors, particularly in high-prevalence settings. Safety planning for harm reduction is one of the most widely recommended interventions for IPV prevention and response.…”

“…4 Enabling social norms include male-dominated decision-making and authority within relationships, as well as IPV tolerance that challenges women’s ability to seek help and identify abusive experiences. 5–7 …”

Reproductive Coercion among Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in Nairobi

“…suggests the occurrence of RC and limited knowledge of reproductive safety strategies to protect against contraceptive-related partner pressure and violence (Wood et al 2019); these narratives arose in the context of formative research to inform a safety intervention for IPV survivors in Nairobi's informal settlements (myPlan Kenya). Context-specific research is needed to understand the dynamics of RC in Nairobi and other LMIC settings where women may have limited influence in negotiation and decision-making, and restricted options for seeking care or garnering support (Odero et al 2014;Gillum et al 2016;Umubyeyi et al 2016). Utilizing an explanatory mixed-methods design, this study aimed to test and refine the RCS and examine the prevalence and severity of RC among reproductive age women experiencing IPV.…”

Adapting the myPlan safety app to respond to intimate partner violence for women in low and middle income country settings: app tailoring and randomized controlled trial protocol

“…The prevalence of IPV is even higher in Nairobi's informal settlements, and confers profound consequences to physical, sexual and mental health [13]. Social norms create a culture of IPV tolerance that challenges women's ability to seek help or identify their experiences as abuse [14,15]. Practices such as dowry payment for marriage contribute to strict social norms of gender inequity including the dominance of male partners on decisions related to sex, control, and authority in the relationship, regardless of the woman's desires or preferences [16][17][18][19].…”