Female domestic violence against men in traditional rural societies: a case study of Chiawa community in Kafue district.
Date
2022-06-20
Authors
Hatimbula, Mainga
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
This study was conducted in order to investigate the causal factors and the consequences of female domestic violence against men among the Goba speaking people of Chiawa community in Kafue district.
A qualitative case study was used. The main instruments used in data collection were semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). Data was collected from 27 participants who included 15 community members, 4 village heads, one Chieftainess’ representative, 2 clergymen, the local court adjudicator, the clinic officer, 2 head teachers and the Victim Support Unit coordinator. Of the 27 respondents, 16 were males and 11 were females. Snowball and purposive sampling techniques were used.
Several studies on domestic violence have been conducted but they are largely biased towards urban societies with mixed cultures. They do not show the causes and consequences of female domestic violence against men in a traditional rural society particularly within a single tribal grouping like the Goba speaking people of Chiawa community. This has consequently created a need to conduct a research in the area in order to understand what the problem is, hence this study.
The findings of the study showed that the causes of female domestic violence against men included cheating and being involved in extra-marital affairs, failure to provide for the family, alcohol and drug abuse, defense and retaliating for male dominance. The consequences manifested in physical assault which resulted into health effects, broken homes, increased poverty levels, prostitution, staying away from home and dependents copying the violent acts from parents or guardians.
The impact of culture on domestic violence are embedded in the Goba cultural practice which is biased towards women and the teaching of being secretive. These contributed to the low reporting levels of violence cases. Solutions to the problem of female domestic violence against men can be broadly categorised into: the need to apply the law equally, stiff punishment to perpetrators of domestic violence and the need for more sensitisation and counselling for both the victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
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Keywords
Family violence. , Family violence--Prevention.