Zimbabwean diaspora, migration, culture, relationships, domestic violence (original) (raw)
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The Complex nature of Domestic Violence against women in postcolonial Zimbabwe
How has this violence against women unexpectedly survived across two different political regimes of the colonial and post-colonial state? This is the question that has to be answered by this paper. This paper argues that what only reduced was just flagrant and spectacular violence but other hidden and more damaging forms of violence such as domestic violence have been maintained across the boundary of independence and have in fact increased due to the intricate nature of patriarchy, the power and economic differences of the actors, the private location of the violence and social and structural justification of violence.
This qualitative study, in the form of in-depth semi-structured interviews which were analysed through Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) was carried out with divorced Zimbabweans living in the UK. Their stories, presented in this paper, shed light into the interplay between migration, enculturation and divorce. A snowball sample of 30 interviews were conducted over a period of six months in 2019 with participants from across the UK (excl. Northern Ireland). Most of the respondents were middle-aged, [30-45] and all had been living in the UK for at least one year. The research revealed how enculturation tensions are associated with marriage problems, but also how male divorcees were resistant to change as the change was perceived as a threat to their masculinity, leading to conflicts and ultimately divorce. Themes regarding structural inequalities, cultural ideologies, gender and violence are explored. Our findings have important implications for social services and marriage counsellors.
The utility of the Zimbabwean Domestic Violence Act : Christian and Muslim women's experiences
2012
In domestic violence, it is usually women who are the victims, while men are the perpetrators but it should be noted that males can also fall victim to female abusers. Across the globe, one of the most common forms of violence against women is the abuse of women by their husbands or their intimate male partners. While men can also fall victim at the hands of their female intimate partners (Durfee 2011:316; Lappen 2007:1), domestic violence is in most cases perpetrated by men (Alelhie 2011:35;
Partner Violence against Women in Zimbabwe: Prevalence, Forms, and Implications for Legislations
Deleted Journal, 2024
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of partner violence against women (PVAW) in Zimbabwe, with a specific focus on the districts of Zvimba and Karoi. The research utilized a mixed-method approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather data. Questionnaires were used to collect information, while focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) provided valuable insights from participants. The findings revealed that the overall prevalence rate of PVAW was 63.5%. More specifically, sexual, economic, physical, and emotional partner violence against women were prevalent at rates of 18.5%, 37.1%, 43.3%, and 46.1% respectively. The results highlight the significant violation of human rights that PVAW represents and emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive legal frameworks to address this issue. Although laws such as the Domestic Violence Act and the ongoing consideration of the Women's Anti-Discrimination Bill exist to address PVAW, their implementation and enforcement are hindered by various challenges. This study underscores the importance of strengthened coordination among different institutions and emphasizes the necessity of education awareness, transparency, and accountability in the implementation and enforcement of these laws. Efforts should be made to strengthen legislation that criminalizes all forms of partner violence and ensures the protection of survivors.
Domestic violence legislation in Zimbabwe: Probing into the security of women in rural communities
2018
Domestic violence is violence that happens between family members in the home. In most cases, domestic violence is understood as violence against women and girls, although men and boys may also be victims. Where women and girls are victims, domestic violence is also referred to as gender-based violence (GBV) because of the gender stereotypes that subordinate women and girls to men and boys. The United Nations, through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), defines GBV as “violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately”.2 This definition suggests that, generally, women are victims of male violence. However, even when it is the focus of CEDAW to protect women from male violence, domestic violence also affects men and boys in the home.
Cogent Social Sciences, 2022
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an urgent public health priority. It is a neglected issue in women's health, especially in urban slums in Nepal and globally. This study was designed to better understand the IPV experienced by young pregnant women in urban slums of the Kathmandu Valley, as well as to identify their coping strategies, care and support seeking behaviours. Womens' views on ways to prevent IPV were also addressed. Methods: 20 young pregnant women from 13 urban slums in the Kathmandu valley were recruited purposively for this qualitative study, based on pre-defined criteria. In-depth interviews were conducted and transcribed, with qualitative content analysis used to analyse the transcripts. Results: 14 respondents were survivors of violence in urban slums. Their intimate partner(s) committed most of the violent acts. These young pregnant women were more likely to experience different forms of violence (psychological, physical and sexual) if they refused to have sex, gave birth to a girl, or if their husband had alcohol use disorder. The identification of foetal gender also increased the experience of physical violence at the prenatal stage. Interference from in-laws prevented further escalation of physical abuse. The most common coping strategy adopted to avoid violence among these women was to tolerate and accept the husbands' abuse because of economic dependence. Violence survivors sought informal support from their close family members. Women suggested multiple short and long term actions to reduce intimate partner violence such as female education, economic independence of young women, banning identification of foetal gender during pregnancy and establishing separate institutions within their community to handle violence against young pregnant women. Conclusions: Diversity in the design and implementation of culturally and socially acceptable interventions might be effective in addressing violence against young pregnant women in humanitarian settings such as urban slums. These include, but are not limited to, treatment of alcohol use disorder, raising men's awareness about pregnancy, addressing young women's economic vulnerability, emphasising the role of health care professionals in preventing adverse consequences resulting from gender selection technologies and working with family members of violence survivors.
Examining the Perceptions of Zimbabwean Women about the Domestic Violence Act
The purpose of this study is to qualitatively examine how Christian women from Zimbabwe perceived the effectiveness of the Domestic Violence Act in preventing and responding to domestic violence. The study also aims to understand the unique social, cultural, and religious context of the participants that affect their attitudes and beliefs about this legislation. The findings of the study are based on an analysis of qualitative interviews. The women were recruited from the Roman Catholic Church (RCC); Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ); Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ); Zimbabwe Assembly of God Africa (ZAOGA), and Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in the Masvingo urban area. Most of the participants expressed confidence in the Act, saying that it goes a long way in curbing domestic violence. The participants who indicated lack of confidence in the Act argued that it is contrary to the teachings of their Christian denominations. The study also revealed that lack of confidence in the Act is due to lack of knowledge about the legislation. In particular, many were unaware of the fact that physical, psychological, and emotional abuse constitutes justification for a protection order that can remain in force when a protected person is living with the Article
In Zimbabwe, levels of spousal Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remain a health, human rights and development concern. The main objective of this study was to investigate the association between spousal GBV and women's empowerment among women aged 15-49 who were currently in union or living with a man. The analysis utilised the 2010-11 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) data. Spousal violence was measured by different forms of GBV i.e. physical, emotional, sexual violence and overall GBV. Overall, 48% of women of reproductive age who are in a union experience some type of GBV. More specifically, 27% report physical violence, 26% sexual violence and 25% emotional violence. The analysis showed that women who did not participate in decision-making at household level were more likely to experience GBV than those who do. Women who have control over their spouses' earnings were less likely to suffer from GBV. However, ownership of property (land and/or house) was not associated with spousal GBV. Women who were in polygamous unions, whose spouses drank alcohol, earned less than their spouses and had a history of non-spousal physical violence were more likely to experience GBV than all other women. Younger women (aged 15-19 years) were more likely to experience spousal emotional, physical and sexual violence than the older age groups. Recommendations are to improve women's participation in decision making, mainstreaming GBV in development, and improve the economic and social emancipation of women and girls.
Domestic Violence in Urban Areas in Zimbabwe: a Case Study of Glen Norah (Harare)
This study revealed that domestic violence is highly prevalent in Glen Norah and that it has sexual, emotional, psychological, economic, political and social dimensions. The main perpetrators of domestic violence are men; women and children are the main victims. The study also revealed that legislation is not widely adhered to and that most cases of domestic violence are not reported. Awareness and sensitisation programmes done by the state and non state actors are useful but cultural and economic factors hamper their usefulness. The main recommendations are that domestic violence should be criminalised, legislation should be tightened and victims should be supported and protected. Domestic violence is a threat to all forms of human development. Therefore it is everyone's duty to eliminate domestic violence.
The article employs the narratives of those left behind to explore the impact of migration on the Zimbabwean family institution and its gender terrain in the post-2000 period. It uses narratives collected from various categories of people including spouses, grandparents, siblings, in-laws, teachers, civil servants and lawyers in order to explore the nature and extent of the crisis created by migration. The article argues that on the whole, migration has produced a crisis of expectation amongst those left behind in the Zimbabwean society and, to a certain extent, to the migrants themselves by failing to satisfactorily address their plight. This crisis includes family breakdowns, family feuds, neglect of those left behind, betrayal as well as delinquency among children, particularly those of school going age.