Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Women’s Reproductive Health: a Case of East Kanyamkago, Migori County, Kenya

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is one of the most widespread and socially tolerated forms of human rights violations, cutting across nationality, race, class, ethnicity, and religion. It has a profound social and economic impact on families, communities, and the entire nation. The overall objective of the study was to determine the effects of intimate partner violence on women’s reproductive health amongst the women living in East Kanyamkag, Migori County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive study that aimed at collecting both qualitative and quantitative data through semi structured interviews, case narrative and key informant interviews with 5 key selected informants. The study sampled 50 respondents (women between the age of 15-49 years, who were in an intimate relationship and survivors of IPV). 5 key informants were also sampled, this included the area chief, women group leader, religious leader, counselling psychologist and the civil society organization representative. The data was collected using both questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) tool and descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency distribution used to present the data. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis along the lines of the specific objectives. The study established that cultural beliefs and practices accompanied by the socialization that women and men receive from childhood provide a fertile ground for intimate partner violence, men are deemed to be more powerful than women and as such, are given superior position in society and allowed authority over women in terms of decision making and control over women, including use of violence to exercise such control. Women are regarded as subordinate to men or as having stereotyped roles that perpetuate widespread practices involving violence or coercion. The other observation was that men had given themselves to excessive drinking thereby neglecting their responsibilities in the families and this was a major cause of increased intimate partner violence in East Kanyamkago. Finally, women’s overall health and social wellbeing is severely influenced by forms of physical, psychological or sexual violence perpetrated against them by their intimate partners.

The study recommends that the county government of Migori should introduce laws that will pass deterrent punishments to the perpetrators. They should also to organize for seminars which discourage men from irresponsible drinking, hence engage in productive activities. Need for the government to focus on empowering both the men and the women so that no one sees himself/herself as better that the other. The government through local leaders such as the Chiefs and the religious leaders should sensitize the community on the need for peaceful co-existence and where possible, a re-socialization process that inculcates new values regarding the relationships between men and women.