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Abstract
Kenya has some of the highest rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in the world, particularly intimate partner violence. World Vision completed a rapid ethnographic assessment to explore common problems faced by men and local perspectives about the links between men, mental health, alcohol use and GBV. Data from community free-listing surveys (n=52), four focus group discussions and two key informant interviews formed the basis for thematic analysis and findings. Lack of jobs, 'idleness' and finances were viewed as top priority concerns facing men; however, alcohol and substance use were equally prioritised. Family problems, crime and general psychosocial issues (e.g., high stress, low self-esteem) were also reported. Men withdrawing socially, changing behaviour and increasing alcohol consumption were described as signs that men were experiencing mental health challenges. The community observed alcohol use as the biggest cause of GBV, believing men resorted to drinking because of having 'too much time', marital conflict, psychosocial issues and access to alcohol. The findings theorise that a circular link between unemployment, alcohol and crime is likely contributing to familial, psychosocial and gender concerns, and that men's mental health support may assist to re-direct a trajectory for individuals at risk of perpetrating GBV. Data confirmed that GBV is a major concern in these Kenya communities and has direct links with alcohol use, which is subsequently linked to mental health and psychosocial problems. Attempting to disrupt progression to the perpetration of violence by men, via mental health care interventions, warrants further research.
Highlights
Kenya has some of the highest rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in the world, intimate partner violence
Issues related to lack of jobs, subsequent ‘idleness’ and lack of finances were the top priority; this was almost matched by the number of respondents who reported alcohol and substance use/ abuse being a major problem faced by men in their communities
Highlights of results showed that unemployment and its related consequences – financial problems and ‘idleness’ as well as alcohol and substance use – were perceived by the Waithaka and Muitini communities to be the most common problems faced by men
Summary
Kenya has some of the highest rates of GBV in the world. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS & ICF Macro, 2010), more than 41% of Kenyan women experience sexual and/or physical violence by intimate partners in their lifetime, while in a 12-month period, 31% of women are living with global mental health active violence in their homes. Women described men’s alcohol consumption, drug use, lack of employment and poverty-related stressors to be substantial contributors to GBV, and it was suggested that GBV prevention and reduction may be achieved by addressing common mental health problems among men in the community (Schafer et al 2013; Schafer, 2014). Prior to World Vision Kenya rolling out a group version of PM+ for men with common mental health problems in a definitive feasibility study, it was necessary to initially explore various factors: issues facing men in the intervention communities; presentations of mental health problems; local perspectives about men, and their mental health, alcohol use and GBV. Alcohol and substance use and violence against women in these target communities
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