Intimate partner violence against adolescent brides in Pwani region, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Little is known about adolescent brides and their experiences of physical, emotional, and sexual violence, and the factors that are associated with intimate partner violence. This was a case study that involved adolescent brides aged 13–17 years who had been married for one year or more or had gotten divorced within the year prior to this study. A snowball sampling method was used to select 25 participants. Data collection was done qualitatively using in-depth interviews. Data analysis was done using a thematic approach. The forms of physical violence that were identified included: beating without a weapon and beating with a weapon. Forms of emotional violence that were reported included insult, humiliation, and restrictions on freedom. Regarding sexual violence, respondents reported sexusal abuse involving use of physical force and sexual abuse not involving use of physical force. The study revealed that the common factors seen to contribute to intimate partner violence are gender norms that condone men’s controlling behaviour; women’s economic dependency on their husbands; men’s engagement in extramarital affairs; and alcohol consumption. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that the existing strategies for ending gender-based violence have paid very little attention to the plight of adolescent brides.