Universal or specific? - Violence against women in public spaces in Tanzania: Experiences from public bus stations in Dar es Salaam City

Abstract

This article is based on a study that sought to establish factors that influence violence against women in public transport spaces in Dar es Salaam City. Data were gathered by using surveys, in-depth interviews and reviews of relevant documents. Quantitative data collected from the surveys were analyzed and presented in tabular forms using percentages, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis and presented as narratives. Findings indicated that women experience various forms of violence such as physical violence, verbal abuse and sexual abuse. Furthermore, it was found that violence against women in public transport spaces in Dar es Salaam City is influenced by four factors; cultural, legal, geographical, and economic factors. The study findings further revealed that violence against women at the Public Transport Bus Stations in Dar es Salaam City leads to psychological, economic, health and social effects. Three types of initiatives are found wanting so as to curb violence against women in public transport spaces and these are: legal, behavioral and infrastructure initiatives. It was further established that violence against women in public transport spaces is a multi-faceted problem, deriving its roots from social, economic and geographical contexts of the public spaces. It is recommended that responsible government institutions should establish the necessary legal and policy frameworks as well as conducive physical infrastructures at bus stations and inside the public buses so as to prevent violence against women. Overall, what comes out of this study is a parrallel to other cited studies on violence against women in public spaces suggesting that the cultural and socio-economic and structural dynamics that influence violence against women are not territorial but universal.