Women’s economic empowerment programmes in reducing intimate partner violence in Zimbabwe
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Date
2023
Authors
Mutsikiwa, Eziwe
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This study sought to explore Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) programmes implemented in Zimbabwe with the key objective of reducing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). The study established that WEE programmes are increasingly being used as a tool for reducing IPV and could thus serve as a framework within which WEE programmes can be improved with the goal of reducing IPV in Zimbabwe. This novel single-embedded case study on WEE and IPV was underpinned by empowerment, capability, and liberal feminist and modernity theories.
Zimbabwe was purposively selected to provide a better understanding of why IPV cases are increasing in the wake of the implementation of WEE interventions embedding IPV reduction across the country. Methodologically, the sample included women who had been or were participating in WEE programmes at the time of the study, WEE implementing agencies, WEE programme funders, and government departments. Primary and secondary data were gathered using a questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Multinomial Logistic Regression Model (MLRM) and thematic analysis.
The study established that the root cause of IPV in Zimbabwe is linked to household finances, leading to financial tension between intimate partners. However, this root cause is sometimes, exacerbated by socio-cultural and religious factors within the participants’ context. In practice, access to finances is the key factor that the livelihood component of WEE interventions has been trying to strengthen and the relationship between the variables has been found to be statistically significant and contributing positively towards the reduction of IPV.
Sustainable livelihoods are believed to be critical in the reduction of IPV if coupled with relevant training, adequate funding, and well-structured partnerships between implementing agencies. The sustainability of livelihoods has however, remained a pipedream in Zimbabwe as is the case in most developing countries in Africa. The study recommends refinement of existing national policies, statutes, and instruments taking into account the local context relative to the causes of IPV.
In addition, innovation towards improving sustainability of financial and technical support to existing WEE programmes must also be prioritised. Funding agencies are further encouraged to avail more funding towards research as well as WEE-related Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) to ensure challenges are timely identified. Then, partnerships among agencies implementing WEE programmes with IPV reduction objectives must be strengthened to avoid duplicating certain activities whilst neglecting other important activities and actions. Beneficiaries are encouraged to identify champions among themselves who can lead in re-examining and strengthening women's associations, networks, and movements at every level of society. In conclusion, the study theoretically contributes to a WEE-strengthening framework that can be used in practice to reduce incidences of IPV.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.(Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2023
Keywords
Woman, empowerment, women’s economic empowerment (WEE), intimate partner violence (IPV), livelihood, programmes