FACTORS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AN INCREASE OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE ON WOMEN

BY THEIR HUSBANDS IN KISII COUNTY.

BY DAVIS ONSONGO BA/1766/20

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

PSYCHOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN
SOCIOLOGY OF MOI UNIVERSITY

SEPTEMBER 2023

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DECLARATION

This is my original work and has not been submitted for examination in any institution of learning

SIGN: DATE:

NAME: DAVIS ONSONGO

REG NO: BA/1766/20

supervisor

SIGN: DATE:

Prof Jamin Masinde

Department of sociology, psychology and anthropology

Moi University

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Violence against women (VAW) is a global issue with consequences in all dimensions of
women’s health. Though violence occurs in different forms and settings, ‘domestic violence’
(DV) is considered as the most pervasive form [1]. It includes violence perpetrated by spouse,
family members, and manifested through physical, sexual, psychological, economic abuse [2].

Globally, it has been a subject of research interest since 1970s but the detailed data indices is low
in developing world [3]. Gradually, VAW is considered as a legitimate human right issue as well
as a significant threat to women’s health and well-being [4]. World Health Organization (WHO)
multi-country study reported that 15–71 % of women had experienced violence [5, 6]. According
to Nepal Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2011, overall 1/3rd of women of reproductive age
group had ever experienced violence and 17 % reported violence in past 12 months [7]. A study
conducted in rural districts of Nepal revealed that almost half of the women (48 %) had
experienced violence at some time in their lives, and 28 % had experienced violence in the past
12 months; where emotional violence (40.4 %) was most commonly reported type of violence
followed by physical violence (26.8 %), sexual violence (15.3 %), and economic abuse/violence
(8 %) [8]. Similarly, according to findings of a study from Nepal, overall 58 % of women had

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experienced some forms of sexual coercion from their husbands [9]. Approximately 28.6 % of
women complained about several physical health problems followed by reproductive (28.2 %)
and mental health problems (16.3 %) [10]. The context of gender based violence (GBV), driven
by social, cultural, religious, and gender norms, is compounded by years of political conflict
resulting the risk increment of violence [11]. Inclusion of module of DV for the first time in
NDHS highlights it as a serious national issue with limited data related to it. DV exists in
‘culture of silence’ and is typically enmeshed in several factors operating at different levels of
society [12–14]. On account of previous studies in Nepal several factors like economic
dependency, marriage practices, alcoholic husband, illiteracy, female subservience, women’s
lack of autonomy to name a few has been identified as aggravating factors of violence [8, 15,
16]. Wide ranging figures in different settings with various possible risk and protective factors
highlight the need of continuous research approach on VAW in different cultures and
circumstances [17]. It is sad to mention that the act against DV has not been implemented
adequately in the real world as violence is still persisting in our society.

Several literatures have shaded light on the DV affecting the various domains of women’s life.
Thus, the importance of knowledge of the prevalence and its associated factors of violence has
been emphasized through these literatures in order to establish a holistic health environment.
There are few literatures in our context that assess the mental health status of women and inspect
its association with the occurrence of violent incidents. This study strive for fulfillment of the
gaps in identifying need of restoring sound mental health of women in dealing DV effectively by
providing evidence for the relationship between DV and its contributing factors including mental
health status of women. Moreover, this study is believed to enlighten the existing condition of
DV in a particular rural area of Nepal, which will supplement the existing literatures, assist the
policy makers for planning and implementing appropriate interventions through identifying the
associated factors

1.2 Problem Statement

Involving the partial or total removal of female genitalia for cultural or non-therapeutic reasons.
Its prevalence varies significantly among different ethnic groups. According to the KDHS

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(2009), FGM is nearly universal among the Somali (97%), Kisii (96%), Kuria (96%), and Maasai
(93%). It is also common among other groups like Taita/Taveta, Kalenjin, Embu, and Meru,
while levels are lower among Kikuyu, Kamba, Turkana, and Mijikenda/Swahili.

The World Health Organization has recognized FGM as a severe threat to women's health,
especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, since 1979. Despite international and domestic legislation,
including Kenya's Constitution of 2010, FGM remains prevalent and continues to endanger the
rights and well-being of girls and women. Various factors, such as ignorance of child rights, the
age at which girls undergo FGM, and associated health risks, contribute to the persistence of this
harmful practice.

Efforts have been made to reduce FGM, including sensitization, education, and intervention
programs by government and non-governmental organizations. However, the practice persists,
and methods for concealing it have become more discreet. Thus, understanding the underlyi

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study was to identify Factors that contributed to increase in gender based
violence among Women and Girls in Masimba KISII County.
According to report released by IRC (2014), Kisii County ranks among the top four
counties

in terms of reported cases of intimate partner violence in Kenya. In addition, the challenge
of

intimate partner violence in Kisii County has been acknowledged by Kisii county
integrated

development plan (2013). Further, although studies have been conducted to explore the
determinants of intimate partner violence (Obwanda, 2014; Djamb & Kimuna, 2008), these

studies have failed to explore physical determinants of violence against married women in

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Kisii County. It is this concern that informed this study that sought to examine the
determinants of physical violence on married women by their spouses in Kisii County.

1.4 objectives of study

Overall study objective was to establish determinants of physical violence on married
women

by their spouses in Kisii County.

The specific objectives were to:

i.

Establish the causes of physical violence on married women by their spouses

ii.

Determine the coping strategies adopted by married women undergoing physical violence
by their spouses

iii.

Identify the strategies that can be adopted to eliminate physical violence on married

women by their spouses

1.5 Research Questions

The research questions of the study sought to answer the following:

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i.

What are the causes of physical violence on married women?

ii.

What are the coping strategies adopted by married women undergoing physical violence by
their spouses?

iii.

Which strategies that can be adopted to eliminate physical violence on married women by
their spouses?

1.5 Justification of the Study

Women constitute a larger percentage of the world’s population and are responsible for the

well-being of households. Although women constitute large percentage of the world

population, they have continued to face challenges with regards to their rights. Women
experience

various forms of domestic violence and this has led to incorporation of the end to gender

based violence by 2030 according to the Sustainable Development Goals. One such violence

experienced by women is the physical violence. Although studies have been conducted to
establish the causes of physical violence on women across the globe, few studies have

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explored

physical violence among women of married status in varying contexts (Obwanda, 2014).

Locally, studies have sought to explore gender based violence that is meted against women.

However, reports have shown that gender based violence varies per counties with some
exhibiting highest count of gender based violence than others. This study will contribute to
the understanding of county specific factors that cause physical violence of married women
in

Kenya, specifically focusing on Kisii County.

1.6 significance of the Study

The findings, conclusions and recommendations emanating from this study will be useful to

various groups and individuals. Some of these groups include human rights advocates and

religious groups. These groups will be able to have more insight as to the possible causes of

physical violence against married women by their spouses, and thus be able to find effective

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ways of addressing the problem.

Further, study findings and recommendations will benefit policy makers at both county
and

national level. The policy makers can develop effective gender policies that will ensure
reduction in the number of cases of physical violence in the country. In addition, this study
will

be beneficial to scholars who will use the findings and recommendations to develop and
expand their studies on the subject of physical violence more so on difference based on
marital

status.

1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study

Although violence against women has many facets, this study has confined itself to
investigating determinants of physical violence on married women by their spouses in Kisii
County.

The focus on Kisii County is due to increased cases of physical violence towards married

women. Kisii County is among the top 4 counties with the highest rate of spousal physical

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violence with the three other counties being Mombasa, Meru and Busia counties (IRC,
2014).

The study targeted women who had undergone physical violence occasioned by their
husbands. Further, a criteria was used to select married women within the reproductive
age of

between 18-49 years. The study was conducted between February 2018 and May 2018. This

enabled the researcher to interrogate recent cases of physical violence towards married
women by their spouses.

However, findings, conclusions, and recommendations were limited to the study site as it

may have specific socio-economic and cultural factors that influence the findings. This was

however not to lose sight of the fact that there may be features of the findings that could
apply to other categories of women undergoing violence in other areas. Therefore, the
generalization of the findings should be done with caution.

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