Ethnic, Educational, and Occupational Dimensions of Domestic Violence in Southern Nigeria

Purpose: This study examined the effect of a married woman’s ethnicity, education, and occupation on domestic violence in Southern Nigeria. The specific goals are to determine the impact of ethnicity, education, and occupation on domestic violence in Southern Nigeria, and assess the determinants of domestic violence in Southern Nigeria. Design/Methodology/Approach: The data from the 2018 Demographic Health Survey (DHS) was analysed using the logit and ordered logit regression techniques. The study considered married women aged between 15- 50 years in the Southern part of Nigeria. Findings: Our findings show that the Ethnicity of a married woman has a positive effect on domestic violence in Southern Nigeria, In the region, being Yoruba, Hausa, and Ijaw reduces the odds of a woman suffering domestic violence. Education has a positive impact on domestic violence, indicating that, the more educated the partner is, the lesser the odds of a woman suffering domestic violence. Gainfully employed women are more prone to suffer domestic violence in Southern Nigeria, that is, having a job increases the odds of a woman suffering domestic violence. Conclusion: At the end of the study, it was discovered that ethnicity and occupation have a positive effect on domestic violence, while education on the other hand is negatively related to domestic violence in Southern Nigeria.