Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Kenya

Intimate partner violence is the most prevalent type of violence that women experience and it has significant public health and socioeconomic impacts. Studies of these impacts are limited in developing countries like Kenya, yet for accurate policy advice and resource allocation there is a need for precise empirical data on the determinants of spousal violence. Using the Demographic and Health Survey Data 2003, 2008/09 and 2014, this study used both linear probability and logit models to establish the determinants of various types of spousal violence. In addition, a multivariate probit analysis was carried out to account for potential unobserved heterogeneity among the factors affecting women's exposure to violence. The bivariate relationship between spousal income variation and attitudes towards violence as well as actual exposure to violence showed that 48% (95%, CI = 43%a-54%) of women earning more than their husband/partner reports acceptance of spousal violence, 41% (95% CI = 36%a-47%) report having experienced physical partner violence, while 76% (95% CI = 71%a-81%) report having experienced at least one form of partner violence in their lifetime. In terms of multivariate analysis, the absolute level of women's education did not protect them against partner violence, but increased vulnerability, while differential education shows a different picture with women who are more educated than their partners reporting less violence compared to their counterparts with the same or lower education. Conversely, women earning more than their husbands were more vulnerable to partner violence than their counterparts earning less or the same. This showed that compared to the education gap, the income gap threatened the position of men much more. This is in line with the socialization, cultural beliefs and norms of most of the Kenyan patriarchal communities in which the men are expected to be the household heads and financial providers. When this position is challenged, men use violence as an instrument of control. In addition, earning less and having a lower level of education significantly increased women's risk of exposure to physical violence, while intra-household income and education equality was a significant barrier to physical violence, control violence and exposure to at least one type of partner violence. In conclusion, to reduce physical, control or any other type of violence, the government needs to promote girl child education and income parity among men and women with the same level of education. Additionally, reproductive health education and interventions aimed at delaying or eliminating early pregnancies should be strengthened as this will not only improve women's health, but also act as a barrier to spousal violence against women. The government should integrate maternal health services and gender-based violence interventions to support regular screening and treatment of women victims of violence.