Couples' Perspectives on Gender and Intimate Partner Violence: Insights from the RESPECT Study, Tanzania

Suneeta Krishnan, RTI International, University of California, Berkeley and St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore
Divya Vohra, University of California, Berkeley
Rose Nathan, Ifakara Health Institute (IHI)

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health challenge globally and in Tanzania. Despite a growing recognition of the links between gender inequitable norms and IPV, few studies have empirically examined this association, and fewer still have explored couples’ perspectives on these issues. Our research addressed these gaps. We examined the relationship between perceptions of gender norms and IPV among young married couples participating in the RESPECT study, a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to prevent sexually transmitted infections in Tanzania. Men and women who held less equitable gender attitudes were more likely to be in a violent relationship. Participants reporting equality in sexual decision making and power within the relationship were less likely to be in violent relationships, as were couples who agreed on more equitable attitudes. Our results highlight the need for interventions promoting gender equitable attitudes among men and women.