Examining the effectiveness of prevention programmes being implemented to address the needs of women experiencing intimate partner violence in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
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Date
2021
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Abstract
As with other nations, South Africa still contends with women’s subordination in society which
leaves them vulnerable to many forms of violation. Existing literature claims that while policy
and legislative frameworks exist to eradicate intimate partner violence (IPV) in all spheres of
life, women continue to endure abuse in their private lives. Intervention programmes adopted
across the globe and at the national level to address the problem have been too limited in
systemically addressing IPV. Based on this foundation, this study, located in the interpretivist
paradigm, investigated the effectiveness of programmes being implemented to address the
needs of women experiencing IPV in Msinga, a rural area within the uMzinyathi District
Municipality in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The study employed a qualitative research design. The data collection methods included indepth
individual interviews and two focus group discussions. Purposive sampling was used to
select 40 individual interview participants. The first set of interviews and the first focus group
discussion were with the key informants (members of staff) from the organisations that were
identified as dealing with cases of IPV in Msinga. The second set of interviews and second
focus group discussion were held with 32 women survivors of IPV in Msinga. Both in-deth
indivual interviews and focus groups discussions examined the effectiveness of the IPV
programmes implemented in Msinga.
The post-structural feminist theory and the socio-ecological model were used as the theoretical
framework to inform the study. Informed by this framework, findings revealed that the
intersectionality of gender, race, class and ethnicity leave women from poor socio-economic
upbringing more vulnerable to IPV. Henceforth, IPV unfolds in an explicit context whereby
layers of disadvantage preserve women in a deprivation trap, resulting in a vicious cycle of
poverty. This observation echoes that women’s everyday realities are context-specific.
Against this background, the findings conclude that women’s lived experiences influence how
they construct the factors that perpetuate IPV in their relationships. Additionally, it was
discovered that in most occurrences the emotional and physical abuse of women are interwoven
and that a patriarchal system (yet again) perpatrate the oppression of women. Findings suggest
that structural inequalities and the socialisation of women in Msinga contribute to individual
and societal acceptance of IPV, consequently perpetuating the subordination of women. While
existing measures such as shelters for abused women provide protection, they are unable to
address the structural and systemic nature of IPV. Thus, women in rural areas who experience
IPV lack long-term support that is presented in a transformative and sustainable manner.
To promote effective IPV intervention, it is recommended that prevention programmes need to
occur at three levels: 1) At a primary prevention level. This is critical in preventing IPV in that
it intervenes with individuals, families and communities in ways that stop the perpetuation of
violent behaviours. 2) At a secondary intervention level. This provides victims with
information and services thereby mitigating the consequences of exposures to violence. 3) At
a tertiary intervention level. This is concerned with reducing the long-term negative effects of
violence. Merging primary, secondary and tertiary prevention strategies would be best
particularly in communities or families that are already characterised by violence.
Description
Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.