Title:Justification for Domestic Violence and Women’s Autonomy in Zambia
VOLUME: 3 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Cecilia Mengo and Vijayan Pillai
Affiliation:OSU College of Social Work, 1947 College Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA., School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas, 76019, USA.
Keywords:Autonomy, developing countries, domestic violence, women.
Abstract:Background: In many African countries, cultural practices along with
deteriorating economic conditions have resulted increases in the number of cases
of domestic violence. Furthermore, high levels of gender equality has contributed
to a normative climate of acceptance and justification of domestic violence. The
primary purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between women’s
autonomy and justification for domestic violence among women in Zambia.
Method: The Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data for Zambia (2008) was
used. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to develop a scale of
women’s autonomy. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the predictors
of justification for domestic violence.
Results: Logistic regression results show that two indicators of women’s autonomy, low levels of
education and high degree of spouse control significantly increase the odds of justification for
domestic violence.
Conclusion: The scale developed in this study to measure women’s autonomy in Zambia will have
to be validated for several other African countries. The items that constitute the scale suggest directions
for interventions to empower women.
