Help-Seeking Pathways and Barriers for ... - EngenderHealth

Part III: Results
A. Community Perceptions of Violence
Societal acceptance of GBV is widespread in Tanzania; a recent assessment of GBV policies
and services in Tanzania found that several forms of GBV, including intimate partner
physical and sexual violence and rape, are “seen as normal” and “met with acceptance” by
both men and women. 13 Similarly, the 2010 TDHS found that more than half (53.5%) of
women and more than a third (38.1%) of men agree with at least one justification for wife
beating. 14
The present study aimed to further explore these perceptions and document the norms that
influence GBV reporting, help-seeking, and responses. This part of the paper presents
results from the PFG exercises, which explored three key questions:
What acts or behaviors constitute GBV in the community
Which of these acts are considered within the range of socially and culturally
accepted norms
What forms of GBV are not tolerated by women and their communities
Sub-section 1 presents findings on the types of violent acts identified by participants as GBV
and perceptions on their acceptability within community norms. Sub-sections 2 and 3 then
provide further detail on the types of violence generally perceived to be acceptable and
those deemed to be unacceptable.
The study also aimed to assess the extent to which perceptions on the acceptability of
different types of GBV were consistent between men and women, urban and rural residents,
and older and younger participants. Where notable differences were found, these are
highlighted in sub-section 4 below.
1. Community Definitions of GBV
Overall, respondents had a relatively high awareness of what constitutes GBV and identified
a range of violent behaviors during the free-listing exercise. Throughout the discussions,
however, participants described many types of GBV that are acceptable within the social
and cultural norms of their communities. While this does not imply that individuals condone
these acts, the normative environment suggests that violent behaviors are common and
largely accepted as a part of relationships, marriage, or the social roles occupied by men
and women. It is also important to note that there was no clear consensus within or across
gender lines about which types of GBV to include under which category of acceptability.
13 Betron. (2008).
14 The five justifications for wife beating included in the TDHS are: i) burns the food; ii) argues with him; iii)
goes out without telling him; iv) neglects the children; and v) refuses to have sex with him. NBS et al.
(2011).
Help-Seeking Pathways and Barriers for Survivors of GBV in Tanzania March 2013
Page 17