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

It depends how angry I am. You can control her by simple slapping because she has
gone against your former routines and how you live. You start by yelling at her and if
she reacts then you change the style and slap her a bit.
Male PFG participant (25+ years old), Mbeya
Economic violence
Participants described a number of forms of economic violence; the most frequently
mentioned was depriving a wife of basic needs, including clothing and food. In the female
PFGs, participants shared a sense that the expectation for a man to be the provider and
breadwinner are now changing, and, as a result, the failure to provide for his family isn’t
viewed as an unusual occurrence.
Not being provided with clothes and food is really seen as only a normal thing; nobody
sees that you are being harassed, being abandoned. He abandons you, he goes away.
Next day if he sees things are smooth he comes back in the evening, and caring for the
family.
Female PFG participant (25+ years old), Iringa
For example, a man can leave you with the responsibility of taking care of the family and
when you tell somebody she tells you, “It’s normal, bear with it.”
Female PFG participant (18-24 years old), Dar es Salaam
As mentioned earlier, the Law of Marriage Act requires men to provide maintenance for their
children. However, neglecting to do so is not deemed a criminal offense. In addition, proof
of paternity can be difficult, particularly for women with limited resources and knowledge of
testing procedures. This disconnect in the legal framework may help to explain the growing
trend of economic violence, as men are gradually absolved of the responsibility of providing
for their wives and children.
Help-Seeking Pathways and Barriers for Survivors of GBV in Tanzania March 2013
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