Empowerment For Women

Empowerment for Women is the Key to Preventing Domestic Violence

Unlike many health related issues, there are few social and demographic characteristics that can identify risk groups for domestic violence against women. Violence is used strategically and is often a result of issues that include financial instability, substance abuse, jealousy, and women's gender role transgressions. Women who are empowered educationally, economically, and socially are the most protected, but below this high level, the relationship between empowerment and risk of domestic violence is nonlinear. Violence is frequently used to resolve a crisis of male identity, at times caused by poverty or an inability to control women. The risk of violence is greatest in societies where such behavior is an accepted norm, thus primary preventative interventions should focus on improving the status of women and reducing social acceptance of violent behavior.

By: R. Jewkes