Socio-Cultural Dynamics Influencing Domestic Violence in Nyeri County, Kenya

Lilian Wanjiku  Machariah; Chrispinous  Iteyo

doi:10.51867/ajernet.4.2.21

Authors

Lilian Wanjiku Machariah
cikulilian@gmail.com
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3423-1395
Chrispinous Iteyo Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

Keywords:

Domestic, Dynamics, Family, Socio-Cultural, Violence

Abstract

For many years, domestic violence has been stereotyped as violence against women and girls, with men as perpetrators. However, in recent times, men have also become victims. Domestic violence is a violation of human rights and should not be condoned. Nyeri County has experienced tremendous development and, therefore, changes in terms of education, occupation, and economic activities, making it one of the richest counties in Kenya. With these changes in society, there is a high level of education, strong cultural adjustments, and economic endowment, and the expectation is that there should be harmony in the homes. On the contrary, as researchers and the media have documented, there is a lot of domestic violence. Therefore, this study is intended to answer the question "why" by interrogating the influence of socio-cultural dynamics on this domestic violence. This paper presents a discussion of the results of the objective, which was to investigate the nexus between socio-cultural dynamics and domestic violence in Nyeri County. The study used descriptive and evaluative research designs. The following respondents were sampled to participate in the study: 384 household heads, 12 assistant chiefs, 15 police officers, 30 religious leaders, 12 NGOs/CBOs, 3 sub-county administrators, and 20 village elders. The primary methods of data collection were interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic narrations, and findings were presented using narrations and descriptions. The study show that the main socio-cultural factors that influence domestic violence are chauvinism, gender role exchange, alcoholism, and the MAU impact. The study recommends that there should be sensitization in the study area to help people utilize the positive changes in society, such as high education levels, to make a harmonious society instead of using it to fight among spouses.

Dimensions

REFERENCES

Ademiluka, S. O. (2018). Patriarchy and women abuse: Perspectives from ancient Israel and Africa. Old Testament Essays, 31(2), 339-362. https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2018/v31n2a5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2018/v31n2a5

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Bitrus-Ojiambo, U. A., & King'ori, M. E. (2016). Newspaper framing of gender-based (domestic) violence of women-on-men from Nyeri County, Kenya. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 1(1), 4-25.

Chelimo, S. (2018). Gender Disparities in Land Inheritance among the Samor Community in Baringo County, Kenya. http://www.kaeam.or.ke/articles/v10/Paper4.pdf Accessed on 19th July, 2021

Connell, R. (2013). Gender and power: Society, the person, and sexual politics. John Wiley & Sons.

Ezebuilo, H. C. (2019). Human Rights, Gender Equality, and the Question of Justice: A Re-examination of Male Chauvinism in African Culture. International Journal of Advanced Engineering Management and Science, 5(4), 532-541. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijaems.58.10 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22161/ijaems.58.10

Gachihi, M. (1986). The role of Kikuyu women in the Mau Mau (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Gateri, A. M., Ondicho, T. G., & Karimi, E. (2021). Correlates of Domestic Violence against Men: Qualitative insights from Kenya. African Journal of Gender, Society and Development (formerly Journal of Gender, Information and Development in Africa), 10(3), 87-111. https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2021/v10n3a5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2021/v10n3a5

Gitau, T., Kusters, L., Kok, M., & van der Kwaak, A. (2016). A baseline study on child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and female genital mutilation/cutting in Kenya. Amsterdam: Royal Tropical Institute.

Githaiga, M. (2020). Influence of gender based violence intervention programs on households' wellbeing; a case of Majengo Slum, Nyeri Municipality, Nyeri County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Harari, M. (2019). Women's inheritance rights and bargaining power: Evidence from Kenya. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 68(1), 189-238. https://doi.org/10.1086/700630 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/700630

Herald, K. E. (2020). Suffering In Silence: The Untold Story of Domestic Violence against Men. Scooper. https://m.scooper.news/2020/07/11/suffering-in-silence- the-untold-story-of-domestic-violence-against-men/10862923 Accessed on 4th January, 2021

Holden, E., Linnerud, K., & Banister, D. (2014). Sustainable development: Our common future revisited. Global environmental change, 26, 130-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2014.04.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2014.04.006

Kaithuru, P. N. (2020). Demographic differences in management of substance use disorders among recovering addicts in selected rehabilitation centers in Mombasa County in Kenya. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 8(3), 173-183. DIP:18.01.023/20200803, DOI:10.25215/0803.023

Khan, M., & Mazhar, S. (2017). Socio-cultural impediments & women empowerment. International journal for innovative research in the multidisciplinary field, 3(7), 413-416.

King'ori, M. E., & Bitrus-Ojiambo, U. A. (2017). Newspaper framing of gender-based (domestic) violence of women-on-men from Nyeri County, Kenya. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 1(1).

Lewis, J.J. (2021). The Core Ideas and Beliefs of feminism. Thought Co. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-feminism-3528958.

Manda-Taylor, L., Mwale, D., Phiri, T., Walsh, A., Matthews, A., Brugha, R., Mwapasa, V., & Byrne, E. (2017). Changing times? Gender roles and relationships in maternal, newborn and child health in Malawi. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 17(1), 321. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-017-1523-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-017-1523-1

Mbote K. (2000), Violence against Women in Kenya: An Analysis of Law, Policy and Institutions. University of Nairobi: International Environmental Law Research Centre.

Mshweshwe L. (2020). Understanding domestic violence: masculinity, culture, traditions. Heliyon, 6(10), e05334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05334 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05334

Mucheru, E. (2014). Social Factors Influencing the Boy Child Perception on Gender- Bade Violence in Day Secondary Schools in Kiambu District, Kiambu County, Kenya (Master of Education in Education Emergencies, University of Nairobi).

Mugenda, O.M., & Mugenda, A.G. (2003) Research Methods, Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Nairobi: ACT.

Muhindi, D. M. (2012). Challenges facing the implementation of free day secondary education: A case study of Nyeri South District, Nyeri County in Kenya (Master's Thesis, Kenyatta University, Nairobi).

Mutahi, N. (2017). A Study of Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence Against Male Partners in Kenya: a Case Study of Rural Nyeri County, Central Kenya Region (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Muthee, J. M., Barasa, F. O., & Adeli, S. (2019). Relationship challenges facing re-integration of women ex-offenders in nyeri county, Kenya. International Journal of Social and Development Concerns, 10(7), 77-91

Mutuku, R. M. (2007). Domestic violence: a case study of Korogocho slum in Nairobi (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Njoroge, R. M. (2016). Evaluation of Television News Framing of Domestic Violence against Men in Nyeri County (Master's Thesis, University of Nairobi).

Presley, C. A. (1988). The Mau rebellion, Kikuyu women, and social change. Canadian Journal of African Studies/Revue Canadienne des Études Africaines, 22(3), 502-527. https://doi.org/10.1080/00083968.1988.10804224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00083968.1988.10804224

Presley, C. A. (2019). Kikuyu women, the Mau rebellion, and social change in Kenya. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429043697 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429043697

Rollero, C., Bergagna, E., & Tartaglia, S. (2021). What is violence? The role of sexism and social dominance orientation in recognizing violence against women. Journal of interpersonal violence, 36(21-22), NP11349-NP11366. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519888525 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519888525

Shell, D., & Henlund, H. (2000). Female Circumcision in Africa. In Abandoning Female Genital Cutting. Washington: Pirskn Publishers.

Silali, G. (2019). Factors influencing the spread of Domestic Violence among heterosexual marriages in Western Kenya (Thesis, Maseno University).

Sims, M., Hutchins, T., & Taylor, M. (1997). Conflict as social interaction: Building relationship skills in child care settings. Child Youth Care Forum 26, 247-260. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02589418 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02589418

Wanjiru, E., & Kaburi, C. (2015). The social construction of gender in Gikuyu community as portrayed in narratives, songs, and proverbs. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 4(6), 120-130.