Intimate Partner Violence and its Impact on Women Health: A Study of Violence against Women Centre, Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

The most common form of violence faced by women is Intimate Partner Violence. The world Health Organization (WHO) defines IPV as any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological or sexual harm to those in the relationship, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors. Intimate Partner Violence is a serious issue and a global problem nowadays. Intimate Partner Violence is most common and it is reported that one out of three women globally, at the same time, faces violence in her life. As we know the Pakistani society in which we live is a patriarchal society where girls are always taught to obey their men. The objectives of the present study are to identify main causes of intimate partner violence and its impact on women health and to give some recommendations as how to overcome intimate partner violence in society. The present study is conducted at Violence against Women Centre, Multan, Pakistan. The population of the study comprised of 100 married women who were reported in Violence against Women Centre, Multan, Pakistan during 2018. Interview schedule was used as a tool for data collection. Collected data were analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The main causes of violence which occur within the intimate relationship are due to low literacy rate, poor economical condition, lack of support from authorities like social welfare, and health care services. The rigid social and cultural pattern also increases the risk of Intimate Partner Violence because women are not allowed to raise their voice against their men. Intimate Partner Violence has also a bad effect on the mental and physical health of women. The adverse effect of Intimate Partner violence includes anxiety, depression, and suicide attempt. Strict laws should be implemented by the state to eliminate Intimate Partner Violence.