Gender equity and intimate partner violence among adolescents and young adults in Tanzania.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) starts at a young age. In Tanzania, 32% of adolescent girls and young women report lifetime experience of physical or sexual IPV. Adolescence is a critical developmental period when young people are establishing beliefs around gender equity and violence and when programmes and interventions may be most influential. This study explored adolescent and young adult perspectives on gender equity and gender roles, and their links to IPV to inform the adaptation and implementation of an evidence-based gender empowerment curriculum for young people in Tanzania. We conducted 24 focus group discussions among young people ages 14-24, adult community members, and community and religious leaders. Five major themes were developed: social acceptance of traditional gender roles and male dominated families; generational divide on support for gender equity; a religious lens on gender equity and the tolerance of violence; the normalisation of violence; and recommendations to promote gender equity. Our findings suggest young people, particularly girls and young women, support gender equity concepts. However, pervasive social norms about traditional gender roles, perpetuated by adults and community leaders, inhibit gender equity. Recommen-dations included involving peers, family, and wider community in gender empowerment education; and engaging religious leaders.