Document
Metadata
Authors
Abdirahman Saeed Mohamed , Espen Bjertness , Aung Soe Htet , Win Thuzar Aye , Ahmed Ali Madar
Title
Attitudes towards wife-beating justification and its association with female genital mutilation – analysis of ever-married Somali women in the 2020 Somali Health and Demographic Survey
Journal
International Health
Year of Publication
2024
Abstract
Background: In Somalia, despite its prohibition, female circumcision persists alongside significant intimate partner violence. This study examines the prevalence of wife-beating justification among Somali women and its link to the perception that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a religious obligation. Methods: We studied 7726 married Somali women 15–49 y of age from the 2020 Somali Health and Demo- graphic Survey. Using χ2 tests and logistic regression, we examined wife-beating justification by covariates and its connection to the perception that FGM/C is a religious obligation. Results: The prevalence of women justifying wife-beating for any of six reasons was 56.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 55.3 to 57.6). A higher prevalence of wife-beating justification was found among women 35–49 y of age (59.9% [95% CI 57.8 to 61.9]), without education (57.7% [95% CI 56.5 to 59.0]), rural residents (57.8% [95% CI 56.3 to 59.2]), with lower socio-economic status (60.4% [95% CI 58.7 to 62.1]) and married before age 18 y (58.4% [95% CI 56.7 to 60.1]). Adjusted for covariates, logistic regression analyses indicated a significant association between wife-beating justification and the belief that FGM/C is mandated by religion (adjusted odds ratio 1.40 [95% CI 1.17 to 1.68], p<0.001). Conclusions: Wife-beating justification is alarmingly common among Somali women and significantly associ- ated with the belief that FGM/C is mandated by religion. Further research is necessary to investigate the drivers behind the acceptance of domestic violence, its impact on women’s mental health and well-being and its asso- ciation with FGM/C acceptance.
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