Key Social Norms Take-aways Violence against women and girls (VAWG) in southern Ethiopia is strongly shaped by social norms that normalize or tolerate certain forms of violence—especially intimate partner violence (IPV)—and place blame on survivors. Community expectations often encourage women to tolerate abuse and discourage reporting due to stigma, fear of gossip, and pressure to preserve family honor. These norms limit help-seeking and allow perpetrators to avoid meaningful sanctions. Shifting community attitudes toward gender equality and strengthening accountability were identified as critical to preventing violence and improving survivor support.
Objectives The study explored community perceptions of VAWG, responses to violence, barriers to accessing support services, and the needs of survivors and communities in Arbaminch City, southern Ethiopia, in order to inform improvements in prevention and response programs.
Methods This phenomenological exploratory qualitative study collected data in August 2022 from 62 participants including violence survivors, women and men in the community, religious leaders, and service providers. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, informal conversations, and observations. Participants were purposively selected, and findings were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis and interpreted through the Social-Ecological Model.
Results Perceptions of VAWG varied by gender, age, and social role. Many men minimized or normalized IPV within marriage, while women largely rejected all forms of violence. Social norms often framed violence as acceptable under certain conditions, such as disputes within marriage or when survivors were perceived to have behaved “improperly.” Community responses frequently involved non-interference, gossip, or informal mediation rather than legal action, and survivors sometimes faced pressure to marry perpetrators or remain silent. Although services such as healthcare, legal assistance, shelters, and police support existed, survivors faced significant barriers to accessing them, including stigma, lack of information, fear of retaliation, financial dependence, and weak legal enforcement.
Conclusions VAWG in this context is reinforced by gender inequality, social acceptance of certain forms of violence, and limited institutional accountability. Effective prevention requires addressing harmful gender norms, strengthening community awareness and support systems, and improving legal enforcement and coordinated services to ensure safer environments for women and girls.