Displacement-related factors influencing marital practices and associated intimate partner violence risk among Somali refugees in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Displacement has led to perceived changes in marital practices among Somali refugees, but underlying gender norms supporting male dominance and women’s obedience persist. While early and forced marriage and polygamy were reported to have declined due to increased education, NGO awareness efforts, and Ethiopian law, many participants still held attitudes that reinforce women’s subordinate status and justify intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly sexual IPV within marriage. The study underscores the need for IPV prevention strategies to address entrenched gender norms and recognize the continuing influence of marital norms on IPV risk.
Objectives To explore how displacement influences marital practices—including child and forced marriage, dowry, and polygamy—and the associated risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) among Somali refugees in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia.
Methods This qualitative study involved 30 in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions with 110 participants, including refugee community members, NGO staff, service providers, community leaders, and host community members. Thematic analysis was conducted using Dedoose software, guided by a codebook developed a priori and informed by literature on marital practices and IPV in displaced settings.
Results Participants described a decline in child and forced marriages, reduced dowry demands, and fewer polygamous unions since displacement. These changes were attributed to increased access to education for girls, legal protections in Ethiopia, and NGO awareness programs. Despite these shifts, IPV—particularly sexual IPV—was reported as common across all marital types. Forced and polygamous marriages, and marriages involving dowry, were linked to higher risk of physical IPV. Strong patriarchal norms remained, including beliefs that women should not refuse sex to their husbands, and that men have decision-making authority in the household.
Conclusions While displacement-related changes such as improved education access and legal enforcement may influence marriage practices, they have not yet translated into significant reductions in IPV. Programs to prevent IPV in humanitarian settings must go beyond structural changes and directly target harmful gender norms. Legal recognition of marital rape and more comprehensive support for married adolescent girls are also necessary. Safe access to education and economic interventions should be designed with awareness of their potential influence on marriage and IPV dynamics.
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