How social norms contribute to physical violence among ever-partnered women in Uganda: A qualitative study.
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways This study finds that deeply embedded social norms in Uganda contribute significantly to the persistence of physical intimate partner violence (IPV). Norms define IPV as a private, domestic matter, normalize its presence in women’s lives, and create informal boundaries that permit certain types of violence under specific conditions. These norms restrict survivors’ access to justice and support services by prescribing silence and tolerance. Effective norm-shifting interventions must deconstruct the privacy surrounding IPV, denormalize violence in intimate relationships, and dismantle cultural expectations that legitimize men’s control over women.
Objectives To explore how social norms contribute to physical violence against ever-partnered women in Uganda and identify the normative mechanisms that sustain such abuse.
Methods The study employed a qualitative research design, using 18 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 43 in-depth interviews (IDIs) across seven districts in Uganda. Participants included ever-partnered adults and youth (aged 18–55), survivors of IPV, community leaders, and NGO staff. A vignette method was used in FGDs to elicit attitudes and norms regarding IPV. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify and interpret descriptive and injunctive norms.
Results Descriptive norms included beliefs that husbands may beat their wives under certain conditions (e.g., failure to perform gendered roles), that such violence is a private family matter, and that bride price justifies male ownership and control of women. Injunctive norms reinforced expectations that women should tolerate violence, behave submissively, and avoid reporting abuse to outsiders, especially the police. Reporting IPV was seen as bringing shame or misfortune to the family. While some participants expressed disagreement with IPV, many upheld norms that justify it under culturally sanctioned conditions.
Conclusions Social norms in Uganda contribute directly and indirectly to sustaining IPV against women by shaping behaviors, silencing victims, and limiting institutional responses. To effectively reduce IPV, interventions must target these specific normative frameworks—challenging notions of violence as private, redefining acceptable boundaries of behavior in intimate relationships, and promoting collective accountability and support for survivors.
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