Trap in the Closet: Intra-Ethnic Marriage and Intimate Partner Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is a threat to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 by 2030. The challenge of intimate partner violence is prevalent among immigrants. However, little is known about the peculiarity of intimate partner violence in intra-ethnic marriages, especially among immigrants within sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the factors contributing to intimate partner violence among Senegalese immigrants who live in Nigeria. It also examined the extent of intimate partner violence in intra-ethnic marriages. Referrals and exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling were utilized to interview 20 participants. Results show that social factors such as gender norms, cultural norms, patriarchy, and economic challenges were the major factors contributing to intimate partner violence among Senegalese immigrants living in Nigeria. Marriage to someone from the same ethnic group does not prevent intimate partner violence as the factors contributing to this social problem are not exclusive to ethnic group affiliation. Informal measures such as ethnic group association and neighborhood assistance are the measures used to resolve household violence among immigrants. Contextually, programs aimed at reducing and stopping intimate partner violence should incorporate the support of informal groups and community leaders who are the custodians of culture in the society.

Keywords

• intimate partner violence
• intra-ethnic marriage
• patriarchy
• social norms
• sub-Saharan Africa