Abstract:
Background: In order to reduce women’s exposure to violence and develop culturally appropriate interventions, it
is important to gain an understanding of how men who use violence rationalize it. The present study sought to
explore the perspectives of men who had used violence on their female partners, specifically their views on
intimate partner violence (IPV), gender norms, manhood, their gender attitudes and to understand how these may
drive male perpetrated IPV against women in the Central Region of Ghana.
Methods: This was a qualitative study involving purposively sampled adult men who had participated in a
household-based survey in selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana and who had self-reported
perpetration of IPV in the past 12 months. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 men.
Results: Data revealed how a range of social, cultural, and religious factors ̶stemming from patriarchy ̶combined
to inform the construction of a traditional masculinity. These factors included the notion that decision-making in
the home is a man’s prerogative, there should be rigid and distinct gender roles, men’s perceptions of owning
female partners and having the right to have sex with them whenever they desire, and the notion that wife
beating is legitimate discipline. Findings suggest that it was through performing, or aspiring to achieve, this form of
masculinity that men used varying forms of violence against their female partners. Moreover, data show that the
men’s use of violence was a tactic for controlling women and emphasizing their authority and power over them.Conclusions: Developers of interventions to prevent IPV need to recognize that there is a coherent configuration
of aspirations, social norms and behaviours that is drawn on by some men to justify their use of IPV. Understanding
the perspectives of men who have perpetrated IPV against women and their motivations for perpetration is
essential for interventions to prevent IPV. This is discussed as drawing authority from ‘tradition’ and so engaging
traditional and religious leaders, as well as men and women throughout the community, in activities to challenge
this is likely to be particularly fruitful.
