This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
Intimate partner violence has been a persistent issue in Kenya for a long time, with a 2019 report from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey revealing that many women view it as a justified response to certain situations.
These attitudes persist despite efforts to increase awareness and legislation aimed at eliminating the problem.
Even in educated circles, support for intimate partner violence is common, with violent imagery and demeaning language often used to describe intimate partners.
Research conducted in Eldoret identified several factors associated with intimate partner violence, including differences in gender role expectations, use of passive coping styles, childhood trauma, and partner substance use.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue, with increased close contact between partners at home amplifying frustrations and increasing the risk of intimate partner violence.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry Lukoye Atwoli argues that the COVID-19 response must include strategies to address the risk factors for intimate partner violence, including messaging that clearly condemns violence as a means of solving problems.
He also calls for those in positions of authority to model respectful behavior and for more intense action to address differences in gender role expectations and attitudes.
Additionally, supporting people in relationships to develop active coping strategies and clearer communication skills would help reduce conflicts that lead to intimate partner violence.
Finally, addressing childhood trauma and promoting safe environments for children would go a long way in reducing violence and creating a more peaceful society.
Lukoye Atwoli is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Moi University School of Medicine.
