Prevalence and Consequences of Gender-Based Violence on Families in Africa

Abstract This chapter reviews and synthesizes studies on the prevalence and health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV) for families in Africa. Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world; it affects mainly women and impacts families in many ways. The focus is on two forms of violence perpetrated by an intimate partner: physical and sexual. But these two forms of violence do not happen in isolation. Emotional and psychological abuse often accompanies physical or sexual violence by intimate partners. The chapter provides a snapshot of the nature and scope of IPV and its impact on families in Africa. Data from relevant studies and the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) are synthesized, and estimates of the prevalence and consequences of IPV are reported. Results show high rates of IPV among ever-married/partnered women between the ages of 15 to–49 years and health consequences.