Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT:
This is an exploratory study on the perceptions and experiences of African women in violent
partner relationships.
The study was conducted in two phases at Ilitha Community Psychological Centre at Ezibeleni
Township near Queenstown. Since this is a qualitative exploratory study, in-depth interviews
were conducted with a sample of twenty women. In addition a focus group interview was also
conducted with five women from the same site in order to gain a better insight into the
phenomenon of violence in partner relationships.
A literature review that focused on the existing literature concerning African women in violent
partner relationships was conducted. African women’s perspectives on the experiences of abuse
were explored, a gender perspective based on radical feminist views was discussed and ethnicsensitive
empowerment needs and the role of the social service practitioners were investigated.
The findings suggest that many African women experience violence in partner relationships.
They sustain physical, emotional and economic abuse. A patriarchal system, alcohol abuse,
infidelity and failure to support the children financially have been cited as some of the reasons for
abuse. Formal and informal social networks assisted these women to some extent.
However, there is need for an ethnic-sensitive interdisciplinary training approach and a legal
system that is accessible to rural women to prevent further battery.
Various recommendations have been postulated. The study indicated a need for ethnic-sensitive
empowerment programmes for the abused women, rehabilitative programmes for these women
and for the abusers, and an effective legal system to curb violence in partner relationships. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:
Hierdie studie, wat verkennend van aard is, handel oor die persepsies en ervaringe van Afrikavroue
wat binne gewelddadige saamwoonverhoudings verkeer.
Die studie is in twee fases by die Ilitha Community Psychological Centre en die Ezibeleniwoonbuurt
naby Queenstown onderneem. Aangesien dit ’n kwalitatief-verkennende studie is, is
diepgaande onderhoude met ’n eksperimentele groep van twintig vroue gevoer. Hierbenewens is
fokusgroeponderhoude ook met vyf vroue van dieselfde buurt gevoer ten einde beter insig te
verkry van die fenomeen van geweld binne saamwoonverhoudings.
’n Studie van relevante literatuur wat op bestaande literatuur ten opsigte van Afrika-vroue in
gewelddadige saamwoonverhoudings betrekking het, is onderneem. Die perspektiewe van
Afrika-vroue oor die wyse waarop hulle mishandeling ervaar, is verken. ’n Geslagsgebaseerde
perspektief gebaseer op feministiese beskouinge is onderling bespreek en die behoefte aan etniessensitiewe
bemagtigingsbehoeftes asook die rol van sosiale diensleweringspraktisyns het aandag
geniet.
Die bevindinge dui daarop dat ‘n groot aantal Afrika-vroue geweld binne saamwoonverhoudings
ervaar. Hulle ondervind fisieke, emosionele en ekonomiese mishandeling. ’n Patriargale stelsel,
alkoholmisbruik, ontrouheid, en gebrek aan geldelike versorging van die kinders binne die gesin,
is genoem as sommige van die redes vir die mishandeling. Formele en informele netwerke het
hierdie vroue in ’n sekere mate bygestaan. Daar bestaan egter ’n behoefte aan ’n etnies-sensitiewe
interdissiplinêre opleidingsbenadering asook ’n regstelsel wat toeganklik is vir landelike vroue
om verdere mishandeling te voorkom.
Verskeie aanbevelings is gepostuleer. Die studie het aangetoon dat daar ’n behoefte bestaan aan
etnies-sensitiewe bemagtigingsprogramme vir mishandelde vroue, rehabilitasieprogramme vir
sodanige vroue asook vir diegene wat hulle mishandel, en ’n effektiewe regstelsel om geweld
binne saamwoonverhoudings aan bande te lê.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1491 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Mesatywa, Nontando Jennifer |
| Contributors | Green, Sulina, University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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