DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS: THE CASE OF WARD 3, MWENEZI DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

Abstract

The major fulcrum of this study was on examining the impact of the Domestic Violence Act in reducing violence perpetrated against women. More specifically, the study sought to establish factors that constrain the full implementation of the Act. It further explored strategies employed by survivors of violence to alleviate their suffering. The study used qualitative methodology with unstructured interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions as the data gathering techniques. Purposive sampling was selected as it enabled the researcher to use his knowledge of the area of study. The study was grounded in Giddens’ structuration theory which contends that structures and actors constitute each other. The research explored and established that domestic violence was still very high in rural areas despite the enactment of the Domestic Violence Act. Several factors amongst them lack of awareness of the Act, women dependency on their husbands, societal attitudes and beliefs, the dual legal system and weak enforcement mechanism were identified as impeding the effective implementation of the Act. Despite the challenges faced vis-a-vis the implementation of the Act, women devised strategies that included forging networks to provide emotional support, using love potions and resorting to newly emerging Pentecostal churches to ameliorate their suffering. The research concluded that the Act has had a negligible impact as women continue to bear the brunt of domestic violence. Notwithstanding the endeavours to empower women through reducing the various forms of abuse, gender equality remains contentious, elusive and vehemently opposed and resisted by men, the major beneficiaries of the status quo.