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.
