STIGMA, NORMS AND MASCULINITY: SOCIO-CULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF MEN’S GBV REPORTING IN NYAMAGANA WARD, TANZANIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61421/IJSSMER.2025.3505Keywords:
Stigma, Norms, Masculinity, Gender-Based ViolenceAbstract
This study explored the socio-cultural dimensions shaping the reporting of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases among men at the Police Gender Desk in Nyamagana Ward, Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Social Learning Theory guided the study. A cross-sectional study design was adopted. A total of 12 participants were purposively recruited for in-depth interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were used to complement the findings and ensure validity. Data were analysed thematically. The study found that social stigma, societal norms, and men’s involvement in productive activities influence their reluctance to engage with the Police Gender Desk. The study concludes that entrenched socio-cultural beliefs and practices significantly deter men from reporting GBV, underscoring the need for community sensitization, policy interventions, and gender-inclusive support systems to address these barriers
Downloads
References
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Duvvury, N., Callan, A., Carney, P., & Raghavendra, S. (2013). Intimate Partner Violence: Economic Costs and Implications for Growth and Development. World Bank.
Human Rights Watch. (2019). “No Way Out”: Child Marriage and Human Rights Abuses in Tanzania.
Jewkes, R., Flood, M., & Lang, J. (2015). From work with men and boys to changes of social norms and reduction of inequities in gender relations: A conceptual shift in prevention of violence against women and girls. The Lancet, 385(9977), 1580–1589
Kihiyo, P., & Msoka, E. M. (2024). Exploring Key Socio-Cultural Norms That Influence The Prevalence Of Intimate Partners’ Violence In Tanzania. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 8(10), 332.
Kitundu, A. M. (2023). Assessing the services provided by police gender desk in combating violence against women: A case of Tarime District. Open University of Tanzania. Retrieved from https://repository.out.ac.tz/4054/1/Abeid%20Marco%20Kitundu-Dissertation-22-04-2023.
Mbughuni, P. (2016). Gender-based violence in Tanzania: Lessons from community-based approaches. Tanzania Journal of Development Studies, 16(1), 1–15.
McKenzie, S. K., Oliffe, J. L., Black, A., & Collings, S. (2022). Men’s experiences of mental illness stigma across the lifespan: a scoping review. American journal of men's health, 16(1), 15579883221074789.
Wanjoihi, A. N. (2016). The effectiveness of police gender desks in addressing gender-based violence: A case of Nyandarua County, Kenya. Kenyatta University. Retrieved from https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/items/a7adc226-e8ef-4334-9b0a-d87e0e3b1a6a
Athuman, A., & Munishi, E. (2022). Exploration of male partners’ gender-based violence by female partners in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. East African Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 3(6), 174–182. https://doi.org/10.46606/eajess2022v03i06.0190
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Hilda Maleko
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in International Journal of Social Science, Management and Economics Research are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
