Citation

Wood K, Jewkes R. Gend. Dev. 1997; 5(2): 41-46.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Oxfam)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12292614

Abstract

Power relations between men and women in South Africa are commonly manifested as and imposed through sexual violence and assault. An estimated 1.3 million rapes occur annually in the country. A research project conducted in Cape Town with 600 pregnant and nonpregnant teenage women found that 60% had been beaten by a male partner. The pregnant group reported having been beaten more than 10 times during their average of 2 years of sexual activity. Of those who had been beaten, only 22% of pregnant teens and 28% of the nonpregnant control group reported having left a boyfriend in the past because of assault. All but one of the young women interviewed described assault as a regular feature of their sexual relationships. Physical assault was so commonplace that women stated that many of their female peers saw it as an expression of love. If reproductive health interventions are to be effective, practitioners need to be aware of the level of gender inequity and powerlessness women experience in certain social contexts and design interventions which challenge male violence. The implications of study findings for promoting healthy sexuality are discussed.

Language: en