Exploring intimate partner violence from the perspective of African men: A meta-synthesis

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex social problem, a major global concern, and an obstacle to social and economic progress in the developing regions of the world, including Africa. Generally, IPV occurs in the private sphere of the family and poses serious risks to women, children, families, and the broader society. This study was prompted by the paucity of data to address the growing problem of IPV in Africa, particularly the narrow focus on women's experiences in the current state of knowledge. The aim of this meta-synthesis was to explore African men's perceptions of IPV in order to gain an in-depth understanding of their involvement in IPV. Our findings indicate that instances of IPV in Africa are primarily linked to masculine hegemony, masculine intersubjectivity, and masculine defenses of non-violent identity. Furthermore, we find that their intimate female partners are seen as both active and passive actors in IPV. Constantly oscillating between love and abuse, the relationship between African men and women is paradoxical. Moreover, authorities make it impossible for both victims/survivors and perpetrators to break the cycle of abuse by continuously sanctifying and or justifying IPV. One step towards reducing IPV between men and women in Africa, our study suggests, is to educate community leaders, policy makers, and service providers about prevention strategies, including how to make gender relations more equitable. There is, however, a need for more studies that could inform culturally effective interventions to tackle IPV, even as we attend to hegemonic masculine forces that tend to reinforce or legitimize IPV in Africa.