The paper study husband’s role during pregnancy and examines whether pregnancy is a cause of increased gender based violence (GBV). The paper is based on in-depth interviews of 123 women with at lease one completed pregnancy. To understand husband’s role during various stages of pregnancy and GBV if any, 30 women each were selected from four different groups depending on their pregnancy status – (a) currently non-pregnant (b) early pregnancy (> 6 months) (c) late pregnancy (7-8 months) and postpartum period. While the study showed a high prevalence (50%) of physical and mental harassment by their husbands, it did not support the hypothesis that during pregnancy such violence increases. In fact the results show a reversing of the trend in GBV during pregnancy. Contrary to the general believe, during pregnancy husbands were taking care of their wives. During pregnancy they tried to reduce their household work either by sharing work responsibilities (such as water fetching), being less demanding of their time or advising family members to help her in carrying out household responsibilities. They provided requisite funds for medical check up and in some cases accompanied their wives to clinics for check up. The paper discusses the possible reasons for these encouraging but contrary findings from the general believe. It includes methodological issues in data collection in violence studies, which often lack scientific rigor, possibility of difference in behaviour of tribal population and their relatively more egalitarian social structure. The study demonstrates need of better-designed GBV studies in diverse settings.
Learning Objectives: To examine increased gender based violence during pregnancy .
Keywords: Violence, Gender
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.