Prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence against women in Ghana: A secondary analysis of the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey – Frontiers

Research Report: Intimate Partner Violence in Ghana and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: A Challenge to Global Goals

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a pervasive global issue and a significant human rights violation that directly impedes progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As a preventable burden on health systems and societies, IPV represents a critical barrier to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). This report summarizes a study on the lifetime prevalence and correlates of IPV among women in Ghana, contextualizing the findings within the SDG framework.

2.0 Methodology

A secondary analysis was conducted using de-identified data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The study focused on the lifetime prevalence of emotional, physical, and sexual violence committed by a current or most recent husband or intimate partner against women aged 15-49. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models were employed to identify statistically significant socio-demographic correlates of IPV.

3.0 Key Findings

The research reveals a significant prevalence of IPV in Ghana, with complex factors contributing to its occurrence. These findings highlight specific areas requiring intervention to meet SDG targets.

3.1 Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence

The overall lifetime prevalence of IPV among the respondents was 36.17%, indicating that nearly two out of every five women have experienced some form of violence from a partner.

• Overall IPV (any type): 36.17%
• Emotional Violence: 31.32% (the most common form)
• Physical and/or Sexual Violence: 20.62%
• Physical Violence: 16.85%

3.2 Significant Correlates and Linkages to SDGs

The multivariable analysis identified several factors statistically associated with a woman’s experience of IPV. These correlates are directly linked to specific Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Educational Attainment: The education levels of both the woman and her partner were significantly associated with IPV. This underscores the critical role of SDG 4 (Quality Education) in fostering respectful relationships and challenging norms that perpetuate violence.
2. Partner’s Alcohol Use: A partner’s consumption of alcohol was a strong correlate, linking IPV to public health challenges that must be addressed to achieve SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly targets related to substance abuse.
3. Intergenerational and Social Norms: A woman’s acceptance of IPV and her awareness of her father having beaten her mother were significant factors. These findings point to deeply ingrained social norms that are direct barriers to SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
4. Marital Control: The level of control exerted by a partner was a key predictor of violence. This is a direct manifestation of gender inequality and highlights the urgency of achieving Target 5.2 of the SDGs, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
5. Number of Living Children: This demographic factor was also found to be statistically significant, suggesting complex interactions between family dynamics, economic stress, and violence that intersect with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

4.0 Conclusion and Policy Implications for the SDG Agenda

The high prevalence of IPV in Ghana, affecting approximately 1.8 out of every five women, constitutes a major public health crisis and a significant impediment to sustainable development. Addressing this issue requires a multi-sectoral approach grounded in the principles of the SDGs.

Effective strategies must be implemented to achieve the following:

• Advance Gender Equality (SDG 5): Implement and scale up programs that challenge patriarchal norms, promote women’s empowerment, and engage men and boys in violence prevention.
• Promote Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Integrate IPV response services into the healthcare system and address risk factors such as alcohol abuse through targeted public health campaigns.
• Ensure Access to Justice (SDG 16): Strengthen legal frameworks and institutional responses to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and survivors have access to justice and support services, thereby promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.
• Leverage Education and Economic Empowerment (SDG 4 & SDG 8): Invest in quality education for all and create economic opportunities for women to reduce their vulnerability and enhance their autonomy.

Controlling this preventable suffering is not only a moral and human rights imperative but also a prerequisite for Ghana to achieve its commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Ghana connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its focus on violence against women, health implications, and human rights.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article explicitly states that IPV “inflicts physical and emotional suffering, imposing an avoidable and preventable burden on health systems.” This directly links the issue to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The core subject of the article is Intimate Partner Violence, which is a form of violence against women. The article notes that IPV “concerns half of humanity” and focuses on violence committed against women aged 15-49 by their male partners, which is a central issue for achieving gender equality.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article describes IPV as a “human rights violation.” This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and reduce all forms of violence.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.” The article’s entire focus is on quantifying and understanding the correlates of emotional, physical, and sexual violence against women by their intimate partners, which is a direct concern of this target.
• Target 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The article’s mention of “emotional suffering” caused by IPV directly relates to the promotion of mental health and well-being.
• Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The study of IPV, a prevalent form of violence, directly contributes to the understanding needed to achieve this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides specific data that can be used as indicators to measure progress.

• For Target 5.2 (Indicator 5.2.1): The official indicator is the “Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner.” The article provides precise data for this indicator in Ghana, stating that “Overall, 36.17% women reported having experienced emotional, physical, and/or sexual violence from a current or most recent husband or intimate partner.” It further breaks this down by type: “emotional, affecting 31.32% of respondents, followed by physical IPV at 16.85%.”
• For Target 16.1 (Indicator 16.1.3): The official indicator is the “Proportion of population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence in the previous 12 months.” The article’s finding that “36.17% women reported having experienced” IPV in their lifetime serves as a direct measure of this indicator for a specific demographic (women aged 15-49 in Ghana).
• For Target 3.4: While the article does not provide a direct metric for mental health outcomes, the prevalence of IPV (36.17%) can be used as a proxy indicator for risk factors affecting the mental health and well-being of women, as the article links IPV to “emotional suffering.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: frontiersin.org