Can consanguineous marriages explain intimate partner violence in Pakistan?

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) presents a substantial public health challenge, particularly in developing nations such as Pakistan. Within the patriarchal framework of Pakistani society, power dynamics are predominantly skewed in favor of husbands. This imbalance is influenced by both consanguineous (within-family) and non-consanguineous (outside-family) marital arrangements. Utilizing data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of Pakistan for the years 2012–13 and 2017–18, this study investigates the prevalence of IPV in consanguineous versus non-consanguineous marriages. Additionally, it examines the potential mitigating effects of a woman's education, her autonomy in decision-making, and her involvement in choosing a spouse. Our regression analysis indicates that women in non-consanguineous marriages experience less severe physical violence and are less likely to sustain injuries from such violence. Further, our moderator analysis reveals that a woman's education, her ability to make decisions, and her participation in spouse selection can decrease the likelihood of IPV in non-consanguineous marriages. Interestingly, our findings suggest that women in consanguineous marriages encounter less IPV. The study also explores the impact of media access on IPV, finding no significant correlation. Despite the low prevalence of alcohol consumption among husbands (4 %), our data indicate a higher incidence of IPV among women whose husbands consume alcohol.