SUBMITTED Clean The Doing and Undoing of Male Household Decision.pdf (619.57 kB)
The ‘doing’ and ‘undoing’ of male household decision-making and economic authority in Rwanda and its implications for gender transformative programming
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 09:23 authored by Erin Stern, Lori Heise, Lyndsay Mclean HilkerLyndsay Mclean HilkerThis paper explores two key norms that can underpin intimate partner violence (IPV) in Rwanda: men’s role as economic provider and decision-making authority in the household. It describes the political, legal and socio-economic factors affecting these norms and how they create opportunities and barriers to ‘undoing’ restrictive gender norms. The findings are drawn from an evaluation of Inadshyikirwa, an IPV prevention programme operating in Rwanda. Across 3 intervention sectors, 24 focus groups were conducted with unmarried and married men and women residing in intervention communities. 30 interviews with couples and 9 interviews with opinion leaders were conducted before they completed programme trainings designed to shift gender norms underlying IPV. The data indicates a strong awareness of and accountability to Rwandan laws and policies supporting women’s economic empowerment and decision-making, yet also persisting traditional notions of men as household heads and primary breadwinners. Transgression of these norms could be accommodated in some circumstances, especially those involving economic necessity. The data also identified an increasing recognition of the value of a more equitable partnership model. This paper highlights the importance of carefully assessing cracks in the existing gender order that can be exploited to support gender equality and non-violence.
Funding
Impact Evaluation of Indashyikirwa: A community-level programme to prevent gender violence in Rwanda; G2186; DfiD via Social Development Direct Ltd
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Culture, Health and SexualityISSN
1369-1058Publisher
Taylor & FrancisExternal DOI
Issue
9Volume
20Page range
976-991Department affiliated with
- Anthropology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2017-12-15First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-12-01First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2017-12-14Usage metrics
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