The death of Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who was doused in kerosene and set on fire by her former partner in September, was a shocking reminder of an all-too-common problem. Nearly one third of women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as physical or sexual violence from a partner, according to the World Health Organization. In Kenya, where Cheptegei was killed, it’s estimated that four in 10 women have been victims of such violence.
“We see physical injuries that are quite serious and mental consequences such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress,” says Eve Puffer, Ph.D., the director of the Duke Center for Global Mental Health, who has researched IPV interventions in Kenya. “IPV has been high for many years and is ingrained in the way a lot of families function.”
IPV can be rooted in centuries-old power structures that place men in positions of authority. When men are conditioned to think they have a right to unquestioned power, they may react violently when questioned or challenged, Puffer says. In places such as Kenya, where there remains a strong emphasis on masculinity, dismantling such male-dominant dynamics is a slow process.
“The other piece we don’t think about as much is the mental health of men and boys,” says Puffer, an associate professor of psychology, neuroscience and global health. She says the well-being of men and boys remains not only understudied but undertreated. “There’s a lot of stress, depression and substance use and without the appropriate coping mechanisms, it leads to violence as the alternative [response] people choose.”
In this Quick Take video, Puffer describes three strategies for preventing IPV, which focus on teaching healthy communication skills and strengthening family dynamics. She says these interventions seek to create culturally appropriate methods that help men unlearn harmful behaviors, while also teaching adolescents positive skills that they can carry into dating and relationships later in life.
“I think we can reduce it, and if we focus our attention on the prevention piece, we do have hope of seeing large reductions,” she says. “I’m optimistic that we can shift the norms towards healthy and functional relationships.”
