Determinants of Domestic Violence Against Women: A Socioeconomic Perspective from Pakistan

Abstract

Violence against women remains one of the most pervasive and serious social challenges worldwide. This study investigates the socioeconomic determinants of intimate partner violence against women in Pakistan. Owing to the binary nature of the dependent variable, a binary logistic regression model was applied. The independent variables included women’s employment status, type of residence, household economic standing, husband’s residence, husband’s educational level, gender of the household head, and gender of children. The analysis revealed that women in economically disadvantaged households were significantly more likely to experience violence (41.7%) compared to those from wealthier households (38.3%). Similarly, women whose husbands lacked formal education reported higher rates of violence (37.8%) than those married to educated men (19.3%). Place of residence also emerged as a key determinant, with women in rural areas facing markedly higher risks of violence (55.1%) compared to their counterparts in urban or more developed settings (44.9%). These findings underscore the multifaceted influence of socioeconomic disparities on women’s vulnerability to violence. The study recommends that governmental and non-governmental organizations launch targeted awareness campaigns to challenge societal acceptance of violence and promote gender equity. Moreover, it highlights the urgency of enacting and rigorously enforcing comprehensive legislation at the grassroots level to ensure women’s protection and prevent intimate partner violence.