Methodology

Note on the data

Attitudinal questions towards wife-beating are used to assess the acceptance of certain social norms on gender roles. Positive attitudes do not necessarily signify approval by women of wife-beating, but they signify women’s acceptance of such norms. Questions are addressed to all women aged 15–49, regardless of their marital status and experience of violence. The standard indicator refer to the percentage of women 15–49 years of age who think that a husband is justified in hitting or beating his wife in at least one of the following circumstances: (1) she goes out without telling him, (2) she neglects the children, (3) she argues with him, (4) she refuses sex with him, (5) she burns the food. Some countries have adapted the standard questionnaire to their social contexts by including different circumstances, such as if the woman spends too much money, if she disobeys, if she is unfaithful, if she insults him, if she neglects household chores, if she disrespects her in-laws, and if she speaks about the need to protect herself against HIV/AIDS.