1 1 Include Domestic Violence in Core Statistical Publications Geir Øvensen and Dag Roll-Hansen Division for Development Cooperation Statistics Norway October 2008

2 Statistics to fight domestic violence Domestic violence obstructs development Recent political initiatives Less sensitive than before How should the statistical community respond? “Mainstreaming”: Include Domestic Violence in Core Statistical Publications

3 World wide challenge

4 Southern Africa: Politicians are moving New SADC Gender Protocol signed in August 2008 –25 articles on different gender aspects, ranging from access to justice and education –Call for governments to prohibit all forms of gender-based violence, including marital rape Seven year action plan: –23 specific targets –Time frames for achieving gender equality in all SADC countries –Call for effective monitoring and evaluation

5 Country Level Political inititatives Malawi: Strategic Plan for Ministry of Gender 2003–08: Increase awareness among women, men, girls, and boys on gender-based violence and discrimination and its effects Performance Indicators Increased number of gender based violence cases being reported to authorities Reduced cases of gender-based violence Changes in people’s attitudes towards gender-based violence

6 Some key findings from Malawi: Low correlation with education Almost 30% of adult women has ever experienced physical domestic violence, and half of them during last 12 months Higher education of woman only slightly lowers risk of violence Somewhat reduced, but still high prevalence among educated men

7 Some key findings from Malawi: Not primarily a (micro level) poverty problem Share of women >15 years who experienced physical violence in or outside home, not strongly related to household wealth quintile More than 60% of cases current husband; 75% current and/ or former husband Under-reporting may be more prevalent in the highest quintile?

8 Some key findings from Malawi: Alcohol associated with increased violence A heavy-drinking husband: –More frequently beats his wife –and more frequently gets beaten himself

9 Some key findings from Malawi: Husbands’ violent behaviour develop over time Sub-group of women married 10+ years Share of these women whose husbands’ committed violence –After 10 years of marriage, one in four had experienced violence from husband –Highest risk after some years, but still risk for onset of domestic violence after that

10 Why mainstreaming? Avoid marginalization  Should be presented with other important social statistics  Get domestic violence discussions out in the open Explaining the phenomenon  No strong relation to household wealth or education of husband or wife  Attitudes and awareness seems important Laws and reporting is not effective – statistics is needed

11 In short Domestic violence obstructs development Data on domestic violence is requested by users, in particular in developing countries Domestic violence should be a part of official statistics Statistics can be used to fight domestic violence