Title: Domestic Violence Against Men in Tanzania: A Case of Husbands Being Battered by Their Wives

Author: Elia Shabani Mligo

 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Teofilo Kisanji University, P.O. Box 1104, Mbeya, United Republic of Tanzania.
Correspondence: eshamm2015@gmail.com

Abstract

Domestic violence, the violence of intimate partners in households, is one of the most precarious forms of violence in the world. While most studies have concentrated on violence against women and children, this study grapples with violence against men in the midst of patriarchal hegemonic cultural contexts. By the use of Scott’s theory of Hidden Transcripts and Arts of Resistance and focused group discussion as a method, the article argues that battering of husbands by their wives is women’s art of resistance to hegemonic patriarchal cultural worldviews attempting to regain power over their husbands. Results from focus group discussions indicate that some of the causes of wives buttering their husbands in households include: women being economically more powerful than their husbands, secrets surrounding the relationship of husbands and their wives in the households, differences in educational levels between couples, defense for ordained ministry for ordained ministers and extra-marital engagements of husbands. The article suggests that the church should recognize the existence of males being buttered by their beloved wives and deal with them accordingly. Buttered husbands should be encouraged to come forward for legal steps to be taken against offenders; and education should be provided to society regarding the effects of men buttering and domestic violence in general.

Keywords: Domestic violence; Husband buttering; Hidden transcripts; Arts of resistance; Focus group discussions