Factors Influencing Intimate Partner Violence against Men in Lusaka, Zambia

Gender Based Violence (GBV) against men is largely invisible, unrecognized and trivialized. As compared to GBV against women, society chooses not to believe that GBV can be initiated by women. A limitless amount of literature on GBV against women shows that it has been an endemic problem that is as a result of various factors. Using data from a qualitative study based on 30 men in Lusaka district, this paper examines and documents the nature, forms and the consequences of female violence against men in Zambia. The common forms of violence found were physical, verbal, sexual and psychological. These were mainly caused by infidelity on the part of men, suspected male impotence, children from other marriages, violence as retaliation and alcohol abuse. In terms of consequences, physical injuries, emotional problems financial difficulties and HIV/AIDS were the negative outcomes of female-induced violence. Therefore, there is need for the government to educate society about the plight of male victims of female violence.