MRC PhD student

Level of study: PhD

Title: Developing an understanding of Intimate Femicide in South Africa

Background

Studies are indicating that when women are murdered, they are more likely to be killed by an intimate partner, with between 40 - 70% of all female homicides perpetrated by an intimate partner.  This phenomenon is referred to as intimate femicide. This form of violence has received very little attention and not much is known about the extent and nature of this problem in South Africa. This project was planned to have two distinct yet complimentary pieces of research which will allow us to develop an understanding of intimate femicide and its public health impact within South Africa.

Project summary:

The first part of the project explored the epidemiology of female homicide in South Africa. This study was designed as a retrospective National Mortuary Based, surveillance study. All cases of female homicide for 1999 were identified from death registers at the sampled mortuaries. South Africa was found to have the highest reported rate of intimate femicide in the world, of 8.8/100 000 women aged 14 years and older. Three papers towards this PhD has been accepted for publication from this part of the project, namely:

• Mathews S, Abrahams N, Jewkes R, Martin LJ, Lombard C & Vetten L. 2008. Intimate Femicide-Suicide in South Africa, Bulletin of WHO. 86(7).pp 552-558.
• Mathews S, Abrahams N, Jewkes R, Martin LJ, Lombard C & Vetten L.: Injury Patterns of Female Homicide in South Africa: Findings from a National Study , Journal of Trauma . in Press.
• Mathews S, Abrahams N, Jewkes R, Martin LJ, Lombard C.: Alcohol use and its role in female homicides in the Western Cape, South Africa. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. In Press.

The second part of the project aimed at exploring the social context in which such killings occur. Using qualitative methods men who had killed an intimate partner were interviewed in prison and follow-up interviews were conducted with family and friends of both the victim and perpetrator. This research explored the social context of such killings with a particular interest in why men come to kill an intimate partner. The aim is to use the study findings to influence programmatic work with men, boys as well as couples who are experiencing relationship problems.

Supervisors: Prof Rachel Jewkes & Dr Naeema Abrahams
MRC Unit: Gender & Health Research Unit
Study Institution: School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand