The Role of Empowerment in Addressing Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a significant global human rights issue, deeply entrenched in socio-economic inequalities and patriarchal norms. While extensive research has explored the causes and consequences of IPV, less is known about the relationship between empowerment and IPV, despite empowerment being proposed as a key strategy for reducing its prevalence. Given empowerment’s broadness, complexity, and multidimensional nature, this chapter employs a multi-theoretical approach to examine its role in mitigating IPV. Grounded in Longwe’s Empowerment Framework, the capabilities approach, and feminist perspectives, it investigates how economic, social, and political empowerment initiatives intersect to influence IPV prevalence. Drawing on case studies from Zimbabwe and a narrative inquiry with key informants in women’s empowerment, the chapter illustrates how empowerment interventions enhance agency, challenge traditional gender norms, and reduce economic dependence. Additionally, it explores unintended consequences, such as resistance from entrenched patriarchal structures. The findings emphasise the necessity of integrated, culturally sensitive approaches to sustainably address IPV. Future research could expand this analysis to other contexts to evaluate the adaptability and effectiveness of empowerment strategies across diverse socio-cultural settings.