“What’s Next?” Exploring the Relationship between Duration of Marriage and Forms of Domestic Violence

Nana Yaa G. Boakye, University of Ghana

One gap identified in Ghana’s national gender and children’s policy framework is a goal focusing on the protection of women. Using the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, this study attempts to explore the relationship between women’s duration of marriage and forms of domestic violence experienced, grouped here into four types (emotional violence, less severe physical violence, severe physical violence and sexual violence). The results of analysis show that all forms of domestic violence reach their peak between five to nine years of marriage, with SEXUAL VIOLENCE being highest at this peak. The results also show emotional violence is highest for women in their first four years of marriage. The study recommends a provision in the national gender and children policy, for a preventive measure that aims at the protection of women. Keywords: marital duration, violence, Ghana, male supremacy