Work as protection: A secondary analysis of work status and intimate partner violence in Malawi

Objectives: The problem of intimate partner violence (IPV) is widespread across socio-economic levels in Malawi. Employment may increase women's autonomy and decision making capacity within the home subsequently lowering IPV risk. We explored whether working outside the home decreased the likelihood of experiencing IPV among Malawian women. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2004 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative sample of 11,698 women aged 15-49. Logistic regression was performed to assess the predictive value of work status on experience of physical IPV. Education and attitudes towards IPV were assessed as covariates. Results: The majority (60%) of women experiencing physical IPV worked outside the home. Women who worked away from home were 1.62 times as likely to report physical IPV as those who did not work (p<0.001). Further, the association between female work status and IPV risk remained virtually unchanged after adjusting for education and attitudes towards IPV. Conclusions: We found that women who worked outside the home were at greater risk of physical IPV. Future studies, should examine if this association persists as government programs to increase women's social status are currently underway within Malawi. Future intervention studies and policy actions must assess both the positive and negative impacts on women and develop ancillary strategies to reduce the negative impacts of a desirable policy.