Exploring West African immigrant women’s experience and perception about domestic violence and related supports in Alberta, Canada
Abstract
Domestic or intimate partner violence among African immigrant populations in Western communities, particularly Canada, remains an overlooked public health issue. African immigrant women face compounded challenges, including social isolation, language barriers, unemployment, financial dependence, and legal obstacles, increasing their vulnerability to abuse. With the rise in scholarship exploring the incidence and prevalence of domestic violence, the specific experiences of African immigrant women remain underexplored. This qualitative study
investigates West African immigrant women’s perceptions and experiences of domestic violence in
Alberta, Canada, focusing on definitions, coping strategies, and the influence of patriarchy, culture, and immigration on their responses to violence. Using a radical feminist, intersectional and Gender Relations Theory in the African Context, the study examines the ways in which power and resources are distributed between men and women in society, while also acknowledging how the power imbalances compounded by culture, patriarchal ideologies, structure, racial, and immigration factors, shape these women’s vulnerability to partner violence.
Notes
Key findings:
1) Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with six participants reveals that West African women define domestic violence as extreme, life-threatening incidents, with most non-physical violence under-recognized.
2) Culturally influenced coping strategies and informal support services commonly preferred over formal, Canadian domestic violence supports.
Key recommendations:
1) Develop and implement culturally responsive domestic violence supports and services that address the unique needs and contexts of African women.
2) Advocate for practitioners and policy makers to better support African women facing domestic violence in a culturally relevant way.
Location: Alberta, not otherwise specified
Community organizations: n/a
Future research / gaps identified:
1) This thesis focused on heterosexual relationships, thus the experiences of LGBTQ+ West African couples needs to be further addressed.
2) West African men’s experiences of domestic violence was also not looked at here and is another avenue of future inquiry.
Integration timeline: not defined
Key populations: West African women in Alberta who are domestic violence survivors
Open access: Yes