Risk Factors of Intimate Partner Violence in a Nationally Representative Sample of Pakistani Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The present study examined multiple risk and protective factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Pakistan including the demographic factors and women empowerment variables such as land/house ownership, decision-making power, and opinion on wife beating. Method: We analyzed a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of 3,303 ever-married women (15–49 years old), from the most recent Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey of 2017–2018. Results: Those who were older at first marriage were less likely to report lifetime IPV with a difference in risk between 13.8% and 18.3% points among older age groups versus 10- to 14-year-olds. Nearly the same effect on violence risk reduction was observed for having a say in choosing a husband, higher education of husband and wife, and being among the richest 20%. Internet use, decision making on visits to one’s own family or relatives, own health care, and major household purchases were significant protective factors against IPV. Those who believed that wife beating was justifiable if the wife went out without telling the husband, neglected children, argued with the husband, and refused sex with the husband were at greater risk of IPV. Conclusions: Among the empowerment indicators, the wife’s involvement in decision making, not accepting wife beating, and internet use were the most significant protective factors against IPV in Pakistan. The study also reports on the significant sociodemographic characteristics that protect against IPV in Pakistani women with implications for future research and policymaking.