The Relationship Between Poverty and Violence Against Women: Causality Contrary to Expectations

Abstract

In this research, a field study and analysis are carried out to test the argument that violence against women can lead to women’s poverty. The theoretical background and applied methodology are referred to as a “multidimensional poverty approach.” The field study was carried out in districts representing the urban part of Antalya province in Türkiye. Findings suggest that key reasons pushing women into poverty stem from the “empowerment and security” dimension. The rate of women experiencing deprivation in the indicators of regional danger and violence; being treated fairly; ethnic, religious, and cultural differences preventing access to public services; excessive criticism; and exposure to violence is quite high.

Keywords:

• Empowerment
• security
• subjective welfare
• violence
• women

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to mention our gratitudes to TÜBİTAK for their kind support all through the research.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

The authors deny the existence of any conflict of interest.

DATA

The data used in the empirical analyses were obtained through questionnaires employed in a field study carried out in Antalya, Türkiye.

Notes

1 The state of deprivation manifests as an incapacity to obtain or accomplish any phenomenon or, more precisely, as a deficiency in developing a skill (Sen, 1976).

2 To carry the field survey, ethical approval report has been obtained from the Rectorate of Akdeniz University, Social Sciences and Humanities Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Board (Document Date and Number: 22/03/2019-E.39775). This approval report can be provided upon request.

3 Therefore, in districts, further stratification was not used to determine sample sizes. This was mainly due to the big difference among district populations, which would result in, for example, a sample size of 150 for one district but only 30 for another. The comparison and interpretation of the findings from these sample sizes would be difficult.

4 Savings covers cash at home or in the bank in all currencies, precious paper, funds, and so on and gold jewellery. Debt covers “personal or household” and includes consumer loans and credit card and/or in-kind/cash debt in any currency.

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by the The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) under Grant number 119K804.