Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious social issue that affects many women and creates significant challenges in their married lives. Several factors contribute to IPV, including substance abuse, poverty, economic stress, gender inequality, patriarchal cultural norms, changing gender roles, a history of violence, aggressive behavior, and personality disorders. Among these factors, economic dependency plays a significant role in limiting women’s ability to resist or escape abusive relationships. This study focuses on the economic factors—such as lack of job opportunities, unemployment, and financial instability—that contribute to women’s economic dependency in Turbat, Balochistan. The research adopts a qualitative approach, using a descriptive research design to explore women’s lived experiences of intimate partner violence. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using open-ended questions with married women aged 18 years and above. The findings reveal that many women in Turbat experience IPV due to a patriarchal social structure that reinforces women’s dependency on their husbands. Economic dependency, combined with limited social support systems, prevents many women from speaking out against abusive behavior. The study highlights that many Baloch women remain in abusive relationships because financial insecurity restricts their ability to leave. The findings emphasize the need for initiatives that promote women’s economic independence, raise awareness through digital platforms, and provide confidential reporting mechanisms for victims of IPV. Additionally, there is a need for programs that challenge harmful gender norms and promote equal power dynamics in relationships.
Previous Article in event
Next Article in event
Exploring the Causes of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Against Women in District Kech: A Qualitative Study to Know Their Lived Experiences
Published:
25 May 2026
by MDPI
in The 1st International Online Conference on Social Sciences
session Gender Studies
Abstract:
Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence; Married Women; Economic Dependency; Patriarchal Control.
