Risk Factors of Physical and Sexual Abuse for Women in Mali: Findings From a Nationally Representative Sample

Abstract

Mali is a developing country that has marked inequalities between genders. Using the 2012-2013 Mali Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative sample of Malian women ( N = 2,527), the study examined the effect of controlling behaviors, childhood exposure to and experience of violence, husband’s alcohol use, woman’s use of violence, and sociocultural factors on the likelihood of experiencing physical and sexual abuse. Findings indicated that controlling behavior, childhood exposure to violence, and husband’s use of alcohol were predictors of physical and sexual abuse. Respondent’s use of violence increased risk of physical abuse. Implications for programming in Mali are discussed.