Entela Neziri1, Rudina Çumashi1, Romina Hala1, Ervisa Demollari3,Gentiana Qirjako1,2
1Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania;
2Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
3Health Care Services Operator.
Aim: According to WHO, 1 in 3 women around the world experience physical or sexual violence. This makes it the most widespread, but among the least reported human rights abuses. The aim of this analysis was to compare the results from 2008–2009 and 2017–2018 ADHS in relation to violence against women in Albania.
Methodology:Albanian Demographic Health Survey is a nationally representative survey designed to provide information on population and health issues in Albania. In both last surveys (2007/08 and 2017/18), the measurement of violence against women was assessed through the frequency of violence against women during the last 12 months from their intimate partner (husband/partner).
Results: Respondents were asked whether they accept that a spouse is justified in physically assaulting or abusing his wife. There is an important decrease in justification women abuse during the last ADHS survey. Only 7% of women and 11% of men justified woman abuse from her spouse in 2018 (accept at least one of the reasons specified as an excuse for a husband to physically assault his wife) compared with 30% of women and 36% of man in 2009. The level of education as well as the socio-economic status was inversely associated with the acceptance of wife beating.
Conclusion:Despite improvements in violence against women perception in Albania, this issue still remains problematic. Albanian society continues to be a patriarchal society, where violence against women is widely justified and accepted. There is an urgent need to raise awareness among relevant stakeholders on undertaking effective campaigns for combating violence against women and domestic violence.
Keywords:Albania, ADHS,violence, women.