Assessing the Impact of Domestic Violence on Women’s Involvement in Community Development Initiatives in Chalinze District

Abstract

This study examines the impact of domestic violence on women’s participation in community development initiatives in Chalinze District, Tanzania. Guided by the Ecological Framework, a convergent parallel mixed-methods design integrated a household survey with qualitative interviews (key officials) and two focus group discussions with women survivors. Quantitatively, over half of respondents reported being prevented from joining local projects (52.9%), feeling reluctant to assume community roles (55.4%), and withdrawing from initiatives due to family conflicts (53.7%). Social isolation was pronounced: deliberate isolation from friends/groups (52.3%), constrained freedom to socialize (55.9%), and avoidance of public gatherings due to shame or fear (55.4%). Civic participation also declined, with reduced leadership roles (55.4%), damaged civic reputation (55.9%), and diminished decision-making involvement (58.4%). Qualitative data deepened these insights, revealing three main pathways through which domestic violence undermines women's participation: (i) household conflicts that deter participation, (ii) deliberate partner-imposed isolation reinforced by stigma, and (iii) erosion of women’s leadership credibility and access to decision-making. The study concludes that domestic violence operates as both a personal and structural barrier, silencing women’s voices and weakening inclusive, sustainable community development. It recommends strengthening gender desks and social welfare services, intensifying norm-change campaigns, expanding women’s economic and leadership empowerment programs, enforcing protective laws, and institutionalizing multi-agency collaboration to restore women’s visibility and influence in local development.