Gendered Pathways to Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Awareness: The Structuration Theory Analysis

Abstract

This study is anchored on Structural Theory, and it aims to determine how structural (education, occupation, income), cultural (sociocultural norms, religious beliefs), and institutional (media exposure, educational intervention) factors influence community awareness of the nature of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC). Quantitative research design was utilized, with cross-sectional survey data collected from 167 respondents and analyzed using inferential statistics. Results from t-tests, ANOVA, and hierarchical and moderated multiple regression analyses indicate that institutional resources (media exposure) are the most powerful drivers of awareness, cultural factors (patriarchal sociocultural norms) are the primary constraints, and structural factors (educational attainment) are the key enablers of awareness of the nature of violent acts and the legal protections available to victims. The findings also reveal a duality within cultural structures, highlighting that the influence of religious beliefs on awareness is positive while the influence of the sociocultural norms within traditional communities is negative. Moreover, sex moderates these pathways for awareness. On one hand, it enhances the effect of media on legal awareness and the effect of religious belief on awareness of violent acts. On the other hand, it weakens the influence of patriarchal sociocultural norms on both types of awareness. These findings advance an understanding of the primary drivers and barriers to VAWC awareness and the importance of media, cultural intelligence, and gendered structuration. Based on this understanding, integrated strategies that leverage institutional factors in culturally intelligent ways, gender-specific programs to counter the patriarchal attitude towards violence against women and children, and institutionalizing VAWC education are key to increasing community awareness of VAWC.