Abstract:
Intimate partner violence is a problem that affects women worldwide. It is a form of gender-based violence usually where women / victims are violated and abused by their male intimate partners. The issue of intimate partner violence (IPV) has become a public health concern, in addition, it violates women’s human rights. South African studies indicate that intimate partner violence prevalence’s rates are high despite the intervention programmes that have been designed to address IPV. This study aimed at exploring the experiences of women who had been victims of intimate partner violence in a non-profit organization in Blouberg Municipality, Limpopo Province. The study employed a qualitative research approach, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Eight participants were selected based on purposive sampling and data was gathered from them using semi-structured interviews. The ecological model and feminist theory as the conceptual frameworks were used to interpret the women’s lived experiences. The findings of the study indicate that women suffer from immense psychological and social effects of their experiences. These effects include - isolation, depression and suicidal ideations. Among some of the recommendations, are that the government should hire more qualified social practitioners, especially, in the rural communities and for stakeholders to address, more diligently, IPV in rural areas to promote gender equality
