Women’s Status in Refusing Marital Rape and Its Associated Factors in Ethiopia

Human right instruments underscore that wives have the right to refuse marital rape. This stu dy was aimed to assess women’s status in refusing marital rape and its associated factors. The study used data from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of Ethiopia. The sample (n=8,695) was limited to married women. To examine associated factors, socio-demographic variables were computed using logistic regression. The finding revealed that the majority (53.73%) of married women did not refuse marital rape. Education and economic status of women were positively associated with women’s status in refusing marital rape. Women whose age 35-49 years old (AOR=.277;95%CI=.088,.876), being a housewife (AOR=.839;95%CI=.757,.929), and women who got their marriage by others decision (AOR=.761;95%CI=.682,.849) were less likely refuse marital rape. Women who drink alcohol (AOR=1.232;95%CI=1.053,1.442) were more likely to refuse marital rape. In conclusion, women’s status in refusing marital rape is low. Accordingly, addressing its associated hindering factors is necessary.