The Association Between Women's Empowerment and Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Afghanistan.

This study examines the association between women's empowerment—measured by educational attainment and economic status—and physical intimate partner violence (PIPV) in Afghanistan, where nearly half of women have experienced PIPV. Using data from the nationally representative Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey 2015, the analysis finds that higher levels of women's education and income relative to their husbands are significantly associated with lower odds of experiencing PIPV. Additionally, husbands' higher education levels and women's exposure to mass media correlate with reduced PIPV risk, while rural residence and lower household wealth increase vulnerability. The findings highlight the protective role of educational and economic empowerment against PIPV and suggest policy interventions focusing on women's education, adult education for men, and mass media awareness campaigns to mitigate violence in the Afghan context.