Exploring the Perception of Married Women on the Increasing Disputes Among Married Couples in Dodoma.

Chaula, Averino (2025) Exploring the Perception of Married Women on the Increasing Disputes Among Married Couples in Dodoma. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This qualitative study explored married women’s perceptions of increasing marital conflicts in Dodoma, Tanzania, with a specific focus on the root causes, the influence of economic factors, and the coping and resolution mechanisms adopted by women. Guided by Feminist Standpoint Theory, the study employed in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with purposively selected participants to capture rich, contextualized narratives. The findings revealed that marital conflict is often driven by emotional neglect, poor communication, infidelity, and the pressures of gendered expectations. Economic factors—both financial hardship and women’s economic empowerment—emerged as critical triggers of conflict, often shaped by entrenched patriarchal norms. Coping strategies ranged from silence, prayer, and extended family mediation to professional counseling and economic self-reliance, though many were constrained by cultural expectations of endurance. The study concludes that marital conflict cannot be disentangled from structural gender inequalities and calls for gender-transformative interventions that promote women’s agency, equitable relationships, and culturally responsive support systems. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on gender, power, and marital dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa. Keywords: Marital conflict, married women, gender norms, economic factors, coping strategies, Feminist Standpoint Theory, , social structures.

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