PERCEPTION AND UNDERSTANDING OF MERANAW MARRIED WOMEN ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: AN EXPLORATORY QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Violence against women (VAW) remains a persistent issue shaped by intersecting social, cultural, and religious factors. Among the Meranaw, perceptions of VAW are deeply influenced by Islamic values, patriarchal traditions, and the cultural construct of maratabat (honor), which collectively inform how women recognize and respond to abuse.

Methods: An exploratory–descriptive qualitative design was used involving twenty-two (22) Meranaw married women from Marawi City. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted between August and September 2025 and analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s framework. Ethical approval was secured from the Mindanao State University Research Ethics Committee (REC Code: 2025-019).

Results: Three major themes emerged: (1) Broad and Contextualized Understandings of VAW) participants perceived violence not only as physical harm but also as emotional, verbal, and economic abuse situated within marital and social expectations; (2) Religion and Culture as Lenses of Meaning) Islamic principles were interpreted through patriarchal norms, often promoting endurance and silence to preserve family honor; and (3) Awareness of Abuse Typologies) while women recognized multiple forms of abuse, many normalized psychological and economic control as part of marital duty.

Conclusion: VAW among Meranaw women is rooted in intertwined religious, cultural, and socio-economic structures. Addressing it requires culturally attuned, faith-sensitive interventions that promote women’s empowerment and reinterpret faith in support of equality and justice.