Women Enjoy Punishment: Attitudes and Experiences of Gender-Based Violence among PHC Nurses in Rural South Africa

This paper describes the nurses’ attitudes and beliefs regarding gender-based violence, as well as their experiences of such abuse - both as professionals, and as members of their families and communities. It then situates these observations within emerging international efforts to raise awareness and capacity to address domestic violence within the nursing profession. Finally, in light of these findings, this paper raises key questions and concerns which need to be examined within emerging strategies which envision health care workers as one means of addressing violence against women in South Africa. [author’s description]