Table 2.

Descriptions given for intimate partner violence against women by themes, sub-categories and selected codes, East Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia, December 2011 to January 2012

Themes	Sub-category	Codes
Attitudes towards IPVAW	Accepting IPVAW	Approve, tradition, tolerance of women, community norms, controlling
	Not accepting IPVAW	Hair split argument, give advice, sanction, exclude from Edir, no support
Woman’s reaction	Tolerate	keeping silent, silently live, weep and live, feeling shame
	Seek help	Tell, Women’s Affairs, elders, police, kebele leaders, courts, relatives, neighbours
	Leave home	Separate temporarily or permanently, divorce, disappear
	Self defense	Fight back, beat him, use force, disregard
Suggested measures at various levels	Individual level	Create awareness on education, economic issue, females right
	Family level	Hold discussions on family issue, understand each other
	Community level	Change attitudes and beliefs through mass education, school and religious activities
	Society level	Raise awareness on legal codes and related services, gender roles, advocacy