Using a new dataset, we investigate the determinants of violence against women in Africa. We focus on cultural factors arising from pre-colonial customs and find evidence consistent with two hypotheses. First, ancient socioeconomic conditions determine social norms about gender roles, family structures and intrafamily violence which persist even when the initial conditions change. Norms about marriage patterns, living arrangements and the productive role of women are associated with contemporary violence. Second, women’s contemporary economic role affects violence in a complex way which is itself related to traditional norms in ancient times and current bargaining power within the marriage.

中文翻译：

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暴力侵害妇女行为：非洲的跨文化分析

使用新数据集，我们调查了非洲针对妇女的暴力行为的决定因素。我们关注源自前殖民习俗的文化因素，并找到与两个假设一致的证据。首先，古老的社会经济条件决定了关于性别角色、家庭结构和家庭内部暴力的社会规范，即使初始条件发生变化，这些规范也会持续存在。关于婚姻模式、生活安排和妇女生产作用的规范与当代暴力有关。其次，女性当代的经济角色以复杂的方式影响暴力，这本身与古代的传统规范和当前婚姻中的议价能力有关。