Luanda, Sept. 15, 2026 (Lusa) - Angola's National Statistics Institute (INE) announced on Tuesday that nearly one-third of women in the country have experienced some form of violence, with the provinces of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul showing the highest prevalence of multiple forms of abuse.
According to the Gender Report, based on the Multiple Indicator and Health Inquiry (IIMS 2023–2024), presented today by the INE, at least 31.5% of women in Angola have experienced some form of violence and 22.8% have endured physical violence at the hands of a partner.
The inquiry assessed domestic violence, particularly that perpetrated by an intimate partner, covering physical, sexual and psychological forms, amongst a sample of 14,717 participants, with 30.7% eligible for the violence module, according to the INE.
The analysis indicates that 31.5% of respondents had experienced some form of violence, 22.2% had experienced psychological violence, 22.8% had experienced physical violence, whilst sexual violence (6.3%) was the least prevalent.
Younger women aged between 20 and 24 showed the highest risk of exposure to domestic violence, followed by women aged 25 to 29 and 30 to 34. The prevalence gradually decreased in the 45 to 49 age group.
The study highlights that people with no formal education experienced the highest levels of physical (26.3%) and psychological (21.4%) violence. Rural women experienced higher rates of physical violence (26.3%) compared with urban women (20.6%).
The presence of polygamy was also associated with violence: women in polygamous relationships reported lower levels of sexual (6.1 %) and psychological (17.7 %) violence than those in monogamous relationships, but higher levels of physical violence (18.2 % compared with 28.2 %).
The report, compiled by INE with the support of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Population Fund, also addressed the geographical distribution of domestic violence.
The provinces of Lunda Norte (49.4%) and Lunda Sul (48%), Luanda and Cuanza Norte (38.2% each), and Cuanza Sul (31.4%) had the highest prevalence of multiple forms of abuse against women.
According to the survey, respondents cited child neglect (8.5%) and arguments with their spouse (7.3%), the partner leaving without warning (6.1%), refusal to have sex (3.7%) or burning food (3.4%) as reasons for violence against women.
In addition to the Gender Report, the National Statistics Institute (INE) also presented, on that occasion, the Thematic Report on Adolescent Fertility in Angola.
Angola's Secretary of State for Planning, Luís Epalanga, in his opening address at the ceremony to present the reports, noted that these reflect results which demonstrate «remarkable progress, persistent challenges, but, above all, immense opportunities» to stimulate Angola's socio-economic development.
«The production of high-quality statistics is not an end in itself. Rather, it is an essential tool for ensuring that every public investment meets the real needs of the population and has a tangible impact on improving the living conditions of our people,» the minister emphasised.
Sexual and reproductive health, economic empowerment, autonomy and decision-making, gender-based violence, marriage and sexual activity, financial literacy, disability and socio-economic status are some of the areas covered by the reports presented today in Luanda.
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