PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains a critical public health issue globally, with significant implications for women, particularly those from marginalized ethnic communities. In the Philippines, IPV continues to affect women, with ethnic minority groups facing heightened vulnerability. This study investigates the lived experiences of ethnic minority women victims of IPV in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, between October 2021 and July 2022, employing a transcendental phenomenological approach. The research involved in-depth interviews with three purposively selected women who have experienced IPV. Experts validated the interview guide to ensure its relevance to the participants' socio-cultural contexts. Data analysis was conducted using Moustakas' (1994) Van Kaam method. The findings reveal sociocultural and several psychosocial factors contributing to IPV, including systemic gender inequality, economic dependency, and cultural norms (e.g., machismo and the idealization of a "good man"). These factors create an environment in which emotional, verbal, and physical abuse, along with alcoholism, are pervasive. The study also highlights the impact of intergenerational trauma in perpetuating cycles of abuse. The findings underscore the systemic nature of IPV, where entrenched cultural and economic structures reinforce violence. This research emphasizes the need for improved support services and culturally sensitive, gender-responsive policies that address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women. It also advocates for a multi-sectoral approach to address IPV more effectively. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on IPV in marginalized communities and highlights the importance of integrating gender equality principles into public health policies.