This study demonstrates the relationship between female education and intimate partner violence
(IPV), using the nationally represented demographic health survey (DHS 2012-2013) for
Pakistan. Education has a negative association with IPV. But this association only holds true for
women having higher education (16 years) and experiencing less severe forms of violence. It is
further differentiated at rural, urban samples and amongst women of different socio-economic
statuses. The effects of higher education are seen to disproportionately benefit women of
relatively higher economic status, in rural samples. In urban samples, however women of all
economic status benefit from higher education. These findings are consistent with studies which
indicate the relationship between education and IPV to be highly interdependent with the socioeconomic
status and the placement of the woman. However, education plays a ubiquitous role in
changing female attitudes towards IPV. Educated women, at all educational levels, demonstrate
less favorable attitudes towards IPV compared to uneducated women. And this association is
consistent amongst both rural, urban samples and across all socio-economic levels.