Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is recognized as a global public health concern with widespread implications for human rights, transcending boundaries of race, social class, culture, and religion. Research indicates that IPV is more prevalent than non-intimate violence, often leading to long-lasting consequences, and is seen occurring predominantly from men to women.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the conceptualization and narratives of female perpetrators regarding their IPV perpetration towards men, including the factors contributing to these behaviours.

Methods Nine incarcerated females aged over 18 convicted of perpetrating IPV participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Results The analysis revealed three main themes: (1) understanding of IPV despite limited education, indicating awareness among participants about IPV and its nature; (2) experiences of IPV and perpetration, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of IPV incidents, often preceded by prolonged suffering within the relationship; (3) factors contributing to IPV perpetration, including childhood exposure to violence and continued exposure to IPV in the relationship.

Conclusions These findings shed light on the phenomenon of female-perpetrated IPV in Mozambique. They underscore the need for tailored prevention and intervention programs to address the psychological trauma experienced by women incarcerated for IPV perpetration.