THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE EXISTING AGAINST WOMEN OF KIRU TOWN COUNCIL IN ABIM DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

This study assessed the knowledge of gender-based violence existing against women (15-49) years of Kiru town council in Abim district.

 Methodology

The study adopted a sectional study design using quantitative research methods. Multi-stage sampling was used for a sample size of 152 women of reproductive age. The Faculty of Public Health of Lira University requested ethical approval to carry out the research. Data was collected using pre-piloted, structured interview-administered questionnaires. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 23 software in two levels of Univariate and bivariate, and the analysis was conducted using descriptive and regression analysis procedures.

 Results

The knowledge of respondents towards gender-based violence considered in this study is based on the majority of respondents that experienced physical abuse with 57.2%, sexual abuse with 43.4%, and emotional abuse with 34.9%. The majority of the respondents experienced their last episode of gender-based within (1-5) years 40.8%, majority of respondents did not experience any episode of gender-based violence within the last 12 months 41.4%. The most common form of physical abuse experienced by respondents was being beaten with or without an object 79.6% and the majority of respondents experienced inappropriate sexual suggestions from either their partners or anybody else 15.1% as a common form of sexual abuse.

 Conclusion

30.3% of women (15-49) years have ever experienced GBV in their lifetime. This shows that there’s a need to carry out health education in Kirutown council to create more awareness about the dangers of GBV against women (15-49) years

 Recommendation

To the community of Kiru town council

Community members should speak out against harmful gender norms, stereotypes, and attitudes that perpetuate GBV and also challenge sexist language, jokes, and behaviors in their personal and professional circles.