EFFECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN FARMING ACTIVITIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Domestic violence against women in agricultural households presents a multifaceted challenge affecting both the individuals involved and broader agricultural productivity. The objective of the study was to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; examine the nature of domestic violence prevalent in the study area; identify the causes of domestic violence and determine the level of participation of women in farming activities; and examine the effect of domestic violence on women farming activities in the study area. Multi-stage sampling and random sampling techniques were used to select 180 respondents for the study. The primary data obtained using a well-structured questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a three-point Likert scale. The result showed that reveals that the majority (56.7%) of the respondents were between the age range of 26 – 45 years, 86.7% were married and all the respondents had some form of formal education. Further investigation revealed that physical violence, sexual violence, emotional violence, economic violence, and psychological violence were prevalent in the study area. The farming activities participated by women included planting, harvesting, land clearing, bush burning, processing, irrigation, decision making, farm labor, marketing, farm groups, extension activities, family discussions, and farm programs. This violence significantly impacts women's ability to engage effectively in farming activities, leading to reduced income, loss of assets, and diminished productivity. The major effects of violence on farming activities of the respondents in the study area were reduced income, lack of strength to continue with farming activities, lack of concentration on farming activities, reduced time devoted to farming activities, and loss of ownership of farm or asset. Based on the findings, to reduce the ugly incidence of domestic violence against women in the study area, there is a need to mandate law enforcement agencies by the government to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of domestic violence against women in the study area, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions to address domestic violence against women in agricultural households, promoting gender equality, women's empowerment, and agricultural development for food security and economic prosperity.