PERCEPTION OF WOMEN ON SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE

Abstract

Sexual and gender issues have been a problem in Africa and in Nigeria in particular where females were considered less important than their male counterparts in their families, cooperatives, businesses, academic matters among others. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is deeply rooted in many cultural and traditional values. It is regarded as a normal attitude, remains hidden and tacitly condoned. It has devastating health impacts on the women, as women are mostly controlled and dominated by their partners in a relationship and must never complain of sexual harassment and in the case of childlessness; the woman must accept it as her fault. This study was located in Nsukka Local Government area of Enugu State. A cross sectional survey of 200 study participants was conducted. The instruments used for data collection were structured 194 questionnaire and6 in-depth interview guide. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), frequency distribution tables and chi-square (χ²) for hypotheses. The findings from the study stated that sexual/psychological, physical violence and preference of male child are the major forms of GBV in Nsukka, Enugu State. Majority of the respondents (55.7%) indicated that Spiritual manipulation and illiteracy/ignorance are the major causes of GBV. The study also concluded and recommended that mass sensitization/awareness, empowerment, advocacy by social workers, through domestication of the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), will help curb GBV as indicated by 42.7% of the respondents.