Prevalence of Gender Based Violence for having Girl Child, Women’s Reaction and Empowerment among Mothers Attending Postpartum OPD in a Selected Medical College, West Bengal

Abstract

Background: Gender based violence is a global problem and is still a key concern in developing countries. A survey was undertaken to assess prevalence of gender based violence for having girl child, women’s reaction and empowerment among mothers. Methods: The conceptual framework was based on “The Duluth Model”. Clearance from the institutional ethical committee and individual consent were taken. Descriptive survey design was adopted. From the population of postnatal women 162 were selected as sample by purposive sampling technique from postnatal OPD. Final data were collected for 6 weeks by using a validated and reliable semi-structured interview schedule (r = 0.98) and structured interview schedule (r = 0.83). Result: The study findings revealed that 22.83% women faced gender based violence. Majority faced emotional violence (59%) and sexual violence (57%). Women’s no rejection towards girl child was 91.35% whereas only 8.64% had indifferent view. In the domain of women empowerment 64.19% expressed as well empowered but decision making in the area of political (38.8%), economical (19.75%) and educational (12.96%) was poor. The association between gender based violence and women empowerment is statistically significant (chi2 value = 48.03*, p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that gender based violence is till now a case of concern for our society and country. The study has it’s implication in the field of nursing practice for awareness on violence and women’s right during pregnancy and after child birth.