Violence against women and socio-economic well-being in Jirapa, north-western Ghana

Abstract

The incidence of gender-based violence against women has been on the rise globally. While a multitude of factors accounts for the problem generally, there are location-specific nuances. This paper investigated gender-based violence against women in the Jirapa area of north-western Ghana using a mixed method approach covering one hundred and forty sampled victims. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, and key informant interviews. Among others, violence against women in the Jirapa area is increasing despite several policy interventions made. Alcohol abuse on the part of males, cultural practices including patriarchal inheritance, abduction of girls for marriage, wife battering, low educational attainment and poor access, ownership, and control over resources among women are the causes of gender-based violence in the area. The study revealed that gender-based violence has negatively impacted the socio-economic well-being of women in the Jirapa area and threw their futures into jeopardy. The findings also show that the violence meted out to women in the study area negatively affected their socioeconomic well-being. The study concludes that the incidences of violence against women in the area are deeply rooted in the culture of the people and are regarded as a norm. It is recommended that stakeholders (chiefs, NGOs, and the Local Government Authority) create better access to resources and stem the tide of gender-based violence in the area. Enforcement of the law must also be done by the Ghana Police Service devoid of fear of reprisals or fervour.