The Prevalence, Determinants, and Health Risks of Domestic Violence in Gedeo and West Gujji Zones, Southern Ethiopia: An Evidence-based Study (Published)
This study was aimed at looking in to women’s experiences of violence in the home in
selected woreda’s of Gedeo and West Gujji Zones. Mixed research approach was employed to collect the required data from victims of domestic violence, police officers, and officials and experts in concerned government offices. The quantitative data collected was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 and thematic analysis method was employed for qualitative data. The result revealed those women’s accounts of abuse is a complex phenomenon because it includes various forms, ranging from humiliation, threats and social isolation to forced sex and battering. Violence against women runs along a range, often escalating from milder forms to more serious acts. The finding indicated that men who are physically abusive are also psychologically, economically and sexually abusive. In this study, Economic dependence, and transgressions of gender role were found to be the main causes of domestic violence. Alcoholism, jealousy and masculinity linked to dominance were also mentioned as factors of violence. Domestic violence has profound consequences on women’s overall well-being. The experience of domestic violence puts women at greater risk of physical, social, mental and health problems. With regard to response to domestic violence, the study shows that some abused women are not passive victims but rather adopt active strategies to maximize their and their children safety. As economic dependence was found to be the prominent cause for domestic violence the researchers suggest the integrated interventions of stakeholders to economic empowerment of women to scale up the capabilities of women in household decision making thereby reducing the likelihood of violence in the home. Furthermore, enforcing the existing legal frameworks related to domestic violence and enacting additional responsive regulations on domestic violence is imperative to protect the victims of domestic violence.
Keywords: Consequence of violence, Domestic Violence, Gedeo zone, West Gujji zone, causes of domestic violence.