ISSN 2736-1578
African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2736-1578 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Perceptions and Contributing Factors of Gender-Based Violence among Young Adults in Southern Nigeria: A Mixed-Method Expository Study
Valentine Chidi Obidile1, Antor Odu Ndep1, Sampson Akwafuo2, Onyeka Chukwudalu Ekwebene3, Chidozie Precious Azubike1, Lois Ezinne Obidile-Ikwegbu4, David Kator Igbudu5
1Department of Public Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
2Department of Computer Science, California State University, Fullerton, USA.
3Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
4Department of Nursing Services, Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital, Abuja Nigeria.
5Heartland Alliance LTD/GE Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria.
Accepted 10 April, 2023
Abstract
Gender based violence (GBV) connotes harmful acts carried out against individuals based on socially attributable differences of their gender. Globally, women are the major victims of gender-based violence. Hence, the term violence against women is often used interchangeably with gender-based violence. This paper presents a community-based cross sectional and expository study about GBV in some southern states of Nigeria. The study population comprised consenting young adults aged between 15-39 years. A total number of 426 copies of the questionnaire were administered to respondents by the research team. Majority of the respondents were aware of the factors that may promote gender-based violence in their immediate societies, with 59.6% young adults indicating that their communities frown at gender-based violence. Far-reaching revelations about knowledge and percentage of GBV in this region are presented too. Men acting as sole decision makers and ignorance were the most identified factors associated with gender-based violence, as well as a lower level of education. Other findings from this study could improve programming by non-governmental organizations for social and gender-related violence activities. The government should invest in formal education as education elevates the socio-economic status of women, a major deterrent to gender-based violence.
Keywords: Gender-based violence; Young adults; Violence; Women health; Nigeria; Africa.