Socio-economic and socio-cultural factors Influencing gender based violence incidences in Khwisero district
Abstract
Gender Based Violence has remained a major challenge for the governments around the
world. Kenya in particular has suffered for long over gender based violence both in urban
and rural areas. Despite the effort by the government and donor agencies in addressing
gender based violence, the vice has remained an issue especially in Khwisero District.
This study was therefore carried out to establish the socio economic and socio cultural
factors influencing gender based violence incidences in Khwisero District. More
specifically, the study was guided by the following objectives: To establish the extent to
which demographic characteristics of women and men in the study area influenced
gender based violence incidences in Khwisero District, to determine the extent to which
alcohol use influenced gender based violence incidences in Khwisero District, to
establish the extent to which women's economic status influenced incidences of gender
based violence and to determine the extent to which cultural factors influenced gender
based violence incidences in Khwisero District. A descriptive research design was
adopted since it employs both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A sample size of
350 households was selected from a target population of 23,574 households using
Fischer's formula and distributed to all 20 sub locations using probability sampling. Data
was collected using a questionnaire, which was administered to women and men found in
households, key informant interviews with National Administrators, Officer
Commanding Police Station, NGO representative and health workers. Simple random
sampling technique was applied in selecting the respondents in each household. The
statistical tools that were used for analyzing the data include descriptive statistics with the
aid of computer software Statistic Package for Social Scientists and a relationship
between variables was determined through cross tabulation and chi square. The findings
of the study are that majority 206 (or 61.7 %.) had experienced physical violence, few
talked of experiencing sexual violence at 58 (or 17.4%) while economic violence was at
127 (or 38%). The result of chi-square analysis shows there were no significant
relationship between the age of respondents and the incidences of gender based violence,
age and physical violence (x2 = 10.587, p<O.Ol), age and economic violence (x2 =
26.220, p<O.Ol), age and sexual violence (x2 = 11.895, p<O.Ol).Further analysis showed
no significant relationship between physical violence and education level (x2=4.881,
p<O.Ol) ,education level and sexual violence (x2=8.731, p<O.Ol) and education level and
economic violence (x2=10.224,p<0.01)correlation analysis showed significant
relationship between physical violence and household size (x2= 22.675, p<O.Ol), sexual
violence and household size (x2= 26.864 p<O.Ol), and economic violence and household
size (x2=27.386 p<O.Ol). The study also observed that 183(0r.52.7%) of the respondents
strongly agreed alcohol consumption by partner increased gender based violence
incidences while 26 (or 8%) strongly disagreed. It is, therefore, the recommendation of
this study that efforts should be made by the county government and Non-Governmental
Organizations to ensure that women and men in Khwisero are economically empowered
so that they do not rely on their partners who take advantage and continually abuse them.
The national administration should regulate alcohol consumption in Khwisero District
particularly the local brew through strict enforcement of the Alcoholic Drinks Control
Act 2010.It is therefore concluded based on the findings of the research that gender based
violence is a common problem among the community in the study area.
Citation
Master Of Art Degree In Project Planning And Management,Publisher
University of Nairobi,
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5964]