Prevalence and factors contributing to gender based violence towards women in Lusaka urban, Zambia

Abstract

Gender based violence (GBV) is defined as an act of violence that results in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to a person. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in five of the world‟s female population has been physically and sexually abused at some time in Sub-Saharan Africa. The proportion of women who experienced physical violence was between 13 and 45%. Zambia is ranked as having the highest number of GBV in Southern Africa, however there is little known about the prevalence and factors contributing to the vice in Lusaka urban. This study sought to determine the prevalence and explore factors contributing to GBV towards women in Lusaka urban. The study used a descriptive cross sectional design with a structured interview schedule administered to GBV victims aged between 19 to 49 years. Total of 229 respondents participated in the study. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 22. The results confirmed the prevalence of GBV towards women in Lusaka urban. The prevalence of physical abuse was at 44%,while psychological was 42%, and sexual was 16%. The study also revealed that alcohol abuse by perpetrators was associated with GBV towards women in Lusaka urban, as it was found that 90.4%. Based on the above findings the Government of the republic of Zambia (GRZ) should hasten the implementation of the alcohol policy in order to reduce GBV cases. Keywords; Gender Based Violence, Alcohol abuse, pepetrator