PERCEPTIONS OF THE FORMS AND EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE

PERCEPTIONS OF THE FORMS AND EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE

Abstract:

This study focused on investigating the Perceptions of the Forms and Effects of domestic violence on women’s health in Zaria Communities of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was conducted in four communities within Zaria. The objectives were to identify and describe the forms of domestic violence on women’s health; explore the nature and prevalence of domestic violence on women’s health; examine factors that enhances domestic violence on women’s health; identify the effects of domestic violence on women’s health; strategies adopted by victims to cope with domestic violence and recommending ways of mitigating the incidence of domestic violence on women’s health. Liberal Feminist Theory served as the theoretical framework for this study with its basic assumptions that: as the dominant class, men have differential access to material and symbolic resources thus women are devalued as secondary and inferior; intimate partner abuse is a predictable and common dimension of normal family life; women’s experiences are often defined as inferior because male dominance influences all aspects of life. Information was derived from a sample of 186 respondents of age 10- 30 years and above, four in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted. The findings revealed that, domestic violence exist in the community with the most common forms as Sexual Assault 30 %( 55) and Spouse Battering 22 %( 41). As a consequence, its victims suffer effects like bruises/injuries 54 %( 100), swollen body parts and stress related injuries 52 %( 96). Findings also show that, factors that enhance domestic violence include age of marriage, how marriages are concluded and socioeconomic status. In addition, findings showed that reasons for the existence of domestic violence leading to poor health status of women were attributed to poverty, non-challant attitudes of spouse, and disobedience among couple. As a coping mechanism, the findings revealed some respondents tend to have very interactive relationships with their children, isolate themselves, become depressed, others accepted their situations and turn to God in prayers. The respondents recommended that: perpetrators must face the law; prayers should be implored; counseling and dialogue should be implemented; cases of domestic violence should be reported on time to parents and community leaders.

PERCEPTIONS OF THE FORMS AND EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE