Sexual Violence Against Female Students in Secondary Schools: The Case of Lem Secondary School (Addis Ababa City)

Abstract

The study was carried out in November, 2013 with a total sample size of 150 female Lem secondary school students. To find out different forms of sexual violence and its contributory factors deep investigation was made. The study was a cross-sectional in design. Questionnaire and FGD were the major tools employed in the data gathering operation. The study result indicates that rape (21percent) and attempted rape (25 percent). The likelihood of acquiring HIV/AIDS among female students was also reported to be 29.9 percent. Moreover, contraceptive use 75.2 percent and knowledge of self protecting from unwanted pregnancy were revealed 84.2 percent. To keep them safe from HIV infection 77.3 percent of the participant students’ preference was abstinence. On the other hand, the finding of the study indicated that 9.7 percent of the rape victims had a habit of chewing chat and multiple sexual partners (60 percent) were indicated as the major route to HIV transmission. Added to this, patriarchal norms, living arrangement of the students and location of Lem secondary school at Bole sub city were found to be the major contributory factors to sexual violence. Finally, to tackle the problem, sex education at school level and awareness creation would be vital. The study by itself has no less importance in tackling the problem in the making.