| Abstract: | Gender-Based Violence (GBV) affects between 10 and 70% of women
worldwide, rape and domestic violence accounting for 10-50% healthy–
years lost by women. School-based GBV represents a serious obstacle
through physical harm, severe psychological and scholastic adverse
consequences. As a result, it would be a threat for the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to
education and gender equality. Therefore, this research was undertaken to
assess the prevalence, outcome and associated factors of GBV among female
students of Debre Markos University. Methodologically, we included 766
female students from all departments of the university. GBV was assessed
using self-administered questionnaires adapted from WHO multi-country
study on women‟s health and life events. For qualitative data (in depth
interviews (IDI) and focused-group discussions (FGD) were carried out.
Male students, family members and partners were the main perpetrators.
Factors significantly associated with GBV were areas where female students
were grown up, academic status, witnessing parental conflict during
childhood, non-disclosure of sexual and reproductive issues with families,
and family control. Therefore, we recommend that information; education
and behavior change activities aimed at preventing GBV and changing
social norms on the use of violence must be implemented and strengthened
within the campus and the community. |
